Is there a piece of IKEA Furniture to hold a tank

[TexasCichlid]

This looks interesting, but how do you fit a canister and CO2 tank in it. I imagine some creative cutting would need to be done.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Ebon...to-30/21125977

I'd love to find something that was not a custom piece of $400+ furniture that needed to be Greyhounded to be from across the country and was 24+ inches wide and 12+ inches deep and had actual doors. Lot harder than I thought it would be.

This looks interesting from Ikea, but it looks like it has no back so some extra support will probably be needed.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/pr...55/#/S49894055

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by houseofcards

It's funny I'm actually looking at custom stands for either a 4 or 5 footer and I saw this, but I think it would have to be reinforced. I size would be perfect for a 48" setup.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_155860-66150...7C1&facetInfo=

I looked at something like that. I was thinking a sheet of 3/4 finished plywood across the back that went to the floor. Then Internal braces to tie the back & sides together. Maybe something like a pc of Angle Stock steel or flat steel stock 3/4" wide?? That would not eat up a lot of internal space. Maybe angle braces at corners? One would have to FAB specifically to the cabinet. But, I don't think it would be too hard to do.

[scapegoat]

Originally Posted by lochaber

As most people said above, I'd be hesitant to use Ikea (or most other furniture) for an aquarium stand for anything much over 10 gallons or so...

i don't agree with that. I had a 45g on a pier1 couch table for years. It really really doesnt take much to support a fish tank, it really only needs to have the vertical support under the corners of a typical framed tank.

just be smart in choosing the furniture and check out how it's built. rock it back and forth and see if the pieces wiggle or if the whole thing moves as one.

anything you buy can be reinforced on the inside.

granted, once you start getting up to large sizes something custom is required. but I'd think anything that petco would stock would be alright on furniture as long as your not a dummy about it.

[minicrazy592]

Originally Posted by Silmarwen

That's a 20 long on the Expedit?? That's such a great fit! The Expedits are finished on both sides, aren't they? I'm suddenly considering one... How sturdy does it feel?

Yup 20g long. Everything is a finished surface, but I still put it together with epoxy and sealed up the joints. I also reversed the install directions for the shelves in the center so I could have an extra vertical support and make it easier to fit my equipment underneath.



It is a bit top heavy sitting on my carpet so I have it strapped to the wall just incase.

[hisxlency]

great thread. I just picked up a 30G and now im hunting for a cheap stand thats strong enough to hold the tank and hide a canister under.

[CuriousAmerican]

Originally Posted by hisxlency

great thread. I just picked up a 30G and now im hunting for a cheap stand thats strong enough to hold the tank and hide a canister under.

The expedit looks great, but it lists at only 29lbs per shelf

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20135300/

Does IKEA underrate its furniture

Click on read more ... and then scroll down and it gives only 29# per shelf

Is the top panel solid or hollowed out on the expedit?

If that is solid, it should be able to support a ton on the top. Why are the shelves rated so low.

[giantdny]

If you use ikea just wood glue the dowels and when you screw something in. Makes it permanent but 20 times stronger. You should be fine!

[creekbottom]

I have the Expedit but the 8 cube one, although I'm not using it for a fish tank. The thicker outer pieces are solid, but it's veneer over a particle board kind of thing. My guess is they only give 29 pounds because those shelves are only held in with the wood dowels. It took some with a hammer to get everything in the holes but it's a solid unit once it's assembled.

[Silmarwen]

That sounds brilliant. I think that the vertical sides help the weight limit a lot. Otherwise, the inside shelves are also much thinner. But I imagine an additional piece of hardwood laminate would go a long way towards reinforcing the top just to have it there. I love the idea, though, I'll definitely be looking into it.

[TeteRouge]

Originally Posted by giantdny

If you use ikea just wood glue the dowels and when you screw something in. Makes it permanent but 20 times stronger. You should be fine!

+1 I bought a knock down computer desk and thought it felt a bit flimsy when I dry-fitted it, so I wood-glued the dowels and the joining surfaces, and added a few screws to weight bearing joints. 10 years later, it's still as solid as a rock. Did it with an aquarium stand as well.

[DieFranz]

Originally Posted by minicrazy592

Yup 20g long. Everything is a finished surface, but I still put it together with epoxy and sealed up the joints. I also reversed the install directions for the shelves in the center so I could have an extra vertical support and make it easier to fit my equipment underneath.

Genius! I am literally getting in the car right now to pick up a black/brown Expedit with one door insert unit. It should fit my new 13.3g bowfront with a little room to spare.