The Puffer Forum

I have a 14 gallon biocube and I was wondering if it would be safe to put on a night stand or possibly even dresser. I know when it is filled with everything it will weigh around 160# (give or take) so can a night stand or dresser hold that weight?

Each individual dresser and night stand will have different max weight loads. Anything of pressed wood will warp if it gets wet.

I would say if it was pre-assembled when you bought it, it will probably be fine. If it was put together at home out of a box I would be hesitant unless it feels really solid.


Good luck

We have a 2.5g on the top of a one of those "half" book shelf that come out of a box made with cheap pressed plywood and I barley trust that tank. If your nightstand is from the 80's and is actually made of solid wood then I'd trust it but if it's not then it's a huge gamble.

I know its Amish made so thats probably good quality and trusted right?

You'd hope so, right?!

You could test it out by finding something of equivalent (or greater) weight as the tank and set it on the nightstand for a few days. Be sure to occasionally bump the nightstand to mimic real-life conditions and see how the stand takes it...

Unless you're not super concerned, you can put like a water proof table cloth or something to that effect so the water drops don't damage the finish.

Why not just buy or build a suitable stand?

I cannot understand taking risks with long-term water holding containers. What is the point of that?

RTR wrote:Why not just buy or build a suitable stand?

I cannot understand taking risks with long-term water holding containers. What is the point of that?

Some people can't afford to buy or build a stand (or containers as RTR stated). I had a 10 gallon on my dresser (long type with big mirror) with not problem. Sit on the dresser (if you're a full grown adult) and see if it holds you. If it does, you shouldnt have a problem (this coming from a 215 lb guy lol). If it breaks and you crash to the floor.. you have your answer as well.

Not being especially argumentative, but there is a huge difference between a short-term (dynamic or live) load and a long-term uninterrupted (static or dead) load. A person sitting on a table or other piece of furniture is a dynamic load, a fish tank positioned for months to years is a static load. Something which withstands the former may fail over time under the latter stresses.

I am quite hard-headed I freely admit, but that is based in part on lots of long-term experience. I have learned - sometimes thee hard way - that if you cannot do it right initially, it is better to wait until you can, or do not do it at all.

Sometimes it's a space restriction.

RTR wrote:Not being especially argumentative, but there is a huge difference between a short-term (dynamic or live) load and a long-term uninterrupted (static or dead) load. A person sitting on a table or other piece of furniture is a dynamic load, a fish tank positioned for months to years is a static load. Something which withstands the former may fail over time under the latter stresses.

I am quite hard-headed I freely admit, but that is based in part on lots of long-term experience. I have learned - sometimes thee hard way - that if you cannot do it right initially, it is better to wait until you can, or do not do it at all.

I wasn't trying to argue either, but fact is, by the OP asking if it is suitable, he is doing it the right way. Now, regardless of the stand (be it a table, cinder blocks with plywood or an amazingly built stand), it has nothing to do with doing it the right way. If it holds the tank and your fish get the proper care (ie... feeding, water changes, etc.) you are doing it the right way.

Take a look at the coners of the dresser. If they're 2 x 4 or more, you're good to go. Open the drawer and have a look at how it's built. That's probably the best way to figure it out.

This is what my nightstand looks like. I pushed down on it hard and heard nothing. I sat on it (I weigh around 160) and it seemed fine. But here it is http://img823.imageshack.us/g/dscn0792r.jpg/

^
Three of my stands are made of laminated particle board and I would say that your nightstand is made far better than they are.

As long as a four sides of the tank completely sit on the top I would have no reservation about using that stand for a 14g tank. If the nightstand sits on carpet I would pull it away from the wall at least 3" to clear any tack-strip under the carpet.

Good luck

The nightstand already is about 3 inches away from the wall but just to be safe I will move it a little more So you are saying I should have no trouble putting a 14 gallon on it right