Opinions on converting pine Dresser > Stand

Not sure if I posted in correct category. *Sorry*
I found a pine dresser/hutch for $40.00
I have a 29 Gallon tank I am ecstatic to set up, buy am waiting to set up until I have adequate stand. Every single "aquarium stand" across Petco, Petsmart, Wal-Mart & Amazon under $300 are all made out of particle board- I have gone through 6 book shelves made of particle board in 10 years, so I just can't trust it. Anyways, back to my thoughts, does anyone have experience doing this? The seller agreed to meet tomorrow so I could have a look at it, it's only 15 minutes away. He sent me the dimensions, it's wide enough, and made from pine. Figured I'd ask some more experienced people. Maybe it's just the time of year- I can't find a solid stand because there's great sales going on & people snatch up them up quickly online!

 

No professional here, but looks safe enough to me.

 

I'd feel better about it if it was only slightly larger than the tank in both directions. That way the weight from the tank would be distributed directly over the legs of the furniture, but if it really is solid wood it will probably be okay.

 

You can find quality metal stands for $50 to $80 for a 29 (but one could argue they can be an eye sore - aqueon makes on that isn't too bad).

Here is the aqueon one - you can find it cheaper elsewhere if you look and are patient:
https://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-Forge-Metal-Aquarium-12-Inch/dp/B00SZ5ERV0/

(there are plain metal stand for as low as $50)

Having said that as long as the dresser is true solid wood and the legs are solid it should be fine. A 29 isn't that heavy (approx 330 lbs when full) and solid wood should be more than adequate.

One thing you must test before using it is ensure the top is flat. If the top is warped or does not support the tank evenly it can cause the tank to break.... which is quite a bit more expensive than a stand even if it is $300. Btw rj enterprise makes a series of solid wood stands and you can order a custom stand from glasscages but unless you live near them shipping is $$$$$$$$$.

 

You can find quality metal stands for $50 to $80 for a 29 (but one could argue they can be an eye sore - aqueon makes on that isn't too bad).

Here is the aqueon one - you can find it cheaper elsewhere if you look and are patient:
https://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-Forge-Metal-Aquarium-12-Inch/dp/B00SZ5ERV0/

(there are plain metal stand for as low as $50)

Having said that as long as the dresser is true solid wood and the legs are solid it should be fine. A 29 isn't that heavy (approx 330 lbs when full) and solid wood should be more than adequate.

One thing you must test before using it is ensure the top is flat. If the top is warped or does not support the tank evenly it can cause the tank to break.... which is quite a bit more expensive than a stand even if it is $300. Btw rj enterprise makes a series of solid wood stands and you can order a custom stand from glasscages but unless you live near them shipping is $$$$$$$$$.

Ive been searching for a while, had my eye on a cabinet, so I would have shelving space to hide everything. I think I might take a chance on this piece, well go take a look at it anyway. It doesn't have legs- it's a solid box all the way around- BUT has decorative carving on the bottom front, I can see it in photo. I did take a look at the metal stands- all out of stock except for the 10 gallon ones. My boyfriend says to me yesterday "Hey we could go to Home Depot, I can make ya one, it ain't gonna be pretty though and you're paying for materials" lol. He has been a roofer for the majority of the 10 years we have been together & it would be a 6 month project for him to finish it!

 

I'd feel better about it if it was only slightly larger than the tank in both directions. That way the weight from the tank would be distributed directly over the legs of the furniture, but if it really is solid wood it will probably be okay.

yes it is! Tank is almost 31 Inches Width
Dresser Top is 63IN long

 

A 29 gallon tank weighs less than 300 pounds. If you and a friend can climb up on the dresser without concern, it should hold the tank. You could always put a piece of 3/4" plywood across the top to spread the weight. The probem is that the primary support is on the ends. The support in the middle is rather minimal.

 

Since i like to quibble over details here is my supporting document that it weighs more than 300 lb full. Lets see your supporting document that it weighs less

Aquarium sizes and weights - Crystal Clear Aquariums

A 29 gallon tank weighs less than 300 pounds. If you and a friend can climb up on the dresser without concern, it should hold the tank. You could always put a piece of 3/4" plywood across the top to spread the weight. The probem is that the primary support is on the ends. The support in the middle is rather minimal.

 

Since i like to quibble over details here is my supporting document that it weighs more than 300 lb full. Lets see your supporting document that it weighs less

Aquarium sizes and weights - Crystal Clear Aquariums

Hey hey no arguing now! Lol
I have a 25lb bag of sand. Tank weighs 40lbs empty & add water weight. 29gallons X 8.34lbs per gallon = 241lbs I'm saying over 300lbs with everything added. Maybe I can remove all the draws & have him add some support planks vertically?

 

That shouldn't be necessary if the frame is solid pine as long as the top is flat. I do a paper trick to check for flatness. With the empty tank on the stand see if you can slide paper under the sand from any of the four corners. Also you can use a leveler to see if it is level.

Hey hey no arguing now! Lol
I have a 25lb bag of sand. Tank weighs 40lbs empty & add water weight. 29gallons X 8.34lbs per gallon = 241lbs I'm saying way over 300lbs with everything added. Maybe I can remove all the draws & have him add some support planks vertically?

 

That shouldn't be necessary if the frame is solid pine as long as the top is flat. I do a paper trick to check for flatness. With the empty tank on the stand see if you can slide paper under the sand from any of the four corners. Also you can use a leveler to see if it is level.

Okay, yes we probably have 10 different sized levels in the garage. I'm waiting on him to wake up (works overnights) so I can go return a stand I bought & take a look at this one.

 

Hi, if this is solid wood then yes you will be fine using this

 

Hi, if this is solid wood then yes you will be fine using this

The seller says it is pine. Found it on Craigslist, they're moving & wife says it's too heavy. Well I will update later & let you guys know if I bring it home or not!

 

Hey hey no arguing now! Lol
I have a 25lb bag of sand. Tank weighs 40lbs empty & add water weight. 29gallons X 8.34lbs per gallon = 241lbs I'm saying over 300lbs with everything added. Maybe I can remove all the draws & have him add some support planks vertically?

Since i like to quibble over details here is my supporting document that it weighs more than 300 lb full. Lets see your supporting document that it weighs less

Aquarium sizes and weights - Crystal Clear Aquariums

A weight of 300# is going to be pretty close. The tank weighs 40# empty. Add 25# of gravel. Now you are up to 65#. The 29 gallons is the amount of water an empty tank would hold if it is filled to overflowing. A 29 gallon tank with gravel is will hold 25-26 gallons of water if filled to about 1" below the top, so the water weight will be about 215#. That comes up to 280#. Adding a HOB filter full of water might and another 5# including the water it holds. The heater will add less weight than the weight of the water it displaces. If you add some very large rocks, they will be heavier than the weight of the water displaced, but unless you add 25# or more of rocks, you will still be under 300#.

I have no idea how the web site arrived at a figure of 330#. I presume they are adding a 10% fudge factor to be conservative. I am a chemical engineer so doing these types of calculation is what I was trained to do.

If the dresser is solid pine 1 1/2" thick or more, it should easily hold the weight of the tank. The back of the dresser is likely to be 1/4" thick fiberboard. If you replace that with 3/8" plywood, that will add stability to the dresser. Removing drawers should not be necessary.

Like I said in my initial post, if you and a friend can stand on the dresser with no fear of it collapsing, the dresser should easily hold the tank weight.

 

I bailed on the dresser. My friend texted me saying he had a stand in his garage that his brother made- custom for a 29 Gallon. I had him deliver it. $40.00 cash. But he moved to Florida & left it "unfinished" he said it needs a clear coat & stain, maybe a shelf, door handles, some finishing touches I guess:
Onto a new project I suppose

 

Think about it - what are the chances that a random friend will have a custom made abandoned stand for the size aquarium you are setting up in their garage. *think* are you sure they didn't quickly make it last night

 

Think about it - what are the chances that a random friend will have a custom made abandoned stand for the size aquarium you are setting up in their garage. *think* are you sure they didn't quickly make it last night

Haha, so he is a family friend, his Dad's basement is crazy, they call it "the fish farm" I asked him about 6 months ago if he had anything for a 20 gal kicking around, he said no he only had stands for bigger aquariums. Black Friday Sale> I went & bought a brand new 29gal. I mentioned it to him & this morning he texted me a photo of this stand. It was being used to hold an old stereo & other junk in his garage.

 

I have one that’s a perfect fit to my tank and it’s solid wood so it’s been fine. My 40 breeder. It’s a dresser of solid pine. Side note it’s likely ruined underneath in terms of aesthetics but I’ll paint it when I use in future when I get my 75 gallon seaclear (begs new husband daily). I have a 30 seaclear at my parents and I don’t know if it’s the lights there (Aqueon opti plus vs nicrew here) or simply the tank but that one looks amazing after 10 days and the one here looks like crud the same day as water changes. And this has two filters!!

 

I bailed on the dresser. My friend texted me saying he had a stand in his garage that his brother made- custom for a 29 Gallon. I had him deliver it. $40.00 cash. But he moved to Florida & left it "unfinished" he said it needs a clear coat & stain, maybe a shelf, door handles, some finishing touches I guess:
Onto a new project I suppose
View attachment 747208View attachment 747209

You did the right thing. That will work perfectly. And you have some fun decorating it too.

 

Ohhh yeah, gonna put my man to work on this ASAP! lol

 

Yes time to buy a lottery ticket!! But did someone say a 29 on a dresser . Look at those legs.

 

Looks like the leaning tower of Pisa or maybe just an odd angle for the picture.

Yes time to buy a lottery ticket!! But did someone say a 29 on a dresser . Look at those legs.View attachment 747211

 

Yes time to buy a lottery ticket!! But did someone say a 29 on a dresser . Look at those legs.View attachment 747211

I'm way too paranoid for this lol
I have a 20gal on a long dresser right now & every time someone goes near it I will yell at them not to lean on it! & it's perfectly stable.
Is this your own tank? Or a photo you found?

 

I have one that’s a perfect fit to my tank and it’s solid wood so it’s been fine. My 40 breeder. It’s a dresser of solid pine. Side note it’s likely ruined underneath in terms of aesthetics but I’ll paint it when I use in future when I get my 75 gallon seaclear (begs new husband daily). I have a 30 seaclear at my parents and I don’t know if it’s the lights there (Aqueon opti plus vs nicrew here) or simply the tank but that one looks amazing after 10 days and the one here looks like crud the same day as water changes. And this has two filters!!View attachment 747210

I have a 20 long sitting on a two-drawer filing cabinet at the end of my desk. The filing cabinet is just about 1" (25mm) larger in each direction than the tank, so I got a piece of 3/4" (19mm) plywood to spread the weight out a little. I cut it the same size as the filing cabinet, chamfered the top edges to dress it up a little, and painted it black so it blends in with the tank frame.

 

Sigh. I need more filing cabinets.

 

I'm way too paranoid for this lol
I have a 20gal on a long dresser right now & every time someone goes near it I will yell at them not to lean on it! & it's perfectly stable.
Is this your own tank? Or a photo you found?

That’s mine. 29 was on it for about 3yrs. There’s a 15 on it now