TANK SUPPORT

   You have to be very careful in choosing a tank support. A 3 ft tank stocked with water, gravel, plants, filter etc.. would weigh a lot. It is true that the weight of the submerged material is equal to the weight of the displaced water, simple physics, but the water weight alone can be enormous. For the stand shown at the side, I would prefer a couple of cross bars at the top surface to support the tank bottom evenly. Glass aquariums need to be supported at the edges only and acrylic tanks needs a support for the entire bottom surface. The stand should be rugged, preferably of steel angle irons, welded together and ground smooth. It shall be painted with anti-corrosive paint if possible. It should also have a good look with some decorative work to look good in your living room. Otherwise your wife/husband would get it removed soon.

       

   Wooden stands also are acceptable, provided the wood is of good quality and does not get spoiled by water splash which often results. Stand should have a solid surface for the tank to sit. Place a flat piece of thermocol on the surface before seating the tank, as this cushions the weight of the tank from pressing on the stand and resulting in some damage to the bottom glass. Also this thermocol, presents a solid barrier to the fish which do not like a transparent bottom, in case you do not have gravel. Some stands come with protective moulded plastic frame for the bottom where your tank sits inside. This frame protects the bottom glass edges from getting chipped.

     

   There are also table top type aquariums of smaller capacity, which can be placed on any flat table top or surface. Usually these are acrylic moulded types, but are also available in glass nowadays.