Will this support a 25 Gallon tank?

[TheNewClownFish]

Hi everyone,

I picked up a Waterbox 25 today. I’m currently using a solid wood filing cabinet. Currently have a10 Gallon on it, but previously had a 20 as well.

The 25 I bought is the largest I’ll ever have that went on that stand. I’m a bit nervous though. I tested it by standing on the stand with my 10 gallon on it (270lb total weight) and it seemed fine. But I’m not the smartest when it comes to these things so any advice is appreciated.

 

[polyppal]

I mean it’s really just a guess from a picture of it, but if it’s solid wood and not pressboard furniture you’ll probably be fine with the weight evenly distributed

Figure 10lbs for every gallon of water. Maybe have a few people (or 1 American) sit on it together and shake around for a few minutes to see if it feels stable

 

[TheNewClownFish]

I mean it’s really just a guess from a picture of it, but if it’s solid wood and not pressboard furniture you’ll probably be fine with the weight evenly distributed

Figure 10lbs for every gallon of water. Maybe have a few people (or 1 American) sit on it together and shake around for a few minutes to see if it feels stable

Thanks for your reply! I know it’s hard to see from pictures. The stand itself is very very heavy. I’ll definitely test it again tomorrow. And as you mentioned, this tank will be equally distributed amongst the top. I’m just curious how I can reinforce it. I heard some people put wood on top of the stand but I don’t know if that would help here.

 

[polyppal]

Thanks for your reply! I know it’s hard to see from pictures. The stand itself is very very heavy. I’ll definitely test it again tomorrow. And as you mentioned, this tank will be equally distributed amongst the top. I’m just curious how I can reinforce it. I heard some people put wood on top of the stand but I don’t know if that would help here.

Prob not necessary on that size tank but a 2x4 post cut precisely to the interior dimensions in the cavity would be the brace you’re looking for. That prob wouldn’t work with it having the drawer though unless there’s clearance with the drawer closed to add one at the very back

if the top is solid, adding more wood on top isn’t going to add any benefit, you want to be concerned with sidewall/buckling weight

 

[polyppal]

I just saw you had a 20 on there without issue, so I’m sure you’ll be fine with the 25…

 

[TheNewClownFish]

Prob not necessary on that size tank but a 2x4 post cut precisely to the interior dimensions in the cavity would be the brace you’re looking for. That prob wouldn’t work with it having the drawer though unless there’s clearance with the drawer closed to add one at the very back

if the top is solid, adding more wood on top isn’t going to add any benefit, you want to be concerned with sidewall/buckling weight

Yeah the drawer is a pain. I’ll see what I can do but basically you’re suggesting to run a 2x4 in the middle right? To provide that brace

 

[TheNewClownFish]

I just saw you had a 20 on there without issue, so I’m sure you’ll be fine with the 25…

thanks! Yeah the drawer (top one) was a bit harder to open but it worked fine. The WB 25 seems to be more equally distributed.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

A 1x brace would provide enough support as well...

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Hi everyone,

I picked up a Waterbox 25 today. I’m currently using a solid wood filing cabinet. Currently have a10 Gallon on it, but previously had a 20 as well.

The 25 I bought is the largest I’ll ever have that went on that stand. I’m a bit nervous though. I tested it by standing on the stand with my 10 gallon on it (270lb total weight) and it seemed fine. But I’m not the smartest when it comes to these things so any advice is appreciated.

I think you will be fine with those two tanks there!

 

[Dragen Fiend]

I usually do the initial test of sitting my fat butt on it. Then decide on how it responds lol. But judging by the looks of it. Pretty solid to me. I would personally just tighten everything up and ensure nothing is loose.

 

[stewy14]

I usually do the initial test of sitting my fat butt on it. Then decide on how it responds lol. But judging by the looks of it. Pretty solid to me. I would personally just tighten everything up and ensure nothing is loose.

same, but I jump around on it.

 

[ScottJ]

Hi everyone,

I picked up a Waterbox 25 today. I’m currently using a solid wood filing cabinet. Currently have a10 Gallon on it, but previously had a 20 as well.

The 25 I bought is the largest I’ll ever have that went on that stand. I’m a bit nervous though. I tested it by standing on the stand with my 10 gallon on it (270lb total weight) and it seemed fine. But I’m not the smartest when it comes to these things so any advice is appreciated.

Call me silly , but, you are planning to remove the 10 gallon and turn the 25 around so it's not hanging over the edge, right?

And i agree, if you had a 20 gallon on it without problems, you should be fine with a 25.

The one thing I would check though in if the top is flat. Put a straight edge across it both length and width. If you see any gaps under it, I would add a piece of 1/2" or better yet 3/4" plywood on the top, then your leveling mat under the tank. You could paint the plywood black or something so it looks ok.

 

[ChiCity]

Maybe have a few people (or 1 American) sit on it together and shake around for a few minutes to see if it feels stable

lol, we’re not fat… we’re big boned

 

[stewy14]

lol, we’re not fat… we’re big boned

wellll...... we're everything

 

[TheNewClownFish]

Sorry can you explain where I should
Put that?

A 1x brace would provide enough support as well...

 

[TheNewClownFish]

Call me silly , but, you are planning to remove the 10 gallon and turn the 25 around so it's not hanging over the edge, right?

And i agree, if you had a 20 gallon on it without problems, you should be fine with a 25.

The one thing I would check though in if the top is flat. Put a straight edge across it both length and width. If you see any gaps under it, I would add a piece of 1/2" or better yet 3/4" plywood on the top, then your leveling mat under the tank. You could paint the plywood black or something so it looks ok.

Thanks. I’ll definitely remove the 10 and reposition the tank so it’s not hanging. I appreciate your tip as well!

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Sorry can you explain where I should
Put that?

Pull the drawers, put it inside and run it from one corner to the other on the back panel.

Honestly, you probably don't need to do that even.

 

[TheNewClownFish]

Pull the drawers out it inside and run it from one corner to the other on the back panel.

Thank you!