best stand for a 29?

[cajunqn81]

I have a space that will take a 29g, but only if the stand base doesn't sit on the floor; there's a weird angled vent there that sticks partway into the floor, and partway into the wall. I'd really like something with storage, but haven't seen anything that large that doesn't sit flush on the floor. Which means my only reasonable option is probably going to be a metal stand, which I was trying to avoid.

So, metal stand users: What stands have you found to be the sturdiest/most stable, considering that this stand will most likely be on carpet and will have to deal with cats and small children on a regular basis? Or given those parameters, am I out of luck?

Everyone else: If you've seen a cabinet-style stand that doesn't sit flush to the floor, like with a 4-6" gap below, PLEASE let me know. Short of a custom build, I'm running out of options.

[Slaphppy7]

I'm having a hard time understanding exactly how the "vent thing" is situated

[SueD]

http://www.petco.com/product/124341/Petco-Preferred-Winston-29-Gallon-Tank-Stand.aspx?CoreCat=MM_FishSupplies_StandsFurniture

Not quite flush to the floor.

Here's another

http://www.petsmart.com/fish/aquarium-stands/top-fin-37gal-durham-aquarium-stand-zid36-17612/cat-36-catid-300066?var_id=36-17612&_t=pfm%3Dcategory

[cajunqn81]

40364

This is what we're dealing with.

Sue, I had looked at those two online before. Unfortunately, they didn't have them on display in the store here, and no one seemed able to find the information I needed to see if they might work. If someone could find that height for sure, then I wouldn't have to rule them out as options.

[Slaphppy7]

Is that a working vent?...if so, blocking it may not be a good idea

May cause fluctuating temps too close to the tank

[cajunqn81]

It is a working vent, which is why I need to find a stand that isn't going to block it. So far, most everything I've found either doesn't have the needed clearance to not block it, or there are no specs available to determine if it's workable. Even talked to the Petco lady, who checked the product spec books, and she couldn't even find the info on the one Sue suggested.

[Slaphppy7]

We have the first one she linked, the "Winston"....I can check the height when I get home, but if memory serves me correctly, it's not very tall...the space you are needing, that is

[MCHRKiller]

TitanEze stands are really good I use them in my fish room. Light weight and super strong. You can get them at drsfostersmith.com.

[Slaphppy7]

Are all of the TitanEze stands double, for 2 tanks?....it's all I see on drsfostersmith....

[MCHRKiller]

They all fit 2 tanks of the same size, you of course don't have to put a 2nd one on there. You can also have a piece of wood cut and painted to make a shelf for storage on the bottom. I have even seen people make a skirt for the stands.

[Lady10Godiva]

It is also possible to redirect the vent so that it blows out the front of the stand. I did this for a vent under my kitchen sink. The original sink was floating and I put in a cabinet. I used foil backed insulation board and metal duct tape. Was pretty easy to do (but you would likely have to diy a cabinet to house it).

[cajunqn81]

Price doesn't look too bad on those, either. What does concern me, since I've never used a metal stand before... Is it just redistributing the weight around the edges? Or how does that work? The fact that there's nothing under the bottom of the tank makes me a tad nervous...

[Slaphppy7]

Tanks are supported by the trim only...the bottom glass is recessed, wouldn't touch a solid surface anyway

It was a difficult concept for me to wrap my head around at first, too

[cajunqn81]

So no worries about the tank bottom randomly falling out? Unless it was poorly-made to begin with, of course...

[Slaphppy7]

Yep, no worries...my wooden DIY stand isn't solid on the top...

[cajunqn81]

(sighs in relief) That makes me feel much better. Think I might not mention that little fact to Mr. Cajun, though, or he'll be pulling up the patent specs and dissecting them...

[Slaphppy7]

Glad to help calm your fears....

[cajunqn81]

Normal people dream of flying/falling/whatever. I have nightmares of exploding aquariums and fish everywhere...

[Slaphppy7]

I've dreamed of walking up to my tank, and it's empty, with fish flopping on the substrate...scary stuff

[cajunqn81]

It's something only one of US would really get. Everybody else is 'they're just fish!'

[Slaphppy7]

That's right...the "they're just fish" people don't realize the fish are our babies

[cajunqn81]

Got in it one

[Slaphppy7]

I don't follow.....

[cajunqn81]

About the not-fish-people...

[Slaphppy7]

Ahh...they're best avoided, IMO

[cajunqn81]

Or converted to the Dark Side...

[RiversGirl]

So no worries about the tank bottom randomly falling out? Unless it was poorly-made to begin with, of course... and tonight's featured nightmare is...


Yep, no worries...my wooden DIY stand isn't solid on the top...
WOW! truly? I learn something new every day.

What I am not understanding the need for then is the Styrofoam sheet I've read that so many people put under their tanks. I was going to put that under any future tanks. What does it do, again?

[Slaphppy7]

What I am not understanding the need for then is the Styrofoam sheet I've read that so many people put under their tanks. I was going to put that under any future tanks. What does it do, again?

The foam board is recommended for DIY stands, because any imperfections along the surface of the stand where the tank will sit may stress the tank trim, and cause the glass to crack.

Store bought stands don't really need it; their surface is true and flat with no imperfections

I only have the foam board on my DIY 40B stand, the other 2 tanks sit directly on a stand and a table that is perfectly flat.

[Taurus]

TitanEze stands are really good I use them in my fish room. Light weight and super strong. You can get them at drsfostersmith.com.

Do they need any modification Jenn or are they stable with a tank only on the top ? Thinking of getting one for my 30 gallon tank. :sconfused:

[MCHRKiller]

They are fine with only one tank on top...the weight of the tank makes it stable. Obviously the weight of 2 tanks makes it even more stable. No mods needed...Ive used these stands for years and have owned every size of them. The stands I bought for my future 75G tanks honestly weight about 20lbs, and take about 5mins to assemble. You figure your 30G stand will have over 300lbs sitting on it...so that baby probably isn't going anywhere unless you really intend to pull it down. These stands are also much easier to level as you can shim a single leg if you need to. As for neatness...it is possible to have a neat look with an open metal stand. Just tie your cords with zip ties and mount the power strip to the wall.