Aquarium Stand HELP

[NYfan78]

Ok i have a 55 gallon tank that a bought off craigslist a while back. came with a canopy and a stand. Both made out of pinewood it looke like. The same one as this one but mine is black...

http://cgi.ebay.com/55-Gallon-Fish-...aultDomain_0?hash=item27af1965da#ht_500wt_975[/HTML]

I have noticed the middle pieces of the stand in the rear, its looks to be maybe part of the support(?)is split. I am not sure if I need to worry or what. I dont need 55 gallon all over the media room! Any help would be great. plus now i am thinking to my self pine is a soft wood i think, how strong is this stand?

Thanks

 

[mscichlid]

You could cut another piece of plywood the same width but 3/4" and screw it to the top rail and the bottom rail, down to the floor. Use coated or stainless steel crews to attach. Also screw the new piece to the old piece.

But if you want it to look pretty, just replace the piece with another piece of white pine the same demensions. When you do that, you'll have to make sure it is a very snug fit so that when the tank is put on filled with water that there will be no sag whatsoever.

 

[maddog10]

Pine is a soft wood, however it is also more than strong enough to hold our aquariums. I would say 90% of us have pine stands. Without see where the questionable piece is, I can not offer any advice on whether it is a structural piece or not. You can always try to scab another piece onto for additional strength.

 

[mscichlid]

Yeah that is what I was trying to say...'scab it'.

 

[NYfan78]

Here are some pics. Any advise would be great!

 

[NYfan78]

2nd pic is upside down doooh

 

[mscichlid]

Just scab a piece of 3/4" plywood on it. Screw it and glue it. Use construction grade adhesive, like Tough as Nails. Put it on both pieces. Make sure it's a tight fit top and bottom.

 

[NYfan78]

I cant tell if that split piece is a supporting part or not. what do u all think?

 

[maddog10]

I don't think it is a supporting member, but it doesn't hurt to put a another piece of wood in there just to be safe.

 

[NYfan78]

I have. 10 gallon in the cabinet on the right side. Would that cause this?

 

[maddog10]

If weight isn't evenly distributed, you can get stress cracks.

 

[NYfan78]

So what are you saying the 10 gallon tank could have caused this. I know for a fact the 55 gal is level in all aspects!

 

[mrkillie]

It does look like a supporting member to me. I wouldn't use plywood-I'd use a 2 x 4. A-the 2 x 4 is stronger and B-the 2 x 4 is cheaper (unless, of course, you already have the plywood).