Using Ikea Expedit

[bravobb]

I got the idea of using Ikea Expedit to place a small 2 feet tank from this thread.
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...020#post713020

Things to take note is to enforce the tank base placement.

However, i realised that it may not be so suitable if your flooring is not parquet, as you normally need to mop the floor with water and will moist the Ikea Expedit base and weaken the wooden...

Anyone uses such and how do you tackle this issue ?

[tongyang]

Here is a video on the Honeycomb interior of Ikea furniture products, which includes the frame of Expedit shelf. For individual's assessment on the weight threshold.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.co...-construction/

[bravobb]

Very informative.
But it only states for LACK coffee table.
How do you know it is for the Expedite ?

[bennyc]

How do you know it is using the same technology? The video only mention LACK coffee table.

[bennyc]

BESTÅ is using that technology. It is in the specification.

[bravobb]

But not for Expedit.

[tongyang]

The shelves of Expedit is not, but the frame is, based on folks who has dissected it http://m.instructables.com/id/Expedi...2/Cut-off-end/

[mukyo]

so if you can solve the water seeping problem they can technically support.
Like re coating it with waterproof coating or laminating.

-----------------------------------------
Visit and comment my L Tank and S Tank... <-- Click click !!
Thank you

[bravobb]

The shelves of Expedit is not, but the frame is, based on folks who has dissected it http://m.instructables.com/id/Expedi...2/Cut-off-end/

If the frame is, then if we lay it horizontally, the frame will be sitting on the flooring.
Very dangerous if we mop the floor...
Not sure we can use lacquer to give it an extra protection.... will lacquering damage the Expedit ? Anyone done that ?

[stormhawk]

http://www.pawesome.net/2010/03/ikea...-pet-projects/

This project was converting the Expedit into a giant hamster cage. Since the inner frame is basically just cardboard, the whole thing has to be waterproofed before you even attempt to place a tank on it. Any long term seepage of water into the frame will damage it beyond repair. IMO, nothing beats a solid wood frame. Although it will cost more, it gives you peace of mind.

[bravobb]

http://www.pawesome.net/2010/03/ikea...-pet-projects/

This project was converting the Expedit into a giant hamster cage. Since the inner frame is basically just cardboard, the whole thing has to be waterproofed before you even attempt to place a tank on it. Any long term seepage of water into the frame will damage it beyond repair. IMO, nothing beats a solid wood frame. Although it will cost more, it gives you peace of mind.

Very nice... these hamsters really very fortunate... miss my hamster.... they are so short-life...

[stormhawk]

Fortunate as it was, cleaning such a cage would be a time consuming task. Still, it would be a wonderful home for several hamsters. Only issue here is that soggy wood caused by the hamsters urinating will ultimately spoil in our climate. There is also the presence of formaldehyde in some IKEA products, which can be detrimental to animals and humans in the long term. However, I think they are cutting down on this. I am not sure if the Expedit has this chemical present but if yes, it should be fairly safe since the item is sold for home use.

In any event, better to be safe than sorry. Expedit by itself comes with some individual support legs I think, which lifts it off the ground if necessary.

http://www.pawesome.net/2010/03/ikea...-pet-projects/

This other hamster cage project shows the legs. TBH, I think only a 1 foot tank might be suitable for this book case. Even then, precautions must be taken not to allow water to seep into the inner frame. In these hamster projects, each part is in a section with an acrylic/plastic base to make it safe for the hamsters and to prevent them from soiling the bookcase itself. Hence, if it was an aquarium, more care would be needed.

[bravobb]

Yup, i saw the legging.
But as some already discussed that the pressure will weigh on these legs, so a 2 feet tank filled with 90% water is going to stress the legging.
I am thinking of using the ceramic tiles the previous renovation contractor has left behind to use as legging. I got quite a number of pieces and if not suitable i think i can always go buy some elsewhere.

However, to prevent water seep into the Expedit is quite a tedious task to take care... you never knows when accident do happens...
So frustrating.. metal stands quite ugly... i already got a 5 feet 2 tiers metal stand... really unsightly... don't want to have anymore of such.

[stormhawk]

You can always modify those metal stands by fixing on a plywood board, or those corrugated plastic sheets that people use for doing a notice board or project board. I used it myself in the past and it looks nice. In fact I think several LFS does this too. Cheap way to make something "ugly" look more presentable, yet still retain the sturdiness and durability required.

[bravobb]

The question is "Are these beautifying material easy to source for and not too expensive... ? "
DIY them just take some efforts and time which is ok with me, but getting such material is not like off the shelf thing...sadly.

[stormhawk]

The plastic board I mentioned is fairly cheap to purchase. I don't remember the price but they come in different sizes. I got mine at a Popular bookstore near my place. Most bookstores should have it.

http://www.egilplastics.com/product-...id=&n=1&id=215

Example of what I am referring to. I just poke a hole where I need to fix it to the frame then use a cable tie to keep it in place. Just need to do it nicely and it'll look pretty decent.

[bravobb]

The plastic board I mentioned is fairly cheap to purchase. I don't remember the price but they come in different sizes. I got mine at a Popular bookstore near my place. Most bookstores should have it.

http://www.egilplastics.com/product-...id=&n=1&id=215

Example of what I am referring to. I just poke a hole where I need to fix it to the frame then use a cable tie to keep it in place. Just need to do it nicely and it'll look pretty decent.

Thanks to you, now my 2-tier tank looks better... Cost to do it less than $5.

[stormhawk]

Looking good there. I used this myself in the past and did it cheaply.