Help - particle board in stand is disintegrating

[Clarkjw2002]

+1 on the stock tank. I kept my fish in a 100 gal stock tank from Tractor Supply with live rock for almost two yrs as I moved and built the new system. Corals were fragged and kept in a small tank.

This would give you time to plan but also eliminate the risk of a catastrophic collapse (and Loss). From the pics it’s not looking good.

 

[threebuoys]

If that was my tank, I would not be able to sleep at night until the stand was completely replaced. I had a 5 gallon leak once. Can't imagine what a 70 gallon leak would do. The old stand is not repairable. Either buy or build a new stand. Buy a couple of brute trashcans to hold the water and contents while you remove the old stand and perform any maintenance to the tank and sump.

 

[RobertK]

Thanks for all the advice. That stand is toast. Its also been developing a gap at the bottom, probably from the same water damage.

 

[RobertK]

I think I have a plan. I still have my old 60 gallon acrylic tank in the garage, which this glass tank replaced. Going to fill it from a hose today and make sure it doesn't leak. I also have a 20 gallon quarantine tank that I'm gonna get up and running. Assuming the old 60 gallon tank doesn't leak I'll buy (if I can find one cheap on Craigslist) or build a temporary stand for it. I'll get the fish in the Q tank and the rocks and corals in the old 60 gallon. Should be able to get that done in a few days. Will probably proceed with upgrading to a new tank after that. Wasn't planning on getting a new tank but oh well.

 

[Dom]

I think I have a plan. I still have my old 60 gallon acrylic tank in the garage, which this glass tank replaced. Going to fill it from a hose today and make sure it doesn't leak. I also have a 20 gallon quarantine tank that I'm gonna get up and running. Assuming the old 60 gallon tank doesn't leak I'll buy (if I can find one cheap on Craigslist) or build a temporary stand for it. I'll get the fish in the Q tank and the rocks and corals in the old 60 gallon. Should be able to get that done in a few days. Will probably proceed with upgrading to a new tank after that. Wasn't planning on getting a new tank but oh well.

I think you're being wise by getting the tank broken down before there is a catastrophic failure. I mean, you have everything you need. Doing this takes the pressure off until you get something else set up.

 

[Dom]

Please DO NOT buy a Red Sea tank.

 

[RobertK]

Please DO NOT buy a Red Sea tank.

I won't! What brand should I get?

 

[UncommonSense]

I won't! What brand should I get?

If if was in the market to have another quarter-century plus out of my next tank; the first person I would speak to is @Joe Glass Cages !

Every time I’ve seen him quote out materials for a build, he’s gone thicker than required all around! — thicker walls/seams = a more robust tank!

 

[oliver1812]

Ask that question to 10 reefers and you will probably get 10 different answers.

For my vote I prefer and really like my Innovative Marine Tanks. They are solidly built, comes with an all aluminum stand (no more particle board for you) and if you get the full system will come with a sump that I really love.

My 2cents.!!

 

[RobertK]

Thanks guys. Thats a good starting point. Yeah I know its a separate topic and maybe a can of worms but since Dom brought up the Red Sea tanks I thought I'd ask.

 

[BasementBox]

Particle board and water should never been in the same room let alone on top of each other…. That said. Replace stand.

 

[RobertK]

Particle board and water should never been in the same room let alone on top of each other…. That said. Replace stand.

Yeah I was surprised they used particle board for such a critical part of the stand. I didn't know that until today. The rest of the stand is solid oak or oak plywood.

 

[BasementBox]

Yeah I was surprised they used particle board for such a critical part of the stand. I didn't know that until today. The rest of the stand is solid oak or oak plywood.

Plywood isn’t much better. While it holds, eventually it does disintegrate as well.

 

[mmorrison55]

I have a waterbox custom and an alufab stand, and really like it. Jess and the folks at waterbox are great to work with and stand behind their product. Only issue is that it took about 7 months to get the tank from the time I ordered it.

If I were ordering a custom tank today, I’d go with Joe @ glass cages. it’s a US product and his custom tanks get rave reviews and I think their turn around time is much faster. With tariffs, it may be the same price or not much higher than companies who build overseas. I would still go with alufab for the stand.

If I wanted it fast, and was going to go with one of the LFS tanks, I would look hard at UNS. Their tank setups are really slick. I’ve seen them in person at some LFS and was very impressed from top to bottom.

Good luck. Exciting times thinking about a new tank. Glad you are going to turn this into a positive.

 

[RobertK]

Thanks for that. I might reach out to Joe for help. And I think my LFS carries UNS tanks, will check them out too. My first priority is to protect my livestock and prevent a disaster, will focus on emptying the tank first. While I do feel some time pressure to get a new tank ASAP I want to make sure I make the right decision(s). I have not bought an aquarium in over 20 years (and back then I didn't know much) so I feel I have a lot of homework to do first.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I have a waterbox custom and an alufab stand, and really like it. Jess and the folks at waterbox are great to work with and stand behind their product. Only issue is that it took about 7 months to get the tank from the time I ordered it.

If I were ordering a custom tank today, I’d go with Joe @ glass cages. it’s a US product and his custom tanks get rave reviews and I think their turn around time is much faster. With tariffs, it may be the same price or not much higher than companies who build overseas. I would still go with alufab for the stand.

If I wanted it fast, and was going to go with one of the LFS tanks, I would look hard at UNS. Their tank setups are really slick. I’ve seen them in person at some LFS and was very impressed from top to bottom.

Good luck. Exciting times thinking about a new tank. Glad you are going to turn this into a positive.

I second the Waterbox recommendation! Their tanks are works of art!

 

[Dom]

I won't! What brand should I get?

It all depends on your price point. I picked up a $125 gallon Aqueon tank for $550. But that is a rimmed tank and many people in the hobby like rimless.

I'm in the hobby 20 years and have had tanks in some for all of my life. They've always been Aqueon, and I've never had a problem.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

It all depends on your price point. I picked up a $125 gallon Aqueon tank for $550. But that is a rimmed tank and many people in the hobby like rimless.

I'm in the hobby 20 years and have had tanks in some for all of my life. They've always been Aqueon, and I've never had a problem.

I loved the look of rimless and thought they were the cats meow until I now own one. I hate that I cannot clean my glass with going EXTREMELY slow, or splashing water out the top and all over the glass....so annoying! I don't know that I will ever own another rimless tank in the future!

 

[Sophie"s mom]

In my opinion, any solution that does not involve removing the tank from the stand makes me cringe.

You have to take the tank off to fully assess the damage. My concern is with as long as this has been going on, water may have wicked down the sides as well. I think its possible that you take this apart and find it is beyond repair.

Please be careful. I'd hate to hear you were working under that tank and it came down on you.

My sentiments exactly! I would not be able to relax with anything less than a complete replacement of that stand! And at THAT point, if money allows, I would just go for a bigger tank! But the stand needs to go.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

It all depends on your price point. I picked up a $125 gallon Aqueon tank for $550. But that is a rimmed tank and many people in the hobby like rimless.

I'm in the hobby 20 years and have had tanks in some for all of my life. They've always been Aqueon, and I've never had a problem.

WOW! Where did you get a 125 for that price? I paid $450. for my 90 gallon Aqueon, 2 years ago.