Cinder block stand help..... - Aquarium Advice

Meaile · 06-11-2005, 10:30 PM

Hello, I have a 45 [acronym:2c57e9a49c="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2c57e9a49c] tank I would like to set up but I have no stand. I have read about the cinder block and 2x4 ideas but I'm wondering....

Would it would be safe to omit the 2x4's and have the tank sitting directly on top of the cinder blocks?

I was thinking of laying them " lllll "

Should I adhere them together or will their own weight and the weight of the tank keep them from shifting? (the floor is level)

I was also wondering about styrofoam insulation. If I were to place a sheet under the tank would it be under the glass only or the entire tank including the plastic rim? Any thickness suggestions?

I dont really need it to look pretty, just to support my tank.

id10t · 06-12-2005, 12:00 AM

Is you tank glass or acrylic? Either way, I'd make sure you have a nice level surface that has as much support as possible - figure between 8 and 9 lbs per gallon, plus the weight of rocks, the tank itself, ligting, etc. And keep the bottom of the tank on something "softer" thank the cinderblock - some 1x8s next to eachother, etc.

Meaile · 06-12-2005, 12:06 AM

It is a glass tank. So, what I'm understanding so far is putting a row of 2x4's or 1x8's on top is so the tank sits on something softer than the cinder blocks... would a sheet of plywood or panneling (without grooves) be appropriate?

FMJnaX · 06-12-2005, 12:31 AM

a good 3\8" sheet of plywood should be fine I would imagine. You may be able to use smaller, but I wouldn't personally recommend it.

Meaile · 06-12-2005, 12:43 AM

Great! I'll go that route! Thanks so much! I love this site and I'm so happy I found it!

krap101 · 06-12-2005, 12:49 AM

it could warp if it gets wet though.

Meaile · 06-12-2005, 01:27 AM

This is true. I went down to the Home Depot today and they had a piece of countertop that looked like it would work. Probably better than strait plywood....

RogerMcAllen · 06-12-2005, 01:53 AM

I don't really like the way you are stacking them. If you do them in the verticle orientation, a band around the outside to keep them from falling would be nice (perhaps a tiedown strap).

I would suggest laying them down the long way and stack them up like a brick wall 2 courses high. That would seem to be a more stable configuration.

Meaile · 06-12-2005, 02:18 AM

The reason why I'm stacking them " lllll " is because I'm only using one row. I want to keep the tank close to the ground but not actually on it. Good suggestion if I go higher though. I like the tie strap idea....

This may be a dumb question but.... Are cinder blocks strong enough? I have never used them.

dr_girlfriend · 06-12-2005, 08:35 AM

if you wanted to go el cheapo for the wood, just get 1/2" mdf with the white coating on it. that way its protected from water spills and way cheaper than plywood. Or you could put epoxy over plain mdf to waterproof it.
Cinder blocks should be plenty strong for your 45 gallon

06-11-2005, 10:30 PM	#1
Meaile Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Columbia River Gorge Posts: 78	Cinder block stand help..... Hello, I have a 45 [acronym:2c57e9a49c="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2c57e9a49c] tank I would like to set up but I have no stand. I have read about the cinder block and 2x4 ideas but I'm wondering.... Would it would be safe to omit the 2x4's and have the tank sitting directly on top of the cinder blocks? I was thinking of laying them " lllll " Should I adhere them together or will their own weight and the weight of the tank keep them from shifting? (the floor is level) I was also wondering about styrofoam insulation. If I were to place a sheet under the tank would it be under the glass only or the entire tank including the plastic rim? Any thickness suggestions? I dont really need it to look pretty, just to support my tank.

06-12-2005, 12:31 AM	#4
FMJnaX Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 538 Images: 2	a good 3\8" sheet of plywood should be fine I would imagine. You may be able to use smaller, but I wouldn't personally recommend it. __________________ 75 Gallon High-Tech Planted Community 3.5 WPG using T8's Fluorite w/sand mix Rena Filstar XP2 Pressurized CO2 w/SMS122 29 Gallon Goldfish 4" Red/White Ryunkin 4" Orange Fantail Penguin 100 AquaClear 20

06-12-2005, 12:49 AM	#6
krap101 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 3,824 Images: 12	it could warp if it gets wet though. __________________ Wizards first rule-People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true. Wizards second rule-The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. Wizards third rule-Passion rules reason. Wizards fourth rule-There is magic in forgiveness the magic to heal! In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive. Wizards fifth rule-Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie. Wizards sixth rule-The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason. Wizards seventh rule-Life is the future, not the past Wizards eighth rule-Deserve victory. Wizards ninth rule-Contradictions don't exist, in whole or in part.

06-12-2005, 01:53 AM	#8
RogerMcAllen Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 2,360 Images: 16	I don't really like the way you are stacking them. If you do them in the verticle orientation, a band around the outside to keep them from falling would be nice (perhaps a tiedown strap). I would suggest laying them down the long way and stack them up like a brick wall 2 courses high. That would seem to be a more stable configuration. __________________ Have your reviewed your aquarium products yet?

06-12-2005, 08:35 AM	#10
dr_girlfriend Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: N. CA Posts: 701 Images: 23	if you wanted to go el cheapo for the wood, just get 1/2" mdf with the white coating on it. that way its protected from water spills and way cheaper than plywood. Or you could put epoxy over plain mdf to waterproof it. Cinder blocks should be plenty strong for your 45 gallon __________________ Fish are friends, not food We weep for the bird's cry, but not for the blood of a fish. Blessed are those who have voice. Pinky: "What are those Brain?" (pointing to a group of people protesting) Brain: "People without jobs Pinky." N. California aquarium maintenance, scuba certification, and boat services. Need computer services in N. California? Click here!

06-12-2005, 12:00 AM	#2
id10t Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fl Posts: 99	Is you tank glass or acrylic? Either way, I'd make sure you have a nice level surface that has as much support as possible - figure between 8 and 9 lbs per gallon, plus the weight of rocks, the tank itself, ligting, etc. And keep the bottom of the tank on something "softer" thank the cinderblock - some 1x8s next to eachother, etc.

06-12-2005, 12:06 AM	#3
Meaile Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Columbia River Gorge Posts: 78	It is a glass tank. So, what I'm understanding so far is putting a row of 2x4's or 1x8's on top is so the tank sits on something softer than the cinder blocks... would a sheet of plywood or panneling (without grooves) be appropriate?

06-12-2005, 12:43 AM	#5
Meaile Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Columbia River Gorge Posts: 78	Great! I'll go that route! Thanks so much! I love this site and I'm so happy I found it!

06-12-2005, 01:27 AM	#7
Meaile Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Columbia River Gorge Posts: 78	This is true. I went down to the Home Depot today and they had a piece of countertop that looked like it would work. Probably better than strait plywood....

06-12-2005, 02:18 AM	#9
Meaile Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Columbia River Gorge Posts: 78	The reason why I'm stacking them " lllll " is because I'm only using one row. I want to keep the tank close to the ground but not actually on it. Good suggestion if I go higher though. I like the tie strap idea.... This may be a dumb question but.... Are cinder blocks strong enough? I have never used them.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cinder block stand	duckdog	DIY Projects	6	05-20-2006 02:17 AM
Cinder Block as decoration	T1TAN23	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	4	07-16-2005 03:03 PM
Goldfish neutralizer block	kagentx	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	13	04-03-2005 01:57 PM
FS: 55 Gallon glass tank and cinder-block stand ~$100 in OC,	smooth	Classifieds	29	01-28-2005 12:28 PM
Random photo block	fishfreek	Community News & Announcements	1	08-29-2002 11:26 PM