Stands-determining Weight Bearing Ability

[yinoma2001]

Currently I have a 20G long in my kids' room on an IKEA bookcase. It's been there for a few months and I do a check every week to make sure the structure is fine.

I'm thinking of putting a 29G high to replace the 20G long. But generally speaking, how do I determine how much weight a bookcase or dresser or any "stand" can bear?

 

[MomeWrath]

Is it the bookcase with the square cubbies? I've had one of those for ages and kept a 30 gallon saltwater tank on mine for three years, along with all the books and everything inside. Ikea's website gives you the per-shelf weight limit on their furniture. The one I have said 30lb per shelf.
Would you and anpther person be able to sit on it and watch a movie without it falling down? Then you're probably ok for a 29.

 

[yinoma2001]

Something like this but we flipped it horizontally.

 

[MomeWrath]

Something like this but we flipped it horizontally.

Yep that's the one I have. It should hold a 29 fine. Just make sure all your ikea bolts are tight
Here is mine from a few years back.

 

[MomeWrath]

And after a couple re-arrangements, an attempted 90 gallon tank, I scaled back and actually did put a 29 on it... Here it is complete with Christmas village haha!
Sorry for double post

 

[JayH]

If you think a 250 pound person could jump on top of it without breaking it, then it probably would support the tank. That said, I wouldn't trust it. IKEA says it's made out of particleboard. That's not structural lumber. It's also not the greatest thing around water.