Should I reinforce this AGA stand?

Lisa · 07-12-2006, 06:54 PM

Hi
I just purchased an All-Glass 120gal tank with stand. It's sitting empty in my living room because I am too nervous and would like some input about what you think.
The stand is made out of 1"solid maple wood. At the 4 corners, the tank is support by 2 pieces of 1x3's butted to each other in an L.
My major concern is the back of the stand does not have any support. There is a thin plywood strip that goes across the back, but the bottom back frame of the tank does NOT sit on anything.
So, should I add support to the stand?
If I should, how much?
Does it make a difference that there also isn't a base under the tank? Ie) I can see through the bottom of the tank into the stand.
Thanks for any advice!
Lisa

Witfull · 07-12-2006, 06:57 PM

AGA atands are made well...and with the purchase of tank and stand you get a 5 yr guarentee. if you modify the stand, you void it. you will be fine.

Gina · 07-12-2006, 06:58 PM

Was this stand made for the tank?
Hard to imagine the back of the tank not sitting on the stand?
Any chance you have a picture of it?

Lisa · 07-12-2006, 08:39 PM

Thanks Witfull. I appreciate your info.
I will still try to get a picture up. (I can't figure out to post them, but I will!)
My thought is 120 gallons is a looootttt of water!

Gibeon · 07-12-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa

Does it make a difference that there also isn't a base under the tank? Ie) I can see through the bottom of the tank into the stand.
Thanks for any advice!
Lisa

I find it odd that there isn't a back rail, but seeing through the tank into the stand is fine as tempered glass (the bottom of your tank) shouldbe supported at the edges to avoid pressure points - acrylic tanks NEED a full surface to rest on.

As for the 1x3's they should have no trouble supporting your tank. The compression failure for most maples is around 5,000-7,000psi (according to the US Forest Products Laboratory). So 1 of those 1x3's could support the weight of your tank filled with water (if you could keep it from bending - which is why they are L shaped, so they won't bend).

If the stand comes from AGA, I would have great confidence in it.

I say fill that thing up!

lcstorc · 07-12-2006, 11:39 PM

Can't really help with the stand question, but here is a thread about loading pictures.

Uploading Photos to RS

You can put them in your gallery and add the link as described in the thread or go to the go advanced button when you add your post and there is an option for attachments. The limit for attachments is 50k and the limit in the gallery I believe is 100k so lots of people do that. The thread also gives some info on resizing your pics to fit in the size limit, but there is info in the thread about how to do that. Basically you will need a picture program but several shareversions are in the thread.
Hopefully that helps.
We love pics.

Lisa · 07-13-2006, 08:09 PM

Hey, I think I may figured out how to resize photos! I hopes it works! Thanks for the great link LCSTORC!

Thanks for technical info, Gibeon! That does make me feel better!
If the pictures show up, you can see from the back that there is no center verticle support or any horizontal structural support.
In one of the pictures you can see that I have a magazine slid between the cross bar and the tank frame, so the back frame of the tank is not supported.

I really do appreciate everyones input. And my fish appreciate it, too!!

billyr98 · 07-13-2006, 08:19 PM

i don't like that piece of metal holding the wood together on the back upper brace support.. Thats a little scary looking... But if it is an AGA Stand everything should be fine with the stand.. I have a 210g AGA stand its not much but it holds the tank

Stalwart · 07-13-2006, 08:24 PM

WOW, that does look pretty weak. Sure dont look like it will hold around 1600lbs.

Lisa · 07-13-2006, 08:25 PM

That piece of metal is a small support brace that I put over one of the joints of that piece of plywood. That strip of plywood is actually about 5 small pieces of plywood connected by using small dovetail joints. That one joint had seperated, so I added glue and that brace to it.
And yes, this is an AGA stand, designed for this tank per the website.

It makes me feel better knowing you have an AGA stand holding a 210!! Wow, must be an awesome tank!!

Gibeon · 07-13-2006, 09:00 PM

Lisa, I'm really not comfortable withe the "delamination" of the brace at the back. That should NOT have happened, and should be covered under warranty. I would give them a call and see what they'll do (or call whoever you purchased from). They could turn out to be surprisingly accomodating.

On the positive side, that is a great looking stand and I now have a large case of tank envy.

cracker · 07-14-2006, 12:33 AM

You really need to support the back! It needs to be one solid piece of wood across the back. The space means the brace is bowing and all the weight is transfered to the corners only. It needs several vertical braces along the back especially where the dovetail joint has separated. The space where the mag fits needs to be level with the corners. Also the plywood panel or panels that cover the back add a lot of strength to the stand. Your stand can be easily repaired .

reiple · 07-20-2006, 05:03 AM

The wood seemed to have warped a little. Have it checked by a carpenter or house builder (or even a mechanical engineer or structural engineer!!!!!).

Definitely looks like something to worry about.

Gina · 07-20-2006, 05:56 AM

I have to admit I wouldn't be comfortable with that stand.
I know the stands are made to go with the tanks and should hold the weight but, that one would worry me some.

Yarr · 07-20-2006, 11:38 PM

in my opinion. u can never go overboard with strengthening your stand. adding braces and stuff is fine as well as adding a bit f ply for the tank to sit on spreads the load of the tank over the stand a bit better.

When u have over a metric tonne sittin gon your stand.. i can never be too careful

07-12-2006, 06:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lisa Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 15 View Gallery Karma Komment	Should I reinforce this AGA stand? Hi I just purchased an All-Glass 120gal tank with stand. It's sitting empty in my living room because I am too nervous and would like some input about what you think. The stand is made out of 1"solid maple wood. At the 4 corners, the tank is support by 2 pieces of 1x3's butted to each other in an L. My major concern is the back of the stand does not have any support. There is a thin plywood strip that goes across the back, but the bottom back frame of the tank does NOT sit on anything. So, should I add support to the stand? If I should, how much? Does it make a difference that there also isn't a base under the tank? Ie) I can see through the bottom of the tank into the stand. Thanks for any advice! Lisa

07-12-2006, 06:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,829 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I reinforce this AGA stand? Was this stand made for the tank? Hard to imagine the back of the tank not sitting on the stand? Any chance you have a picture of it? __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

07-12-2006, 08:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lisa Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 15 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I reinforce this AGA stand? Thanks Witfull. I appreciate your info. I will still try to get a picture up. (I can't figure out to post them, but I will!) My thought is 120 gallons is a looootttt of water!

07-12-2006, 11:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,008 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I reinforce this AGA stand? Can't really help with the stand question, but here is a thread about loading pictures. Uploading Photos to RS You can put them in your gallery and add the link as described in the thread or go to the go advanced button when you add your post and there is an option for attachments. The limit for attachments is 50k and the limit in the gallery I believe is 100k so lots of people do that. The thread also gives some info on resizing your pics to fit in the size limit, but there is info in the thread about how to do that. Basically you will need a picture program but several shareversions are in the thread. Hopefully that helps. We love pics. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

07-13-2006, 08:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I reinforce this AGA stand? i don't like that piece of metal holding the wood together on the back upper brace support.. Thats a little scary looking... But if it is an AGA Stand everything should be fine with the stand.. I have a 210g AGA stand its not much but it holds the tank __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

07-13-2006, 08:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
Stalwart Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Middle River, Maryland Posts: 274 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I reinforce this AGA stand? WOW, that does look pretty weak. Sure dont look like it will hold around 1600lbs. __________________ Mark Reef Newbie I would list my stuff if I knew what it was. I have a box full of water a yellow thing a blue thing oh, and this black box thing that goes whirllllll, blurble,blurble.

07-13-2006, 08:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Lisa Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 15 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I reinforce this AGA stand? That piece of metal is a small support brace that I put over one of the joints of that piece of plywood. That strip of plywood is actually about 5 small pieces of plywood connected by using small dovetail joints. That one joint had seperated, so I added glue and that brace to it. And yes, this is an AGA stand, designed for this tank per the website. It makes me feel better knowing you have an AGA stand holding a 210!! Wow, must be an awesome tank!!

07-13-2006, 09:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
Gibeon Serpent Star Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 215 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I reinforce this AGA stand? Lisa, I'm really not comfortable withe the "delamination" of the brace at the back. That should NOT have happened, and should be covered under warranty. I would give them a call and see what they'll do (or call whoever you purchased from). They could turn out to be surprisingly accomodating. On the positive side, that is a great looking stand and I now have a large case of tank envy.

07-14-2006, 12:33 AM	#12 (permalink)
cracker Acropora Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North East Florida Posts: 1,776 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I reinforce this AGA stand? You really need to support the back! It needs to be one solid piece of wood across the back. The space means the brace is bowing and all the weight is transfered to the corners only. It needs several vertical braces along the back especially where the dovetail joint has separated. The space where the mag fits needs to be level with the corners. Also the plywood panel or panels that cover the back add a lot of strength to the stand. Your stand can be easily repaired .

07-20-2006, 05:03 AM	#13 (permalink)
reiple Bryozoan Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 44 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I reinforce this AGA stand? The wood seemed to have warped a little. Have it checked by a carpenter or house builder (or even a mechanical engineer or structural engineer!!!!!). Definitely looks like something to worry about.

07-20-2006, 05:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,829 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I reinforce this AGA stand? I have to admit I wouldn't be comfortable with that stand. I know the stands are made to go with the tanks and should hold the weight but, that one would worry me some. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

07-20-2006, 11:38 PM	#15 (permalink)
Yarr Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Afghanistan Posts: 605 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I reinforce this AGA stand? in my opinion. u can never go overboard with strengthening your stand. adding braces and stuff is fine as well as adding a bit f ply for the tank to sit on spreads the load of the tank over the stand a bit better. When u have over a metric tonne sittin gon your stand.. i can never be too careful __________________ updating

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