Can my dresser support a 20L? Details inside

[talontsiawd]

My guess is that it won't be any problem at all. I have done a 29 on an old dresser for at least a year. People freak out about 200lbs. My chair is holding 200lbs and does so all day, every day. My Ikea shelving has probably 400+ lbs of vinyl records and another 400lbs under pushing the legs I am sure. Been through at least 3 earthquakes. One of my keyboards weighs over 100lbs and the stand it's design to be on is not nearly as sturdy as a dresser.


If you were on a furniture forum and were asking if your old tube big screen would be safe, nobody would be freaking out. If it's real furniture, a dresser should have no issue with 200lbs.

[James M]

"dressers" are diverse in their construction and sturdiness. I already stated that I kept a 20 on an 'old' wood dresser, but that doesn't mean anything. A lot of newer furniture is made to look nice, but wont handle that much wight over a small area.

I'm sitting right next to a dresser that wouldn't handle it.
The sides are fine, but the center is thin veneer, with not real support underneath to hold any real weight in the center.

It think given what we know, she's been given good advice not to try it.

[JP55g]

There is no way any of us can tell from that picture if it will support it. You cannot see the supports for the top in it among other things. That is exactly why I suggested to put some weight on it and then use their judgement from that. You will never know the long term effects of a tank on a piece of furniture that was not designed for a tank. You have to decide if its worth the risk.

[PlantedRich]

No way to tell from pictures but since the dresser is new, I can state that current furniture rarely gets solid wood sides and since it states wood veneer, it is almost certain to be particle board. That is one reason for it being extra heavy. Glue is heavier than wood.

You may be able to get a peek at the underlying wood by looking at the bottom of the leg sections. They may not be covered with the veneer.

[SomeCanuck]

Originally Posted by xmas_one

Why are you putting a 20 dollar tank on an 800 dollar dresser? If you're pimp enough to drop 800 on a dresser, why not spring for something rimless with a nice stand?

Like Complexity said, it's not the price, it's the space that's the issue. I live downtown so there isn't really enough room for another tank, unless I banish it to the unfinished basement that I go down to for storage and laundry only.

Originally Posted by Kworker

Ive done two 20gal on a dresser but i wouldnt recommend it. Whenever you use draws it sends vibrations and spooks the fish..

I hadn't even thought of that, but now that you mention, the drawers are designed to slam shut pretty solidly and fast, so it would definitely send a sudden shockwave into the tank every time I needed to get something out.

Originally Posted by PlantedRich

No way to tell from pictures but since the dresser is new, I can state that current furniture rarely gets solid wood sides and since it states wood veneer, it is almost certain to be particle board. That is one reason for it being extra heavy. Glue is heavier than wood.

You may be able to get a peek at the underlying wood by looking at the bottom of the leg sections. They may not be covered with the veneer.

That makes sense and I'll slide it away from the wall tonight to take a better look at it (and I'll take the drawers out of their glides to look inside at what kind of middle support it has), but I'm thinking I'll really have to find somewhere else to fit the tank of I do choose to still get another one.


Thanks everyone for all your advice!