Anyone Ever Try This?

[fishme]

Saw this picture on monsterfish.com of a large tank sitting on cinder blocks. I don't know why, but it startled me. Anyone ever try it? I know it's not the most beautiful thing in the world, but it seems it could be an economical solution for some tanks.

[angel]

That's just scary! The blocks would be sturdy enough, but they're stacked. Could they get knocked into? And there's nothing supporting the middle. Would the glass crack under stress?

[fishme]

This picture if from a retail store. The guy that posted it was saying that acrylic tanks sag, but with glass it's not a problem. I'm wouldn't think it being bumped would be a problem because of the weight of the tank. I've just started doing some reading on it and I'm already seeing people have been doing it for years. I wouldn't mind trying this on a tank that's not in the main living area. Stands are so expensive and so many of the used ones look kind of ratty after a few years.

[angel]

They sure are. And the stands for my 125 are two table like things. I hate it. But buying a new one isnt an option right now because of the price, and then i'd want the canopy too!

[jgentry]

People have been using the cinder blocks for years. Especially in fish rooms or in stores because it's cheap, sturdy, and easy to do. It certainly isn't nice to look at. But you can put a skirt around the bottom and it and it really doesn't look that bad.

[fishme]

Here's a lady who takes it a step farther with a bit of paint and plywood. I don't like her alternating paint scheme but that's a matter of taste. There are a few other examples on her page with some cool suggestions on how to hide the cinder blocks. I'm thinking I'm going to try something like this for my old 45. The tank glass isn't very pretty anymore, and the old four-legged, open stand is starting to lean a bit. Makes me nervous. By the way, angel, you will see that his lady solved your concerns about no support in the middle by added another row of blocks. I like one lady's idea about using liquid nail or some sort of glue to attach plywood to the blocks to hide them. Maybe a project like this will help me get over my case of "Tank Fever." I've been jonesing for a tank in the 125-180 range lately...lol

virtuallyamy.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/build-a-strong-inexpensive-aquarium-stand/

Edit: Here's another site on the subject. The lady on the above site said the info on this one inspired her to try it:

saltaquarium.about.com/od/diystandscabinets/ss/diyaqstand.htm

[angel]

Does it really help to put foam insulation sheets under tanks? And would it help in this case? I mean if you used a wood plank for the top.

[angel]

What i want as an idea for saving money is how to build an alternate power source. Solar cell power supplements or somehow harness the hydro energy the filters create by dumping water back in to recharge a power source or something. I've bugged my egghead son about designing something but he doesn't seem to be that enthused. I hate having all this stuff plugged in and knowing what it's gonna do to my electric bill!

[fishme]

I don't think it's necessary at all. That's just what one lady did. In fact, as you can see from the original pic I posted, you don't really even have to have wood support under the tank. With a really big tank, though, I would probably be more comfortable putting a sheet of plywood under the tanks and the 2x4s are very cheap. so that wouldn't hurt. Really, though, if you put three stacks of blocks instead of two, the tank would be completely supported without anything else. I'm really thinking seriously about doing this for my 45, and if I do I'll probably just go with the two stacks of blocks and no wood.

[jon carman]

I would add another set of cinder blocks in the middle with wood planks sitting across with a styrofoam sheet on top. Just make sure you get it level.
Angel- the styrofoam sheeting helps the tank level out a bit and helps reduce the stress on the bottom glass. You don't need it if everything is level and you have a tank and stand made for each other, but for something like this I would use it. I have it under all my tanks in the garage. Just be sure it is cut a little wider and longer than the tank or it could cause a stress brake down the center.

[titansfever83]

My 75 gal is on blocks, though I do have wood underneath the tank. I just bought some black satin to cover the front and two sides and attached it to the wood. It was a nice alternative to paying for a stand plus I like my tanks to sit higher off the floor than most of your average stands.


Angel, a lot of people with large tanks use foam. It secures your tank from possible foundation settling or a cheaply made stand that may begin to bow with age.

[angel]

Wish I'd have put it under my 125! I never did like the stands it's on. Just the fact that there's two bugs me!

[fishme]

Just regular old styrofoam? Is there a particular thickness you need? Also, this never occurred to me before, but where do you buy styrofoam?

titansfever....do you have plywood or just 2x4 under the tank?

[angel]

You know that stuff that's a sheet and they use to insulate walls and rafters? You get it at Lowe's or Home Depot and it's probably 3/8" thick. In 4X8 sheets.

[fishme]

Good deal. I'll stop by Lowe's tomorrow and do some scouting.