55 Gallon Tank Help with a stand for new tank

Hey everybody,

I got a 55-gallon tank from my science teacher I need to reseal it with silicone then I'll be ready to start setting up and cycling...

Its going to go in out living room and i don't have a table, cabinet or stand for it to go onto.

The tank dimensions are 122cm long, 35cm wide and 49cm tall.

I saw this buffet/cabinet/stand think with ideal diamentions on catch.com website... do you think it could hold a 55gal tank with rocks and substrate??

Foret 120cm Buffet Sideboard Cabinet Shoe Storage Hallway Table Kitchen Shelf Cupboard White

I was just going to do a DIY stand and make it myself but my parents said its going to look silly (a DIY stand) and i should just buy one instead....

Im try to find something kinda cheap because i wanna spend my savings on the fish, lighting, filtration etc...not a wooden box...

So please give me your thoughts on this cabinet holding up a 55 gallon tank??

Thanks in advanced,
Peter

 

Make sure it's flat. Years ago I put a 40 long on a stand I built, and it sprang a leak. I wouldn't try today cause I'm sure my woodworking skillz aren't good enough.

 

Make sure it's flat. Years ago I put a 40 long on a stand I built, and it sprang a leak. I wouldn't try today cause I'm sure my woodworking skillz aren't good enough.

ill make sure its level if I buy one or make one.... the current stand in the location has a 20gal tank and its level so should be ok.

do you think the link to the cabinet could hold a 55gal tank??

 

It's difficult to tell just looking at the pictures, but it looks light duty to me. The top has no support across the front and the back looks like it may just be a thin panel only designed for coverage, not support. If you can see it in person or talk to the manufacture that would help.

 

It's difficult to tell just looking at the pictures, but it looks light duty to me. The top has no support across the front and the back looks like it may just be a thin panel only designed for coverage, not support. If you can see it in person or talk to the manufacture that would help.

thanks for your opinion KindOscar,

if i was to buy some 2x4 panels or something like that and removed the shelving and made some support beams in the middle to support the top do you think that could work, like when you do a DIY stand with beams in the middle and possibly also do on the sides and corners??

 

Sure, if you're confident in your skills and reinforced it properly it would work. You could even fit the shelves back in. Need to inspect to determine what is needed. It could be more work than finding something ready to go.

 

Sure, if you're confident in your skills and reinforced it properly it would work. You could even fit the shelves back in. Need to inspect to determine what is needed. It could be more work than finding something ready to go.

Agreed, the issue is most of my lfs make you buy a tank with a stand and they don't sell stands separately, I've already got the tank just need a stand...

Well I do woodwork at school and I'm an A grade student in woodwork and my brother who is now a civil engineer won the wood work prizes at school when he finished a few years ago so I think together we could make it structurally sound.

Ill try standing on it outside and carry something heavy hopefully that will get it close to the weight of 55gal tank... ill only know when I try I guess?

 

Agreed, the issue is most of my lfs make you buy a tank with a stand and they don't sell stands separately, I've already got the tank just need a stand...

Well I do woodwork at school and I'm an A grade student in woodwork and my brother who is now a civil engineer won the wood work prizes at school when he finished a few years ago so I think together we could make it structurally sound.

Ill try standing on it outside and carry something heavy hopefully that will get it close to the weight of 55gal tank... ill only know when I try I guess?

In that case I say go for it. The unit obviously has the look you want and you and your brother certainly have the skills to reinforce it properly. Even most store aquarium stands are light, but they work because they have all the supports needed in all the right areas. Look at them closely and go from there. (and then "over build" a bit) Done right your finished stand will be stronger and more secure than a cheap stand. If you decide to move ahead, please post pics!

 

In that case I say go for it. The unit obviously has the look you want and you and your brother certainly have the skills to reinforce it properly. Even most store aquarium stands are light, but they work because they have all the supports needed in all the right areas. Look at them closely and go from there. (and then "over build" a bit) Done right your stand will be stronger and more secure than a cheap stand. If you decide to move ahead, please post pics!

Well i was going to build from scratch and paint black to hide imperfections but the room has mostly white walls and cupboards so painting cheap wood white would look bad IMO. I saw this online and it is the right size for me, nice colour and is cheap enough...

Ill go ahead and order it soon but I've still got 2 weeks or so till the school term finishes and I cant reseal the tank or fix the stand till then....

Thanks for your support and ill post here when things get moving a bit more...

Peter

 

Just another option before you buy. Check you online market place Craigslist and OfferUp for used buffet tables. There usually sold cheap. You can repaint them and it should hold the weight. Bought this 4’ stand for $75. Ethan Allen furniture. Tank on right.

 

With the combined skill and knowledge of you and your brother, I would do it.

Ill try standing on it outside and carry something heavy hopefully that will get it close to the weight of 55gal tank... ill only know when I try I guess?

A full 55 gal tank weighs 625 lbs / 283 kilos.

 

We built this stand for our 55 out of 2x4’s and painted it or another option is cinderblocks and a couple pieces of 3/4” plywood… here is our 29. You can always pick up some fabric and tack it on to cover the filter and supplies and still have east access to stuff.

 

Ok just another reason I suggest the buffet table. Here in the states the price of wood is off the charts. Easy well over $200 for the wood to build a stand. Now these buffet tables are just so far out of style that they sell dirt cheap. The older the better. They are very strong and better made than any comericial tank stand sold today.

 

Ok just another reason I suggest the buffet table. Here in the states the price of wood is off the charts. Easy well over $200 for the wood to build a stand. Now these buffet tables are just so far out of style that they sell dirt cheap. The older the better. They are very strong and better made than any comericial tank stand sold today.

I agree older furniture is a great option if you can find something. I have built several stands which look nice and function well but none are truly "furniture quality" in the appearance department. And sometimes that's what you want in a certain room. But maybe the wood shop team could do better!

 

Thanks all I have shown my arents the options of stands online and there thinking about which they think suits the house must then I think I'll buy it and reinforce it