[sayn3ver]

I've had in my possession for the last few months an AGA pine stand (48"x18"). I am about to start setting up the tank and what not and i just don't see how the little 1x2's or w/e they use and the plank boards will hold up a 90g tank for any amount of time. Tonight i cut and attatched a 48"x18" 3/4inch thick pine board to the top and bottom to make the stand solid on top...as i am using a seaclear arcylic aquarium and arylic tanks need to be supported across the entire bottom of the tank.

The problem with just throwing some 2x4's in the thing is that the plank boards prevent one from just easily tacking in a 2x4 frame inside the 1x2 frame they have. I don't have a table saw so i think trying to notch the frame to make it fit with a circular saw may prove troublesome.

Has anyone ever had an issue with an GA stand collapsing or am i just paranoid?

 

[evercl92]

I was quite paranoid as well, as I have a 120gal on one of those cheap-looking stands. The guy I bought it from had it for over a year, and I've had it for almost a year now, and neither of us have had any issues.

 

[lillou]

You aren't the only paranoid one. I added a frame inside the stand I got for my big tank. Plus it was easier to level the 2X4's than the whole side of the stand.
But they are made to support the weight of the tank as flimsy as they look.

 

[bharada]

I've had a 120g acrylic tank on a modified AGA stand for over a year now with no signs of problems.

By modified I'm referring to adding two sheets of 3/4" (or whatever they call it nowadays) plywood as a top deck and a band of 1x3 pine to trim around the plywood.

 

[sayn3ver]

comforting. Its just we had new hardwood floors installed and i'd hate to see 90g's of water ruin it, yah know, cause hardwood flooring ain't cheap(and its not laminate hardwod either)

 

[Mori]

They've been making those things that way for years--I'm sure we'd know by now if they weren't sturdy enough! I'm pretty sure you'll be fine. It's very easy for me to say that, of course, as it's your floor and not mine.

For what it's worth, solid hardwood will hold up to a soaking much better than laminate!

 

[tropicalfish]

Yes, but the water will eventually seep through the floor and rot the wood and stuff... eww!

 

[Mori]

Well, I don't recommend it....

 

[sayn3ver]

well, the guy who was installing the flooring is a friend of the family's, has been for years. He built our 4 car garage outback which is about the size of a small house, 2 stories to boot. He gave it a look over and thought it would be fine.

Maybe i just underestimate the strength of wood. I just cant stop thinking about 1000lbs of H20 on the floor.

 

[narhay]

Would AGA sell stands that wouldn't hold the aquarium? They've been selling the same ones for years now. I'm sure they would stop if the stands kept breaking and they got sued...

 

[Overfloater]

I have the 48x18 pine stand under a 75G for a few years without any problems. It doesn't seem to sturdy but it held up well enough. I even drilled quite a few holes in the interior of the stand. My only gripe was the pine is soft (as you would expect from pine) and scratches easily. Watch cats and other critters

 

[sayn3ver]

i only added a 3/4inch piece of pine laminate to the top and bottom of the stand. Is that going to be enough to support the bottom of the acrylic tank?

 

[ingg]

Quick note, you don't need a table saw to notch 2x4's, should you decide that route.

Take your circular saw, Decide a depth, and run across the 2x every 1/2" or less in the section to be notched. Smack those cuts at a slight angle with a hammer, it'll pretty much all fall out, clean up with a chisel quick if needed.

 

[Troy McClure]

They still make and sell hand saws, right?...