Two part ? Tank and Stand

[Abbeys_Mom]

My first question is:
My 55g has been dry for 2 years now. Will it be ok to fill, or will the seal fail?
The second question is:
How can you tell if a stand is going to hold the weight of a full tank?
I have my empty 55g (currently holds lizards ) on a large cabinet made of partical board or mdf. It's longer then my tank with a cupboad on each end and an empty space in the middle.

[OscarFan]

1. Mine was sitting in a shed for god knows how long and it is fine to this day.
2 get 2-3 people to stand in it the average wieght for a 55g is 550lbs

[Abbeys_Mom]

I forgot to mention the tank is 25 years old.

[OscarFan]

That may pose a problem... You could always test out in the yard.....

[Abbeys_Mom]

I don't have a yard. I am in an apartment. That is part of the reason I need to be sure that the tank is not going to break or fall.

[OscarFan]

do you have a bathtub?????

[mp3rp]

I don't have a yard. I am in an apartment. That is part of the reason I need to be sure that the tank is not going to break or fall.

Try the bath tub. In my opinion the worst thing that could happen is that it will leak. I highly doubt that its going to burst just like that unless someone bangs on the glass or something.

[ladyoutlaw50]

mmmmm -- I am thinking what I might do is begin filling it a little at a time and keep checking for leaks. Maybe 5 gallons at a time???? Just a thought. If you had the room -- I would fill in the backyard and let sit for a few days to see what would happen. Can you reseal the corners to be safe???:c12:

[Abbeys_Mom]

I think I might try filling it slowly. It has been resealed once, but I don't know when that was. I got the tank from my Dad. Atleast I gave up on the 33g I used to have that was purchased in 1970. I ended up giving it away.

[Abbeys_Mom]

do you have a bathtub?????
Not sure if it would sit flat in the tub.

[cocoa_pleco]

I forgot to mention the tank is 25 years old.

might be alright, my 20g breeder is from 1972, and still holds. As long as the silicone has no rips, wrinkles, or crumbly feeling, it should be alright

personally, i would fill the tank with about 8g of water each day, and see if it leaks. If not, the next day, add 8g more. That way, you catch where its leaking

[Lady Hobbs]

I am also an apartment dweller. I set mine up in the kitchen where there was tile. No fun having it in the way for a week but I managed.

You could also set it up on newspaper somewhere else. You can tell easily on newspaper if you have a leak.

Hope it works out for you.

[NanoTankGuy]

Hey, Abbey's_Mom!
I wouldn't suggest you put your tank on anything made of particle board. I think, 55G is a bit weighty and p/board doesn't take much weight to bend (added moisture, if you drip water on it, won't help either). I'd think of a wooden or, better even, metal stand.

In terms of leakage, I'd say take Cocoa_Pleco's advice - seems reasonable and lets chlorine from your tap water "bubble out" (it takes three days for my tapwater to get rid of annoying bubbles even after I add conditioner to it)

Have fun. 55G is very spacy:)

[terrapin24h]

Particle board can be extremely strong, if it's properly re-enforced. My child hood friend had his 55 gal tank on a particle board credenza and it was fine, but there were vertical braces that formed the walls of the compartments. There were 3 compartments total, a large one in the middle, flanked by a smaller one on each end. His tank spanned all 3 compartments. Never had a problem

[NanoTankGuy]

Particle board can be extremely strong, if it's properly re-enforced. My child hood friend had his 55 gal tank on a particle board credenza and it was fine, but there were vertical braces that formed the walls of the compartments. There were 3 compartments total, a large one in the middle, flanked by a smaller one on each end. His tank spanned all 3 compartments. Never had a problem
True there. But why take chances?

[cocoa_pleco]

True there. But why take chances?

gotta agree, i would be paranoid with particle board

[sktadood13]

Particle board can be extremely strong, if it's properly re-enforced. My child hood friend had his 55 gal tank on a particle board credenza and it was fine, but there were vertical braces that formed the walls of the compartments. There were 3 compartments total, a large one in the middle, flanked by a smaller one on each end. His tank spanned all 3 compartments. Never had a problem
i agree with this but if there isnt a vertical board in the middle to support weight in the middle i would try it

[Abbeys_Mom]

It's particle board, but it does have a back brace that is secured with metal bracket. The top is an inch thick. It seems solid, I think originally it was an island or bar for a kitchen. Considering it's that the cabinet or milk crates... I think I'll try it. If it bows or leans I'll come up with “plan B”. I think I will fill the tank slowly where it is and check for leaks as it is filled. I don't really have a time constraint and it will take me a while to clean it.

[ladyoutlaw50]

Good luck and let us know how it all goes!! I will keep my fingers crossed for you!!

[NanoTankGuy]

Good luck and let us know how it all goes!! I will keep my fingers crossed for you!!
Me, too. If you're in trouble, scream your lungs out :) I'm prolly not all that far, I'll come and help :)

[Abbeys_Mom]

Posting about is all I'll be doing for now. Hubby brought up the point that we may be moving soon. So I am going to wait until we move or my Severum starts to get too big for my 27g. Whichever comes first (my bet is on the Severum, LOL).

[tropfish]

Does you husband know about fish, or cold you just make something up as to why you need to move the severum right away :ezpi_wink1:

The cabinet should be fine, just fill it slowly