Dog Crate / Tank Stand??

sneeyatch · 06/22/2018, 01:13 PM

Has Anyone ever done something like this as a tank stand?

Little back story - I was in the process of setting up a sumpless / AIO type 40 breeder in my office - the stand was going to be an old dresser. Drawers are going to be used for work stuff, papers, pens, whatever. The tank fit perfectly on top of this dresser and I was moving ahead.

Well - back in March we decided to get a puppy (Boxer / Lab mix) and now, her cage / crate is in the spot where i was going to set up the tank. My wife wants me to finish off the cage similar to the attached and I was wondering if I could use that as the tank stand?? It's only a 40 breeder and I think it wold work, just thought i would throw this out there and see what you all think.

I bet I can sell this idea to my wife and be able to get back in the hobby finally

mcgyvr · 06/22/2018, 05:24 PM

Yes if properly constructed to ensure proper strength you can most certainly do a stand like that..
"racking" is the biggest issue with something like that where it just folds should someone bump/push it sideways so just make sure the legs are securely attached to the upper part and it wouldn't hurt to do some angled "gussets" to give it even more strength against racking/folding..

BigDave · 06/23/2018, 06:11 AM

I'd make sure the crate isn't connected to the stand. I could see the dog scratching and it's paw thumping the ground as being similar to someone tapping the glass on the tank.

sde1500 · 06/23/2018, 07:58 AM

I don’t worry about my big dog bumping my tank around because she’s rather gentle. But when she moves around in her crate she makes a big racket and shakes the whole thing. Definitely wouldn’t want my fish tank on top of it. If I had to I’d have the whole wood trim floating a good couple inches from the actual crate to try and prevent that. I’d rather find a different spot for the crate or tank.

slief · 06/23/2018, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sde1500

I don’t worry about my big dog bumping my tank around because she’s rather gentle. But when she moves around in her crate she makes a big racket and shakes the whole thing. Definitely wouldn’t want my fish tank on top of it. If I had to I’d have the whole wood trim floating a good couple inches from the actual crate to try and prevent that. I’d rather find a different spot for the crate or tank.

+1. We have Great Danes and our youngest is still crated at night or when we aren’t home. When he moves, the crates shakes and that would be stressful on fish not to mention the stand. If the crate is built properly with 2x4 framing as well as a good plywood top, structurely speaking it should be safe but I’d more more concerned about the movement and vibrations/shaking caused by the dog. When the dog goes to scratch itself, all that movement will translate into vibrations or shaking in the tank. It just doesn’t seem like a combination that would be conducive to a stress free environment for the tanks inhabitants.

sneeyatch · 06/25/2018, 05:44 AM

gotcha - thanks for the input guys, i didn't really think about her scratching and shaking the cage around, but i agree - i'm not too sure this is going to work out properly.

Lsufan · 06/28/2018, 08:01 PM

U can do somthing similar & not attach it to the crate. I think I would want to build it big enough to be able to slide the crate out anyway. So the stand would be a couple inches bigger then the crate & not actually be touching it. Then the only vibration would be transferred through the floor & placing a Matt under the crate should help with that.

maddmaxx · 06/28/2018, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsufan

u can do somthing similar & not attach it to the crate. I think i would want to build it big enough to be able to slide the crate out anyway. So the stand would be a couple inches bigger then the crate & not actually be touching it. Then the only vibration would be transferred through the floor & placing a matt under the crate should help with that.

+1

06/22/2018, 05:24 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Yes if properly constructed to ensure proper strength you can most certainly do a stand like that.. "racking" is the biggest issue with something like that where it just folds should someone bump/push it sideways so just make sure the legs are securely attached to the upper part and it wouldn't hurt to do some angled "gussets" to give it even more strength against racking/folding.. __________________ Who me?

06/23/2018, 07:58 AM	#4
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	I don’t worry about my big dog bumping my tank around because she’s rather gentle. But when she moves around in her crate she makes a big racket and shakes the whole thing. Definitely wouldn’t want my fish tank on top of it. If I had to I’d have the whole wood trim floating a good couple inches from the actual crate to try and prevent that. I’d rather find a different spot for the crate or tank. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

06/25/2018, 05:44 AM	#6
sneeyatch Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 1,312	gotcha - thanks for the input guys, i didn't really think about her scratching and shaking the cage around, but i agree - i'm not too sure this is going to work out properly. __________________ - Todd It's often the saddest of us working our hardest to make everyone laugh Current Tank Info: Tankless

06/23/2018, 06:11 AM	#3
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	I'd make sure the crate isn't connected to the stand. I could see the dog scratching and it's paw thumping the ground as being similar to someone tapping the glass on the tank.

06/28/2018, 08:01 PM	#7
Lsufan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 1,410	U can do somthing similar & not attach it to the crate. I think I would want to build it big enough to be able to slide the crate out anyway. So the stand would be a couple inches bigger then the crate & not actually be touching it. Then the only vibration would be transferred through the floor & placing a Matt under the crate should help with that.