Metal 55g two tank stand - problems.....

[ThinkTank]

I recently picked up a 2nd 55g tank and a metal stand that will hold two 55's. It just occured to me that I have very little room to get into the bottom tank. Maybe 6 inches (i'll have to measure when I get home tonight).

This is going to be a huge drag. No idea how I will be able to do any scaping once the top tank is on the stand. I mess around in my tanks quite a bit so this may be a showstopper. I could build a 2x4 stand, but I got the metal one because its cleaner looking than a DIY - This needs to look nice and painted 2x4 are going to look ghetto I think.

Any suggestions on what to do about this? I suppose i could just use 1 tank on top, but I really wanted the dual 55's with dividers for breeding or whatever I decide to do. I realize I could get smaller tanks for the bottom shelf, but I need and want to work with what I have already.

[wkndracer]

Sadly this was what I found looking at metal prefabs too.
Add lighting and sadly your out of room.
Also the wife felt it wasn't/isn't stable enough is why I welded one up out of square tube.


can you post a pic of what you've acquired? can the stand height be modified?

[nonconductive]

i knew mike would be on this one. haha

[ThinkTank]

Thanks wkndracer - I'm currently having my floors refinished so the tanks and stand are half buried until I can move them back into the room.
I'll try to get a picture tonight...or at least measurements.

You have far more headroom above your tank than I do. What is the measurement from the bottom shelf to the top shelf?

I'm a little concerned about it holding both tanks as well, but I can't weld to improve things. The sides and front feet are decorative wrought iron/scrollwork (sounds nicer than it is - but not bad). I had planned to brace the bottom shelf with wood or bricks.

I don't think its possible to adjust the bottom shelf without welding skills. My only other thought was to tier the tanks. Move the bottom tank out 6 inches or so and support the front edge with wood. Not sure if or how that would affect stability.

[wkndracer]

I"ll check back for the picture

I really doubt it would be very hard to modify the structure but based on how the decorative wrought iron/scrollwork is incorporated may be a killer.
Welded assemblies are way easier to modify than wood. haha opps! cut that length wrong,,,, weld it back together and cut it again.

Depending on how the wrought iron is attached a local welding shop should be able to extend the legs for a few bucks (without hosing you on the price).

I settled on clearance of 31" between the shelves (10" open above the tank) and use a stool working in the top tank with the rim being 57 1/2" above the floor. I can reach in the tank but the stool just makes it easy.

[ThinkTank]

I found a picture that was sent to me from the guy I bought it from. Hard to see the sides. I'll take a better pic of the side and measurements tonight.

Never occured to me to contact a welding shop (i'm slow i guess). I sent a few emails to local places - we'll see what they come back with. Thanks for the tip.

[wkndracer]

Not slow at all,,, we think about what we know. If you don't work with metal you wouldn't consider it an option is all.

Maybe have to include legs in the front to support the height change but it looks like standard steel used in the construction. Not wrought iron but round bar carbon steel. (imo) I'd stretch the thing so you have room to move.

[Chevelle]

had one of those fall through my floor once.


they are alot more practical with a 40 long on the bottom instead of a 55.

[ThinkTank]

Originally Posted by Chevelle

had one of those fall through my floor once.


they are alot more practical with a 40 long on the bottom instead of a 55.

Sounds like a serious structural problem with your floor. I'm more concerned about the stand giving in than the floor.

Still waiting for the welding places to get back to me. Definately want to add more supports for the front legs. If the decorative stuff is in the way i'll just have it removed.

I have 3.5" clearance above the bottom tank. I think it needs to be 8"-10" ideally. I couldnt get a better pic of the sides since its jammed in a corner and buried atm.

Any idea what I can expect this to cost? I spent 100 on the tank and stand....i'd like to keep any modification under 50 if possible. I wonder if it would be easier to just have someone weld a new stand for me.