Help stand issues
 

Help my old tank cracked and the replacement is 14" stand is 12 my guess is the 2" will create to much pressure on the tank resulting in the back or bottom cracking.... Someone tell me I'm wrong and I don't need a new stand

I don't know for sure, but I for one would not put a 14" tank on a 12" stand.
I think it would be too much stress

I would not do it. It does not take to much to crack glass. All the strength is on the edge. If you dont care to much about looks you could put a peice of 1" plywood under the tank.

+1 add a nice slab of 3/4 - 1" Oak and trim it with a edge moulding and your good to go.

+2 on the slab.

there you go problem solved

Tyvm I'll go buy a piece tomorrow

If you want a cheaper slab, go with a chunk of 1" plywood, and paint it. :)

Agree cheaper... but Oak does look nicer and is denser.

I found particle boards absorb water quickly if you drip down the edges while cleaning or filling the tank. Just my two cents.

Please don't use plywood!!!! If you are putting a tank on a stand that is 2" smaller and if the plywood get wet ANYWHERE it will swell causing a pressure point. There is nothing out there that can completely seal the edges of plywood. Go with Oak, get an Oak edge moulding glue a brad nail it on and then 2 coats of a color stain with a clear coat and you are done. That is how I did my stand top and there has been lots of water sitting on it, it just wipes right off.

It might cost you a little more but you will not regret it.

What if I took 2 2x4 and braced the back ?? It will be screwing or nailing into the Stand support boards mabey a 3rd piece between the 2x4s under the tank

2x4's are only actually 1.5", so you'd need a bit more of a buildup in there, but you could build a quick frame in the back and attach it to you stand. as long as it's nice and flush at the top it should work fine. if you build it like a door header you will have lots of support and should only cost $20 tops. I assume your tank is 48" long?

It's 24 a 20g

Remeasured it and it's just under 1.5" so 2x4 should work and when building a header is the support 2x4 between the top and bottom boards or they from the floor to the tank

With a header you have 2 2x4's on edge, and fasten them to uprights that are floor to tank. Here's a pic of what i mean: You wouldn't need the cripple or top plate, just the header, jack studs and king studs.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...byceojjOCbZIuF


If you only are going to go one wide set it up like this, except with a bottom plate and another support in the center if you can fit it:
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...5OVkFqHHpb3gNT