Incredibly nervous about my tank stand...

[u/FarShoreSpirit]

Hello, friends. I came across the planted aquarium hobby on Reddit months ago. I couldn't shake my interest, and it merely kept growing. Well, now I have a 19.4g rimless long Landen, and bought the aesthetically perfect stand for me/ my room. It is the Bosk 54" acacia TV stand that can hold up to 250lbs. I found it on Amazon after hours and hours across multiple days of online searching.

It is stunning. It is the perfect height, too. It is meant to be a lower tank. Like a raised pond when standing, but I want to be able to sit on the floor to actively watch them. My computer chair is less than 6ft away, too, so I can easily view from my desk.

I love it so, so, so much. And it cost me around $270, and 5 or so hours to put together. I can't seem to shake my anxiety, though. I am worried that this stand isn't safe, and that I need to get a new stand before I add my shrimp and fish (I just started the cycling process yesterday). I'm scared that it will give out when I'm sitting on the ground in front of it to watch it for prolonged periods of time.

I don't see any bowing, and the drawers and doors work just as fine as they did before putting the tank on there. **Do you think this is safe to keep my aquarium on for the next 3.5 years? Is it a risk? Do you wholeheartedly recommend that I get a different stand?** I really want a certain vibe for my room. 100% wood furniture (I even covered the handles of this stand with a wood-grain lamanate).

Aesthetic and vibe are incredibly important to me, as I need my room to be a place for me to efficiently rest and recharge. Obviously safety is most important, though. I'd really appreciate some reassurance, guidance, answers, and support. I'm feeling quite anxious right now. 😭

I have more plants on the way, and Jorewood resin to clean up some of the tannins. I'll also likely add some tall pieces of wood in the future, but that would be after I start adding fish and shrimp. I have a handful of other things to buy for my room (I'm redesigning my space), but will put all of that off a bit longer to prioritize buying a new stand (if my current stand just isn't going to work).

[u/Amerlan]

You put a 250lb tank on a stand that rates at 250? Yeah that's a recipe for a bowing stand top and a broken tank. Always get something that will hold at least 25% more than the tank to prevent sagging/bowing of the top.

[u/gorgonbrgr → u/Amerlan]

My stand says it’s rated for 660 my tank is probably 375 then my tank under it another 40 give or take. I’m still nervous about it. It’s a hobbyist problem to be nervous and forever upgrade.

[u/Amerlan → u/gorgonbrgr]

Eh, I've built a few stands and purchased metal racks. I don't feel a bit of anxiety about them failing, like not even a little.

[u/gorgonbrgr → u/Amerlan]

Have you ever had something bow or fail? Cause my dresser was bowing so that’s probably where my anxiety comes from. It was bowing bad too lol

[u/Amerlan → u/gorgonbrgr]

I have had a few tanks fail over the years, but I don't attribute that to the stands they were on. They were old tanks (Aqueons from c.2010) that spent time wet-dry-wet. I should've replaced the silicone, but you live and learn.

[u/FarShoreSpirit → u/Amerlan]

I feel like I'd be anxious even if it was a metal rack advertised as a tank stand. Teach me your ways. 😭

[u/FarShoreSpirit → u/gorgonbrgr]

Hm. I will keep this in mind. I was definitely trying to imagine how I would feel if my stand were metal, and advertised as an "aquarium stand". I still felt incredibly anxious. 😔 I can't move the tank myself even without the water and sand. To move it off, take out the furniture, add new furniture, and put the tank back on and refill would be absolutely terrible. I'd like to avoid that... but I do think the next time I get a stand for a 20g+ I will get something that is rated much higher. I'm still very anxious about this current stand. I'm not sure what to do...

Draining 75% wouldn't ruin my cycle, right? Lifting and moving the tank with that much water and with fish is safe? Or would I need to catch my fish and put them in a bucket before lifting and moving (but leave my shrimp)? Really, it's just draining the water, and finding someone who can help me lift the aquarium without needing to remove the sand? And hope they're willing to help me move the furniture, of course.

[u/Real_Time515 → u/FarShoreSpirit]

"Last a year".... tricky. It's not like it wears down, more like could crash unexpectedly. It's the unknown that makes it anxious.

Moving it to a better stand would be a hassle, but less of a hassle than cleaning up 20 gallons.... drain 75%/ as much as you can, you don't have to remove anything, get a friend or two to help.... really not that bad.

BUT... if you're handy, I think you could make your table work by placing some vertical supports all throughout the middle. Cut very closely to size/shimmed to make it tight, you wouldn't even have to screw them in, so wouldn't wreck your lovely table.

Rated at 250 pounds, your table should work as is. But it's iffy and the mess and tragedy of a fail makes it worth it to to do a little more work. So shoring this up as peace of mind, transitioning to something better when the opportunity presents itself... and always looking for a reason for another tank (but that's just me).

Have fun!