Question about aquarium stand

[Jeremy]

Hi Guys

I have a 29gal aquarium that I got from my mom's work. The stand that they had it on for years looks to be MDF. Here is the thing. I have had the tank setup now for close to 3 years and for some reason now im worrying that its going collapse. I assume that if it has stood for this long it will keep staying up. It must have been treated with something because water just beads up on it if it gets wet.

If the stand to fail would it be a slow sag or would it be a spontaneous collapse? They said that when they bought the aquarium they also bought the stand with it and that it was made for it?

[Jeremy]

forgot to mention. I assume its a 29gal as the tank dimenions are 30 inches long X 12 inches deep X 20 inches high

[mizzoutank]

any chance you can posts pictures of the stand?

[Jeremy]

I will have to see if I have a pic of mine. But it looks somewhat like this one.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/standbd.jpg/

[madagascariensis]

weaknesses will first show in ways such as bowing walls. with regular inspection you should be able to catch anything early on. however, if you ever
have the slightest feeling that your stand might be in any way compromised, I would replace it. whether the worry is real or not, the expense is better
than living with the constant unease that you will one day find fish and water all over the floor of your house.

[Jeremy]

Thanks madagascar.

The thing looks in great shape, now bowing or anything. I just asked because I was curious. I see alot of stand are made out of MDF? If I was to ever to anything that looked out of the ordinary such as bowing or leaning. I would have it replaced.

[Dennis Bissett]

As Madagascar said, weaknesses will show up before a total failure. A 29 gallon is around about 300 lbs, from the pic you posted the stand looks more than capable of handling it. Again watch for sagging, bowing or swelling as early indicators of a problem