Aquarium Dude Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Working on my new mdf stand and was wondering if it needs something across the front, its for a 450l 5.5' tank and has 4 uprights spaced evenly across its length with an 18mm back (inside top, sides and bottom, so its really strong). The thing is that there isnt much support across the front and it does bow a wee bit under 60kg of weight (right at the front in between 2 uprights. I was thinking I could put a rail across the front to help. Also do you thing 4 uprights is enough or should I put in an extra 3. Ps. Its all 18mm mdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkey Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 I personaly got nervous when i had a MDF stand what if it got wet etc etc I would put the extra braceing in and sleep at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Do you have no framing at all? Is it all MDF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 No framing just mdf, but even now its really really really heavy and strong and of course the tank is 1/2 a ton but its spread out over 8000 cm2 and so if my calculations are correct each space 10x10cm on the top only has about 6kg on it,which is practicly nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 A picture would be great. Ive got 3 setups which are like cabinets made from mdf which hold either 3 or 4 tanks which are stacked above each other running to sumps etc, theyre ok but the shleves were the tank/s sit on have warped and I had to put some supports across under the shelve to stop this/support them. I bought them complete so had to make do, but in future if I make anything id never use mdf and if I did i would support it with something much stronger as in time it tends to warp IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Hubby is a cabinet maker by trade.. he said that he would have made an internal framing out of 4 x 2 and would have clad with MDF.. That is a pretty big tank, you have to take into count, tank weight, stones, water etc...It is an overall strength issue and that is a bit of a worry that there is a slight bow with 60kg.. That's just how he would have done it. Ideally you want the tank sitting dead flat, poly underneath is a good thing. Are you going to seal the MDF? The problem MDF has is if getting wet and swelling which in turn will weaken your joins etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 This is seriously strong, I can jump on it and I worry about things so it will be twice as strong as it needs to be. Ps. looking at the mdf stands it lfs its stronger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Well if you are happy with it, then that's cool but as extra precautions it would be best to strength the stand as much as you possibly can.. How did you join your MDF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 i would recommend extra front supports. Im a cabinet maker also & its all about transferring the load to the floor (better make sure the floor will handle 500+ kg) by having base on the floor, verticle supports that push down on top of the base (not like a kitchen cabinet where the ends do not sit on top of the base) & a top or shelf that sits on top of verticle supports. Add some bracing to prevent the verticles from bowing & you'll be fine. I recommend glueing & screwing the panels together, these will not support any real weight as it is transferred from the top through the verticles, through the base & onto the floor. Hope this all makes sense. Smidey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 As Earthquake proof as possible is perfect Have you got any pics of your stand Aquarium Dude? Would love to see your tank progress when it's time to fill it up! 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 I made it with the two ends right down to the concreter floor, then a base in between the two ends with the other 2 uprights on it, though will add a rail across the front and 2 more uprights hard against the end 2 to support the rail. so i suppose really that it is going through the base. All mdf is glued and screwed and joins are strong type (top is on top of uprights so that the upright would have to fail to make the top cave in, as opposed to the top being screwed to the side of the uprights, which would be asking for trouble) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowfax Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 i have to agree with what others have said about making a frame then lining it with mdf, what are the uprights made of? im hoping u dont say just mdf, heavy doesn't = strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Just remember: - Your tank will weight over half a tonne when finished - If the tank bends more than the poly allows the base WILL crack If you want to test it, get 8 or so friends standing on it. Personally I would never build a stand out of MDF, only use it as an exterior piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Yeah once tank, substrate, water, rocks etc are added (if you are going rocks) I am pretty sure to that it will exceed the 500 kg mark... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 You are making me nervous, but lots of proffesional stands are mdf and less than there is on my one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Yea your right its actually 600ish Water Type..............................Freshwater Material................................Glass Tank Overhead Shape.....................Rectangular Length..................................65.00 in. Width...................................22.50 in. Height..................................20.00 in. Wall-thickness..........................0.40 in. Volume..................................479.32 L Tank Material Weight....................86.32 kgf Water Volume............................448.74 L Water Weight............................447.44 kgf Substrate Type..........................Sand Average Substrate Depth.................2.00 in. Substrate Weight........................70.66 kgf Approximate Total Weight................604.42 kgf Room Air Temperature....................14.00 °C Water Temperature.......................24.50 °C Heating Capability Required.............298.70 W Approx. Total Fish Length...............121.87 in. Mass Required for 1 PPM.................0.00 kg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Yeah I have noticed that myself actually. I just don't trust MDF I guess. Worth a shot dude, just make sure to test it first, get heaps of people to stand on it so you have a similar weight, and see how it stands up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 saw a 5ish foot aqua one tank the other day on mdf (Even I would be wary of that particular stand) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Didn't mean to make you nervous... Sorry if we did :lol: Just better to be safer than sorry is all Just make sure you do the "Riverdance" test Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Riverdance test???????? I agree, better safe than sorry!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 That toe pointing dance the Irish people seem to manage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Oh :roll: :roll: Am I right in thinking weight is evenly distributed over the tanks bottoms surface, if so it will easily hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quack Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 yeah i hate making stands and doing the first fill. i was so scared when i made my 850l stand :-? it was over built imo tho and havnt had any problems yet (touch wood) and its been running probly 6 months now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quack Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 i would say that you stand will be ok from what i have read. some pics will help tho! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 How do I put up pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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