Advise Sought: how to reinforce cabinet to support fish tank?

**deeloke** · 12th Dec 2009, 13:46

Hi. I just bought a glass nisso 3 * 1.5 * 1.5 feet tank and want to place it on my MDF (1 inch think) cabinet of the same footprint.

The cabinet is empty and does not contain a center beam, so the tank weight will be distribute to the side panels only.

Can anyone advise me on what needs to be done to the cabinet to reinforce the tank which i estimate will weigh 180 Kilo when fully loaded?

Can anyone recommend a handyman who may be experienced in cabinet mods? I stay West Singapore.

Any advise you have to offer will be appreciated.

-deeloke.

**stormhawk** · 12th Dec 2009, 14:13

Perhaps getting a professional carpenter might be better? In your case, reinforcing the joints might be necessary, with triangular wooden pieces at the right angles between the panels inside the cabinet itself, or a set of metal braces on the outside to keep the wood in place at the miter joints. I don't think this cabinet might be worth reinforcing, when you can probably get a customised one for more safety.

**deeloke** · 12th Dec 2009, 17:03

good idea stormhawk..
Anyone know of good carpenters happy to do some handywork around bukit timah area? I have some other jobs around the house too come to think of it...

**Fuzzy** · 12th Dec 2009, 17:34

Yeah I think stormhawk has a very good point. You should seriously consider getting a new 3ft tank stand or cabinet instead of modifying your current MDF cabinet.

Carpenters aren't exactly cheap and MDF isn't exactly the type of wood you want to be using for modifications or loading limit.

**stormhawk** · 13th Dec 2009, 00:28

I remember seeing a shop dealing in carpentry, over at Bukit Timah Plaza. Probably one of the upper floors. Note, this was a long time ago and the shop may not be there any more. I can't find a list of stores, nor a webpage for Bukit Timah Plaza itself.

I guess if you have time, you can give that place a look. Alternatively, you can probably check in the Yellow Pages for carpentry stores. Try paying a visit to the Salvation Army store, to see if there's any old cabinets suitable for your tank.

**neverwalkalone** · 13th Dec 2009, 23:31

IMHO, I'd get a new cabinet instead. As stated, a Carpenter isn't cheap, and I'm not sure if he'll stick his neck out to 'guarantee' the job; ie, can take the load.

As you've said, a 3ft is pretty heavy, and I will sleep ALOT better knowing the cabinet won't give way... again, IMHO.

Having said, that; if you still want to explore getting your cabinet reinforced, perhaps the LFSes have recommendations if they can't/don't want to take the job themselves.

Cheers

**David Moses Heng** · 13th Dec 2009, 23:40

Originally Posted by deeloke

Hi. I just bought a glass nisso 3 * 1.5 * 1.5 feet tank and want to place it on my MDF (1 inch think) cabinet of the same footprint.

The cabinet is empty and does not contain a center beam, so the tank weight will be distribute to the side panels only.

Can anyone advise me on what needs to be done to the cabinet to reinforce the tank which i estimate will weigh 180 Kilo when fully loaded?

Can anyone recommend a handyman who may be experienced in cabinet mods? I stay West Singapore.

Any advise you have to offer will be appreciated.

-deeloke.

I will strongly advise you against this. you will only end up with hours and hours of unnecessary area cleaning.

Take time and spend some money to either get a wrought iron rack or get the tank makers to build a cabinet for you using Kapur wood for you. Having a 180KG tank broke apart due to infrastructure woes should be the last worry that you need to have.

Personally i would recommend that you go to tank maker like wee yang or CR.

**deeloke** · 19th Dec 2009, 15:08

I decided to order a custom built one from the local fish shop. Although I suspect 1 inch MDF is strong enough but I don't have the time to do it myself. Anyway, thanks for all your advise.