timber! down goes your tank

[freddiewee]

hi all, i noticed that my cabinet has stress markes on the sides as well as the table top just below the tank itself. so much so that the verneer is cracking. do these appear on your cabinets as well? im really quite worried now, would the tank be able to hold? what i know is that it is not made out of solid wood because the veneer cracked and i can see that it is compacted wood chips. it is about 8 years now bought in 2000. now im Really worried.

if i have to change i think ill change to those metal ones, safer... how much would a good decent one for a 4fter cost?

the tank currently holds about 4 inches of gravel, 3 rocks weighting 17kg total. 2 big diftwood, approx 14kg total and water filled just below top.

but i mean, shouldnt a tank be able to hold it up? ive never abused it.


my tank is a jebo R2 series, model R219. link is here. second from the top.
http://www.jeboaquarium.com/R2%20Ser...0Aquariums.htm

worried worried, just dont want my assets to go to waste not to say the furniture in the living room too

anyone has stories to share bout their fish tank and how they faired?

[jason6142004]

i dont think the cabinet really safe... is it just crack or are the wood chips already falling off?

[bossteck]

One sure sign that your cabinet is 'going soon' would be difficulty in opening the cabinet doors.

[torque6]

One sure sign that your cabinet is 'going soon' would be difficulty in opening the cabinet doors.

agree with bossteck.

Your cabinet bought from ikea or furniture shop? Stress marks is an indication that its going to collapse. If possible might want to check out aquastar for ready made "aquarium" cabinets or CR aquarium on some of their cabinets.

[freddiewee]

oh no.... i have noticed that the doors have become harder to open over the years.... rubbing against the floor of the cabinet.

no wood chips but i can see that it is under stress because the compacted wood is bulging so much that the verneer cracked!

nope the cabinet is the exact one that came with the tank.

i think i should change, could anyone suggest anything? preferably ones that last for a long time. like metal for instance. and how much would it cost?

worried worried...

[XnSdVd]

Your cabinet was made with fibreboard from the sound of it, it'll go soon. Time to change to stainless steel

[freddiewee]

yes yes! very "kan chong" now..... to all those out there, invest in a good stand

know any lfs that will help me? or do they sell stock ones? preferably 2 tier so i can put stuff below (fish food, filter, etc).

really worried, i saw the middle column that transfers load to the bottom bulging.... take a pic and show u guys soon.

[freddiewee]

here are the pics, and now that i see it it worries me even more.

1st pic, table top just below tank.
2nd pic, right corner.
3rd pic, left corner
4th pic, centre column (notice it buldging!)
5th pic, back table top (sheering off to the front of the tank!)

[freddiewee]

plan to solve this by this weekend... anyone has any good advice to give? esp where i could get a stainless steel stand?

[vinz]

Dude... you do NOT want broken glass, a flood and dying fish all over the room. Not to mention the ire of your home affairs minister. Any kids, old folks at home?

Drain half the water as soon as you get home. Worse case, remove the plants (assuming its' planted) to a pail so that your fish have space to swim.
Don't wait till the weekend, change the stand ASAP! If nothing else, at least transfer the tank to the floor or a stable table temporarily.

Anyway, how big is the tank?

One possibility is to get an Ikea solid pine stand. There is one, which I can't remember the name that can take up to 500kg (if I remember correctly) load per shelf. (At Ikea Alexandra, it's stored near the plants section) You can bring home straight away and install. Plus you can install as many shelves as you want. Remember to buy/install the cross-bars.

Don't forget, if you order certain type of stands (from wherever), they may require time to deliver and install.

[Aquaculture]

Lessen the load on your cabinet for the time being. At least it would delay for a while. Your situation can be quite dangerous especially when it decides to 'explode' while some one is near it. Do consider shifting it to the floor while you source for a cabinet or carpenter (but look for those whom have experience in tanks). Here's a lead I found up to custom make your cabinet/tank;

91065198, Lim
96672353, Wee Yang

Give me a tinkle if you need some muscle to shift your tank...

[freddiewee]

after hearing the many panicked cries from all i think i should really get to action. so ive taken out 1/2 the water and few items inside.

i didnt tink it was that serious till i saw the pictures myself!

called aquastar and said it is possible to be done by the weekend.

Pray pray that it doesnt come down by then...

Cabinet dont fail me now!!!! you've not let me down for the past 8 years.... ill never invest in a wooden one ever. tend to rot and warp!

[dcwk]

You have a cabinet made of compressed chipboard. Chipboard does not last. Solid wood like Chengai is durable. Metal stand of course is the cheaper alternative.

[freddiewee]

yes cheap and good.... and lasts for a long long time. im getting a metal wrought iron stand for approx $150. quite worth it actually, including delivery.

i think can be solved by this weekend. hopefully. keep you guys updated.

[XnSdVd]

Actually... stay away from solid wood for environmental reasons.

Good plywood or blockboards are even stronger and more durable. i've got an 800 liter tank(about 1200~kg) tank on a large plywood shelf. no problems there.

[muakmuak]

Didn't realise my 4ft tank is also in danger until I read this post. Though there are no cracks, but the door is becoming more and more difficult to open/close. And due to my carelessness, there was water spillage ends up some rotting of the bottom of the leg.

I better filter out 50% of the water by today. Looking for a metal stand wrap with wood for aesthetic purpose. Anyone can recommend some contacts?

[torque6]

here are the pics, and now that i see it it worries me even more.

1st pic, table top just below tank.
2nd pic, right corner.
3rd pic, left corner
4th pic, centre column (notice it buldging!)
5th pic, back table top (sheering off to the front of the tank!)

cracked until like this... really timber, down goes the tank "soon".

[freddiewee]

working on it working on it. what do you guys think if i incorporated a bar that extends from the stand so that i can hang lights and what not in the future?

i mean its just an idea.... what do you guys think? coming up with ideas to give the wielder tomorrow.

anyway i emptied the tank even more. any advice on how i can preserve my precious plants and lifestock so they dont go into shock while i tansfer them from main tank to holding tank then to tank again? im most afraid for the shrimps. im expecting casualties already.

[freddiewee]

hi all on AQ,

as you can see my tank is in a pretty bad shape. i just checked out some tanks.

went to the lfs and spoke to one of the workers there and he told me that it is advisable to change the whole set, he claims that since the tank is 8 years old the silicon may have hardened and shifting the tank from the old cabinet may cause it to leak due to the change in position that it was supported for the past 8 years, silicon may stretch, glass may not take it, etc etc. he said that he personally come across cases where people just change to wrought iron stand then their tanks couldnt take the stresses of a different position and broke and leaked.

Has anyone have any advice on this? should i keep the tank or get a new one?

and do you guys think i should up from a 4fter to a 5fter?

Should i go for a wooden cabinet like my current or a wrought iron one?

i think a 4fter is quite large already and if i custom built it with stand and all it will cost around 390. to up it to a 5fter the cost would be least 1/2 more of the current price quoted.

i wouldnt mind going for a custom made one but the glass is not tampered, fear it might crack under all the pressure from the sand and rocks, driftwood and water.

i wouldnt mind investing in a good tank but a red note under a thousand $990?! that is a little too expensive, knowing that i might have to change every half a decade or so... only good side i see is that it is tampered glass but has a wooden cabinet (which would rot again, eventually)

advice needed... thanks, cheers!

Freddie

*** Edit by Vinz: No coloured notes encryption please! ***

[freddiewee]

hi all, went to wuhu and found out they actually get their tanks from coral reef... but that takes time to make and deliver.

i have a request. does anyone know where i can find readily avaliable 4ft tanks in their shop that come as a set like mine above?

decided not to get locally made ones as i am afraid that my young enthusiastic cousins will knock the glass like they did to mine before.

cheers,
Freddie