Stand build after tank has water

[tirish]

I just recently purchased an aquatop eco 40 tank. It came with the stock stand. It’s a bit wobbly and honestly doesn’t look great. I am planning on building a nicer furniture grade stand that goes with our living room. I want to get the cycle going a was curious if I can get the tank going on the current stock stand, build a new stand , drain some of the water out so I can move it onto the new stand. My plan would be to move some water into 5 gallon buckets to make it lighter, move the tank and put water back.

 

[dloberry]

That is an option, not the one I would choose, but an option. You might save yourself some major headaches by building the stand firat

 

[ILOVEYOUHALFISH]

I have an aquatop 24G and the stock stand sucks, I ended up using it for Aquariam storage… and ended up putting the tank on a dresser lol

That stand gave me anxiety

 

[EricR]

I'd lean towards getting the rock cycling in separate bin <-- kinda feel like you'd end up pulling it out to move the tank in the end anyway.

You could leak test your tank now but it'll be easier to setup on the new stand with nothing in it.

 

[mfinn]

I would build the stand first.
If you need to cycle rock, do it is another container and setup everything when the stand is finished.

 

[Uncle99]

I just recently purchased an aquatop eco 40 tank. It came with the stock stand. It’s a bit wobbly and honestly doesn’t look great. I am planning on building a nicer furniture grade stand that goes with our living room. I want to get the cycle going a was curious if I can get the tank going on the current stock stand, build a new stand , drain some of the water out so I can move it onto the new stand. My plan would be to move some water into 5 gallon buckets to make it lighter, move the tank and put water back.

Yup, no problem.
That’s not a big big tank.
Just finished moving a 50g to it new home, but, removed 80% of the water.

 

[TheReefAbides]

Could potentially move if you have glass cups. Although your water is roughly 8.5 lbs per gallon plus tank weight. I wouldn’t want to stress the seams moving with water weight in it. Just my opinion. The suggested option of cycling roc in a bin seems like safest/best case scenario

 

[tmcca]

I would be nervous about stand crashing it would be a total mess. Tanks have to be level

 

[Freenow54]

I just recently purchased an aquatop eco 40 tank. It came with the stock stand. It’s a bit wobbly and honestly doesn’t look great. I am planning on building a nicer furniture grade stand that goes with our living room. I want to get the cycle going a was curious if I can get the tank going on the current stock stand, build a new stand , drain some of the water out so I can move it onto the new stand. My plan would be to move some water into 5 gallon buckets to make it lighter, move the tank and put water back.

I have done that . You have to be ultra carefull of sheer pressure ie waves from water . The new stand should be at the same level ideally. Just don't put anything live in it take the rock completely out then move it . Or the best cycle the rock in different containers cool your jets and get the stand built

 

[sergifed91]

I have almost the same situation. I'm putting in new flooring and built the new stand myself. I'm moving everything over to a 75 gallon temporary. Then once the new flooring is in moving everything to mew stand and the 159 tank

 

[Freenow54]

I have done that . You have to be ultra carefull of sheer pressure ie waves from water . The new stand should be at the same level ideally. Just don't put anything live in it take the rock completely out then move it . Or the best cycle the rock in different containers cool your jets and get the stand built

Don't forget even when you build the new stand you have to move the old stand with the tank on it out of the way . Place the new stand then put the tank on it . Or move the Tank twice using another table . Lots of reasons to do it different

 

[sergifed91]

Don't forget even when you build the new stand you have to move the old stand with the tank on it out of the way . Place the new stand then put the tank on it . Or move the Tank twice using another table . Lots of reasons to do it different

Actually. I'm removing the tank then tossing out the old stand.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Build Stand > Fill Tank > Enjoy.

Learn to be patient or deal with constant issues

 

[PJfish]

Did you use a level to make sure its level in both directions? If so and still wobbling I wouldn’t trust the stand . Without spects of stand hard to comment if under engineered but another member commented on their poor build quality.
If your starting with dry rocks cure them first in a covered separate bin which will take months anyway. If your starting with wet live rock nothing wrong with storing those in a bin or tub also until you get a stand. Just tossing that out their since you never mentioned rocks or sand unless just a bare bottom fowler.. New tanks are fun enjoy!!

 

[Dom]

Do it once and do it right. Build your stand, and then place the tank.

 

[Grog]

You can do it with a 40 but it is not optimal. Even draining 80% of the water out and moving is a pain and quite sketchy.

I second the above and say to take the time and do it right and build/buy the correct stand. It is like the foundation of a house. Do that part right.

If you need/want to keep some stuff alive in the interim, then a few totes with a powerhead can work. I kept 200# of live sand and 200# of live rock going in Rubbermaid totes for months while I resealed my tank and built a new stand. I'm talking live rock and sand here, not corals.