What do you guys think?

Hey I am currently in the process of trying to establish a bigger fish tank! I have a 30l but really want to upgrade this to a 150l. Now my biggest problem is where to locate it... I have made a diagram in paint (don't laugh) to try and help with my explanation. Basically, I have a solid pine bookshelf which is roughly 1.1m high, about 60cm side to side and 30cm deep. On the very top shelf I currently have a 30l fish tank which has been there for a number of months now with no problems whatsoever. This shelf is held in place with 6 screws on the sides and also 3 in the back. The bookshelf itself is completely solid, I can't twist or wobble it at all and it currently has lots of textbooks and lever arch files on the shelves.

What I would like to know is, would it be feasible to try and modify the top a little to place a 150l aquarium on it? I understand that this is a lot heavier than a 30l one, however, considering how well built this cabinet is, I think it may just work. I know for a fact that I can stand with my two feet on either one of the fully vertical upright sides (albeit slightly crouched lol) and it can support my full weight perfectly (105kgs). This was done with the 30l fish tank on the shelf already btw!

For the tank, what I thought I could do is place 3 planks of hard wood across the top shelf on their sides, and then rest one very large rectangular slab of wood on top of this, the size of the new fish tank (75cm x 40cm) and about 4cm thick. I will then put either some Styrofoam or some protective layer and then the tank on top of that. My reasoning for this being a decent solution, is that a big portion of the weight of the tank will be supported by the vertical support sides of the cabinet itself which are clearly very strong (about 4cm thick solid pine). The rest of the weight will then be evenly distributed across the top shelf of the cabinet. This is the part that worries me, do you think it would be necessary to try and reinforce this shelf somehow and what do you suggest I could do?

Anyway, would be really great to hear some suggestions, the other option of course would be to get a proper fish tank stand, however, I would prefer to use this bookshelf (cheaper option ) as I don't really have much more space in this room and the bookshelf is necessary for all the books and files which can't really go anywhere else...

Thanks!

 

Should work - see if you can counter sink screws into the edge of the current shelf sides and the 4cm (maybe to thick?) 25mm new top. Use some wood clue to glue it all together "The rest of the weight will then be evenly distributed across the top shelf of the cabinet." making every thing flush and fitting the top on these would be more than adequate. You could even screw these slats to the self side to give it more stability. 10mm Styrofoam will do the trick between tank and wood - then the tank might already have some styrofoam then it should be ok. Be sure seal the new wood.

Only problem I see we have no before pics ;-) take and post pics ..

 

maybe build a base as well? ie, make the bottom exactly like the top? i think it'll be more stable.

 

Hey thanks for the replies! I have had a rethink about the whole thing and I have come up with 2 different scenarios. Both of them will however entail me shuffling the room around as there is also a desk located next to the bookshelf which will have to be moved.

1) Modify the bookshelf by taking off the entire bottom shelf (ie. about 35cm off the height of the cabinet, from the base) to make it shorter and thus more sturdy. And from there I will continue with the original modification plan for the top of the cabinet. This is probably the easiest and cheapest option, however, I do not own the bookshelf and so will need to get permission to do this! (The joys of having parents...)

2) Sell the current bookshelf (also with permission but this might be easier to get than a modification of the scale I am thinking lol) and move the desk around as planned, and in it's place either find a nice solid second hand bookshelf which is shorter but a bit longer which I can then modify as planned or build my own bookshelf/tank stand unit from the ground up. Depending on what I can find second hand for a decent price, it might be the cheaper and safer option to build one myself as I will then know exactly how it has been put together and can ensure it'll be able to hold the weight etc.

So that's the current state of affairs! I am about to start writing exams now so I am now placing all my thoughts about this on hold for the next 2 weeks or so but I have all the ideas sorted out in my head and will definitely make this work. When I get the chance I will definitely upload photos and then I will keep a running progress going so you can see what I decide to do and how I go about doing it if you like

D

Edit: @f-fish I will definitely use a styrofoam layer and depending on what I decide to do, will treat the wood too. The other thing, is that I am planning to build myself a hood for the tank too from wood, which is another reason I am not convinced about using the bookself in its current state anymore as it's all going to add extra weight. But that is a separate project which I'll only get going once I've sorted this out.

 

I suggest you get yourself a stand made from 25x25mm square tubing, that fit over the bookshelf, and is stronger and purpose built for the tank. This way, you don't touch the bookshelf and also use less space. You can even make the stand, to go past the tank's sides with another shelf above the tank and later wrap the shelf with wood, to make it look like a cabinet!