Stu :) Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 Will a 1500mm Long x 500mm Wide x 1100mm High stand made out of 12mm MDF be strong enough? I'm guessing with water, gravel, etc she'll be 500kg+ area. Many thanks, Stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_W Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 MDF and water isn't the best combination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 i would go thicker if you intend to use MDF and using timber bracing with a tank that big Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32GOTMLK Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 id go 18mm min thickness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 It depends on the design of the stand. You would need solid timber framing, and make sure the MDF never spans a gap of more than about 300 - 400 mm without support. Also make sure it is sealed all over (including underneath and any cut ends). A good strong design and solid construction is the key. There are a few threads about home-made tank stands on here, and some of them contain very valuable tips so it's worth a search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 The stand for my 5 x 2 x 2ft tank is made from MDF.. It is made from 20mm and was made by one of the reputable shops in Auckland. I don't like the design of it however it is basically just a box with no bracing etc and no actual timber. Plus the fact I overflowed my tank all over it and it all swelled up and is now ruined. I have started making a new stand for it which is 4 x 2 framing and going to be clad in rimu t & g which I found cheap on trademe. If I was you and I was building a stand I would think twice about MDF or at the very least seal it if it was the only material you could use or you were getting it free.. To me there is no point in going through all the work of building one and not doing it well enough so that it can survive getting wet and go the distance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ianab Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 I wouldn't use MDF either. 4x2s and plywood will be strong and have some water resistance. T&G timber looks better, but ply will be stronger, and cheaper if you have to buy the materials. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32GOTMLK Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 mdf is fine as long as you dont get it wet which isnt hard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 mdf is fine as long as you dont get it wet which isnt hard lol I would think with a fishtank being filled with water and sitting on top of it the odds of it getting wet are quite high? IMO build something good strong and water resistant do it once and do it right.. At least then if you do have an accident then you know it will be fine and not swell up and fall to bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 I have a 1200mm fish tank in a cabinet built from MDF. It sits on a very strong Wooden frame to distribute the load over the floor and I paid a packet to have it painted inside and out with two pot high quality waterproof paint. It is also glued with marine glue. It has been going for many years and is still OK. Without those three things I wouldn't touch mdf for that use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 I see no one has mentioned powder coated steel stands, i have a 500 and an 800 litre tank and never even thought of timber when steel is so much stronger and permanent, dead straight with no flexing and when powder coated theres no prob with water and you can easily clad it in timber. When thinking what 500+ litres of water would look like on my lounge floor not to mention the loss of fish, tank, filters, heaters etc a very easy choice/insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMAZONIAN Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Hi All in relation to cost versus strength I would and have used hollow "EWS" steel and painted it. Works perfectly and lasts forever. :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 Works perfectly and lasts forever. :roll: until it rusts... 12mm MDF is a definite no, even for a small tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMAZONIAN Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 Hi All Thanks for that. The stands that are white are eight years old and so far haven't rusted away David R. If steel is prepared and painted with good quality paint and workmanship, and looked after, there is no reason why it wont last a lifetime. :roll: Etch primed steel is incapable of rusting unless you break through the etch coated layer itself and that is very hard to do as etch primer is as hard as nails. I know of many people that built stands out of "TIMBER" not "Weetbix Board" and had them rot in a couple of years. I personally think whatever you use to make a tank stand is a matter of economic choice, but INO steel far outweighs the cost of using timber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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