stands for acrylic tanks

[David]

Hi gang! It has always been my understanding that acrylic tanks need to sit on solid base stand, like table top. Today I looked at 55 fo plastic tank on "open frame" stand, no bottom support, only along edges. Guy wants to add 150 lbs of sand and rock for conversion to reef tank. I think it needs solid base, but I was wrong once before (thought I'd made a mistake). What do you think? As always, tia for your comments.

[Ninong]

Your understanding is correct. All acrylic tanks must have full, solid support under them. What will happen to his tank is that the bottom of the tank will sag and the tank will eventually fail.

Please explain this to him but it may not be his fault. He may have been sold that setup by his LFS just that way. Some LFS don't realize that acrylic tanks cannot be set up on regular glass-tank stands.

If you do a search on Reef Central, or some of the other boards, you will find threads about this exact situation. In one thread that I remember, the hobbyist was upset because the LFS sold him an acrylic tank with a regular glass-tank stand and then when the tank failed, he had problems getting warranty coverage from the acrylic tank manufacturer.

Ninong

[David]

Nice to know I'm not nuts, Im going to make 3/4 plywood base for tank, that ought to hold it, don't you think?

[Ninong]

Yes.