Reinforced my bookshelf...will it hold a 15g tank??? (PICS)

HI guys,

I have a with a drop cabinet that I've been using as command central for my 2 gal . Works like a charm.

Thing is, i'm planning to combine and upgrade my tanks, first to a 5 gallon with some heavy decor (~80lb) and ultimately to a 15 gallon (~200lb), and obviously need to reinforce the cabinet. (It's well made and solid, but not designed for those kind of loads). I've done this by cutting 2x4 and 2x8 pine lumber with a hand saw, grinding the ends down for an even surface and pressure fitting them between the shelves as you can see in the photos. (Time consuming!!). My thought was to support the shelves in the middle and transfer the load down to the floor. The supports are currently held in place by tension and are quite solid, although I admit they can be pivoted and knocked out of place with a hammer.

Would you guys trust a tank to this setup? Should I add screw-in corner braces to the supports? Any other modifications that would make this a viable arrangement?


Thanks for any help!

 

Attempt putting something 2-300 pounds on it to test it out.

 

If that doesn't work try building a stand with some cinder blocks and some 2x6 or 2x4. I've done this for several of my tanks and if you cover with some nice fabric it works like a charm. But defiantly put weight on it. A 15 gal will be about 150-200 pounds depending on what you put in it. I try to have me and my friends sit on my stands just to see how sturdy they are.

 

Thanks guys! I was definitely planning to test it out with whatever I can find for weight. My husband has adjustable dumbbells that total 105, I guess I'll try to find some bricks or....rocks or something to push it over 200...lol, any ideas for easy to find heavy stuff?? Unfortunately I can't climb in there and test it myself ^__^.

I'd much rather err on the side of caution and prepare for 200-250lb. A 15 gal is the largest tank that will fit comfortably in that cabinet, (I've already moved the glass shelf up to make the necessary headroom), so that's the max I need to worry about, but it's tricked out with some heavy stuff (I'll be posting pics in a separate thread when it's done) .

Thanks again!!

 

Good luck to you.

 

I can only report my own experience in reinforcing a 3-drawer Ikea dresser:

It's been in place for a few months now and it's holding the 30 gallons perfectly fine. No wiggle whatsoever.

 

I can only report my own experience in reinforcing a 3-drawer Ikea dresser:

It's been in place for a few months now and it's holding the 30 gallons perfectly fine. No wiggle whatsoever.

Oooo, thanks very much!! 30 gals is twice what I'm working with, that's very encouraging!!

 

This is the tank that will live there:

 

You guys are brave... My IKEA bookshelves are pretty flimsy. Mine are compressed particle board and when they get wet they fall apart. Also is the bookshelf anchored to the wall? Last thing you need is for it to fall forward and crush someone, like the MALM dressers that were recalled by IKEA after numerous toddler deaths.