Stand

[Stradius011]

Does anyone know the stand that can have one tank at the bottom and another at the top? Is it good?

 

[Richard]

The downer to having one of those stands is when you vacuum.. unless you're using a Python, the suction in the lower tank is a lot less.. you can keep the lower tank clean but it's just more work.. these stands though are great for when you haven't much space available, which is why I have one.. I'm actually designing in my mind, a wrought-iron stand that will hold three tanks in stacked formation, with a view to having it made early next year.

 

[Butterfly]

I have one of those wroght iron ones that will hold two 20 gallon tanks and there isn't one on the bottom for that very reason. It's also hard to see your fish, they also startle easy because the tank is almost at foot level. I guess they feel the vibrations of people walking by.
Carol

 

[Isabella]

Yes, there are sturdy iron tank stands that can hold one tank on top and the other on the bottom - they should be available at every fish store. Check with your local shop.

 

[Richard]

It's highly recommended by the way, that when using those stands, you place a thick enough sheet of styrofoam under each tank to even out the weight-load to the bottom of the tank.. I'd like to believe the styrofoam would also dampen somewhat, any vibrations like footsteps, doors accidentally slamming shut etc.

 

[Isabella]

That's a good point Richard. Actually ... I have no styrofoam, or anything of the sort, between my stand and my 30 gallon tank. This is because I didn't know I was supposed to have it before I set up my 30 gallon tank. It's been standing like this for about 2 years. Do you think it's unsafe this way? Should I empty the tank and put something in between the tank and the stand?

 

[Richard]

Isabella, I'm afraid the answer to both your questions is yes.. without the styrofoam/polystyrene cushion between aquarium and stand, the glass base could be exposed to enough stress over time to crack.. a slab of styrofoam cut to the exact base-measurements of the tank, helps even out any irregularities in the supporting surface(whether it's a stand that is slightly off or a floor area slightly uneven), it cushions vibrations to some degree, and also helps conserve heat in a tank.

 

[Stradius011]

Where can I get those styrofoams?

 

[Isabella]

Isabella, I'm afraid the answer to both your questions is yes.. without the styrofoam/polystyrene cushion between aquarium and stand, the glass base could be exposed to enough stress over time to crack.. a slab of styrofoam cut to the exact base-measurements of the tank, helps even out any irregularities in the supporting surface(whether it's a stand that is slightly off or a floor area slightly uneven), it cushions vibrations to some degree, and also helps conserve heat in a tank.

Thanks for replying Richard. I am actually getting a 75 gallon tank soon (and will do a make-over of my 30 gallon tank, which is also when I will empty the 30 gallon tank). Could I wait until then? I was supposed to set-up the 75 gallon tank actually 2-3 months ago, but I am constantly busy. This will be a heavily planted fancy tank, and it will need a LOT of time to set up and grow out, for which I really am too busy now. But I hope I'll have the time very very soon (2-3 months tops). Can I wait with the styrofoam this long?

 

[Richard]

'Bella, if you haven't had any problems in two years, another couple of months shouldn't hurt.

Stradius, Styrofoam is the soft sheets of white stuff that you find cushioning new electronics when you open the box.. if you have a neighborhood store selling stereos, tv's, stuff like that, you can ask and maybe get a couple of sheets free.. failing that, a hardware store might carry it.. also, I know some LFS stock it, so you can try there as well.

 

[Isabella]

'Bella, if you haven't had any problems in two years, another couple of months shouldn't hurt.

LOL, hehehehe You almost gave me a heart attack with this "Bella", lol ;D It always makes me laugh when someone calls me Bella, lol! Sometimes people do it on purpose (just joke around) because of my name (that is why I never really liked my name!).

 

[atmmachine816]

Isabella I think people in the US are ok and don't need the styrofoam because the glass on our tanks are tampered while people not in the US tanks are not tampered thus need this extra support not sure but I think that's the way it is. I can check for sure if you'd like. Also you gona start a thread for your 75 in the journal section, should be a interesting one? Your staying below 2wpg with no co2 right? Sorry to hijack your thread stradius.

 

[Stradius011]

Sorry to hijack your thread stradius.

You don't need to be sorry.

 

[Isabella]

Also you gona start a thread for your 75 in the journal section, should be a interesting one?

That's a good idea I think I actually should start one once I begin the set-up of my tank Also, it would be good to monitor its progress once it's all set-up and running. For example, monitoring the plant growth, etc ...

 

[Richard]

Actually ATM, basic physics tells us it's impossible to have a glass aquarium made of anything weaker than tempered glass since it would not be able to handle the weight of water + gravel/sand etc. + ornaments, so contrary to what you think, 'people not in the US' who own glass tanks do in fact own tanks made of tempered glass.. I should also point out that even tempered glass has a stress point at which it WILL break, which is why the recommendation to cushion the base of the tank with styrofoam comes, not from me as a personal quirk, but from a number of American experts who've published books on all aspects of rearing aquarium fish, books which I refer to from my bookshelf fairly regularly.. one last thing, the use of styrofoam is not mandatory, only recommended for tanks on metal stands which in themself can't provide the kind of cushioning and support a wooden cabinet type stand can.

 

[atmmachine816]

O sorry I checked again and it's all-glass aquarium tanks since the glass has a base on it already supported by it so those do not need styrofoam, sorry it's not tempered glass though your probably right it doens't hurt.