[Tamianth]

This is a suggestion from hubby actually. I had two tanks without stands so rather then buying a cheap flimsy chipboard job with a high pricetag on it, or a wobbly metal one or a even spendier all wood model, he suggested useing a coffee table.

So when I went looking I found a nice console table, works great for a nice 20 long with room to spare, I think it would even hold up to a 30 gl long nicely.

As for the bigger tank I have, a coffee table is indeed what I'm going to use. The costs are about half the price of a regular AQ stand. They will match the furniture and even provide a shelf for other things!

Here's how the twenty looks on its console stand:

[Queenie]

I think that's a great idea Kathy. You could probably find some good sturdy ones second hand and if they are scratched up you could paint them to match your decor.

Yours looks great!

[LaurieP]

It is a good idea, but you have to be very careful. Most coffee tables and such are not designed to hold the weight of a big tank full of water. Remember that just a 10 gal tank with water weighs over 100 pounds!!

[Tamianth]

Thats right Laurie! :)

This is all wood, solid! No Chipboard! The console was 30.00 on sale, beats the heck out of 60.00 ish up and some of the lesser AQ stands are covered over chip board (aka partical board)......

So make sure the legs & top are solid! Some stands are even laminated together! :)

Thats a 20 gl tank on that.! Queenie makes a good point also, second hand stores will have older more solid wood stands also, a bit of refinishing and that would make a nice stand also! :)

I would reccomend though for varnish, useing boat varnish as its made to withstand water for re-finishing!

[Queenie]

covered over chip board (aka partical board)......

I gave $150.00 for the stand to my 47 gallon aquarium. It is exactly that, particle board that has been painted black. But it does have some metal post in the front, but otherwise all particle board.

[Tamianth]

That seems just outragouse for chipboard too! :( We picked up a very nice TV stand with a nice solid top I think would be ideal for one of the more square types or tall AQ's. Two shelves underneath. I'm seriously considering looking for another one to put a nice tall tank on. We picked that up for like 25.00 at the canned food store of all places! :blink: Guess one just doesn't know whats going to turn up where! :D

[Jeana727]

Whether you use the real stands they sell for aquariums or other furniture I suggest you add extra support! My husband places metal brackets in each corner to make it stronger. A fish tank full of water & decorations is extremely heavy! :)

[Graham]

Great suggestion! I have a 20g on a console table, too. I spent a lot less, got solid wood, and one day when I upgrade to a bigger tank (which will be on a bigger table) I will be left with a nice piece of furniture that I can easily use elsewhere in the house!

I got mine at Target but a friend recently got a great table/console deal at Lowe's maybe Hect's and Home Depot would be good to try, too... Also, we have a wekkly flea market near my house - lots of goodies there! I still can't get over what they chare for those fish stands... makes me sad to think to think how people keep getting ripped off buying them and then stop keeping fish b/c it is too expensive.

One gallon of water weighs about 8.5 pounds, add the weight of your gravel, ornaments, tank, hood, and filters (if you have HOBs) to get your total weight. Most tables come with a weight standard (the tanle we bought did have a published max. weight). To test it out, me and hubby sat on the table at the same time! If it could hold both of us, it could hold the tank! :rofl

PS - Your tank looks great on the table, it is so much more a part of the room. The shelf is nice for support, decor, or keeping fish supplies! What's in the tank?!

This post has been edited by Graham: 21 August 2005 - 11:35 PM

[Tamianth]

This is my tropical tank, it has Black Emporer Tetra's and White Cloud Minnows in it! :)

[Fish_Fanatic]

I am actually using an old microwave stand for my 10 gallon, it is partical board though. But it seems to be doing it's job well!!! :)

[love goldfish]

I have a solid, very sturdy coffee table, that was sitting in my frontroom not being used, for my 55 gallon. It was a last minute decision when I got the tank from my son's friend for $50.00, great deal, the lights and tank were never used.

[Ponderosa Power]

I think that is what I am going to do. I don't want to pay $50 for a 10 gallon stand!! Is there a way to tell it will be sturdy enough? (Aside from sitting on it...I probably way enough to test it out for my tank, but I don't the the sales people will appreciate it!!)

[Tamianth]

Hi Kissy,
Make sure it doesn't have chip board aka particle board. Pine should be solid and fairly heavy (thickness- 1" or better). I don't think anything thats a pieced together type, like "butcher Block" pattern would do well either unless its a smaller tank size.

[Ponderosa Power]

Erm....

My 29 gallon stand has chipboard. Chip board is that wood that looks like they fused together a bunch of sawdust, right? All speckly and stuff? The peice that the tank sits on is chipboard then, but not any of the "legs". It came with that tank and the owners put it together. Is it going to fall apart? I was thinking about keeping the ten gallon on the shelf underneath...I'm guessing that's a bad idea too? What do I do??

[Tamianth]

Yup, that would be it Kissy! :( Its glued together actually and with water involved its a bad combo unfortunatly. Removing a screw from it can break it easily, it will crumble & chip. The water can warp and weaken the glue. My husband refuses to have anything that has it in house! I have to agree with him after seeing what happens with it. Drawing moisture often warps it as well! :(

[Ponderosa Power]

Oh crap :(

I can't afford 2 new stands. Is it hard to make them? Oy. Stupid people!!! They HAD to make that one board from chipboard.

[Fishbuddy2]

I have a my 30gallon on a TV Stand...it works awesome...and has awesome storage and everything....I think I have an Old pic...

This is the 10 Gallon on the same TV Stand before I got the 30gallon...


This is the 30gallon on the TV Stand....


Now my 10 gallon is on one of my big Book Case things but its on the botton shelf thing with the cupboard under it.

[Ponderosa Power]

Hi everyone :) I started my own thread about my stand issues regaurding buying a new one and attempting to fix the other. Can anyone help? I'm not good with construction lol

http://www.kokosgoldfish.invisionzone.com/...showtopic=38018

[x-Lucy-Fish-x]

Tamianth, your table does look like its bowing a bit under the weight?

[Tamianth]

Actually no it doesn't I'm happy to say. It works really good. I do think the angle I took the photo at is off kilter though. <_< Sort of hard to get a good pic, the room is long and narrow, old house and all....