Opinions needed: ikea sideboard as stand for 20g long?

chx_101 · #1 02-04-2014, 05:23 AM

Hi everyone, would really wanna use this piece of furniture that I already have as the stand for a 20g long nano reef that I'm planning to start...

Would you guys say it's too risky to use ikea furniture as a stand?
The sideboard measures around 60" wide, and the tank will be 30" wide...I'm worried about the weight but I have seen others use ikea as their stand..so I'm not sure.

What do you guys think?

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Chase31 · #2 02-04-2014, 05:58 AM

I think if you reinforce it you could be okay but I wouldn't go for it without some reinforcement

mark · #3 02-04-2014, 06:01 AM

factory stand that came with my old 75g was just paper covered MDF and never warped or fell over.

20g not that heavy but if still worried could always brace from inside.

Slyguy00 · #4 02-04-2014, 06:02 AM

My girlfriend has had her 25 gallon on an ikea stand forever. Its fine, just doesn't stand up to salt water to well. That press board likes to swell.

Chase31 · #5 02-04-2014, 06:06 AM

Oh I didn't realise this was just 20g that would be fine just maybe try t seal it?

Slyguy00 · #6 02-04-2014, 06:09 AM

Yea sealing could help, but not sure how clean it would look. The stock sealing last for awhile but over time the salt finds it way in and from there only gets worse. But if your careful and don't get a lot of water all over it I'm sure it would be ok.

chx_101 · #7 02-04-2014, 04:57 PM

Wow thanks guys. it gives me comfort to know that it's okay.

Yeah the other concern is the water. I am planning to get a glass cover for the tank so no water splash out regularly. and then to maybe spray a clear coast of water resistant/repellant stuff on the top....

do you guys thank that's enough?

chx_101 · #8 02-04-2014, 05:04 PM

or I may get two glass shelves from Ikea to go on top of the sideboard...

(http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/pr...746/#/80208746)

which option do you guys think is the best?

Mahawka · #9 03-07-2014, 08:11 PM

Just my 2cents. I don't trust Ikea tables at all. Most of their stuff is made of particle board with a layer of laminate on top. Initially i was going to use an Ikea table for my 30 gallon. But after reading the specs on all their tables It was too risky for my liking.

If you go to the store and look at their product tags or go on-line and read the product Specs you will quickly see that they are not made for anything heavy. I would rather be safe then have a 20 gallon tank break on the floor.

With the specific table you linked I would highly suggest not to use it for a 20 gallon long. Firstly, by the looks of it there are no support beams in the centre. Meaning that it's only held up by the sides. and Secondly, if that table is made from particle board the small legs might cause issue at the bottom.

For example (in the link below) something like this looks really study. But once again it's made of particle board. The product specs it's rated only a max weight of 15kg or 33lbs. And trust me your 20 gallon is will be 150lbs +

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/40207169/

neoh · #10 03-09-2014, 12:55 AM

remember, 10 gallons of water is 100lbs. Not including the tank, rock, sand, etc.

With those peg legs, I would be hesitant, but as long as it's dead center so the legs take up equal amount of weight, I wouldn't see it as an issue.

I have a 77g on a Ikea dresser that I converted into half storage/half sump area. I reenforced it, and it works well, but it always concerns me. Anytime I hear a crack or a creek, I dart up and check.

It doesn't help that I have a pistol shrimp in the tank..