Will This Cabinet Hold A 29-gallon Tank?

Time for a round of everyone's favorite game, "Can I put a tank on this?"

In a bid to save some space, I'm planning to move my 20-long and set up another 20-long together on a double rack. They'll have sponge filters so I'm not concerned about space for a canister. The current 20 is set up on this cabinet:




I did a lot of research before purchasing this: it's solid pine, the top is a single board, the legs go straight from the top to the floor. There is a center board dividing the drawers from the cabinet side, but it does not run all the way to the floor. The manufacturer rates its weight capacity as 300 lbs. It's been holding my 20 for 7 months now without a hint of bowing -- on top or underneath -- and the cabinet is a great place to hide a canister. (I bored two holes in the back for tubing and power cords.)

My question is, do I dare put a 29 on it? I know that will be pushing right up to the stated weight limit or possibly a bit over, depending on water displacement, substrate, and decor.

29g, empty: 40 lbs
29g of water: 242 lbs (A completely set-up tank isn't going to hold 29 gallon of water, but... y'know.)
~20 lbs of sand for 1-1.5" depth of coverage
Glass top, LED light, some driftwood, ceramic or resin "caves", plants and fish

So... do I dare? And/or are there steps I can take to reinforce this? The first thing that comes to mind is some extra legs under the center rail, kinda like TV stands have sometimes. Maybe I could do some brackets on the inside too, under the top piece, hmm..

 

I think your good. I build my stands from pine. My 125 stand is made from 1×pine. If it was particle board I'd worry. Does it have a cardboard back or is it plywood?

 

If it can hold up to 300 pounds, you should be ok. A 29 gallon is around 235 pounds filled with water, so within the acceptable range. Also a lot of manufacturers rate it for under the actual weight it can carry to avoid lawsuits if it breaks, but I still wouldn't go over 300 pounds.

 

Test it. Sit on it with 3 or 4 friends.

 

I think your good. I build my stands from pine. My 125 stand is made from 1×pine. If it was particle board I'd worry. Does it have a cardboard back or is it plywood?

The back is some sort of particle board or OSB (it was fairly splintery when I bored it), about 1/8" thick, and screwed onto the carcass. It's two vertical pieces, right and left.

Also a lot of manufacturers rate it for under the actual weight it can carry to avoid lawsuits if it breaks, but I still wouldn't go over 300 pounds.

I was thinking the same, the absolute limit is probably over 300, but who knows what the breaking point would be :x

Test it. Sit on it with 3 or 4 friends.

XD Probably not feasible for more than 2, but it's a thought, lol.

 

I'm sure it can be reinforced with some 2×4s inside and plywood on the back.