Concrete for tank stand top question

[FlatBrokeMedic]

So I am looking into pouring a concrete countertop for the surface that my 65 gallon tank will sit on, I may upgrade to a 120 in the future. It will have stucco reinforcement mesh in the center and it will be approximately 2 inches thick. I will have 2x4 supports every 12 to 18 inches under the countertop built into the stand. My question is will the concrete support the weight of the tank, I know some people use quarts countertops, I was going to use laminate but I'm afraid that it will break down over time due to moisture. Any input. Would be great.

Thanks,
Casey

 

[Sharpimage]

Put plywood over the 2x4 supports and below the concrete. Get pressure treated plywood or marine grade plywood. That will be fine.

Concrete by itself is brittle. Even with the mesh in the middle, I would not trust it.

 

[mcgyvr]

2" of properly reinforced and supported concrete is more than sufficient for an aquarium

 

[FlatBrokeMedic]

Put plywood over the 2x4 supports and below the concrete. Get pressure treated plywood or marine grade plywood. That will be fine.

Concrete by itself is brittle. Even with the mesh in the middle, I would not trust it.

I understand your idea of the plywood but I won't place any treated wood in my home because of what they treat the wood with. My plan is to laminate the inside of the stand with the plastic sheeting that is used in commercial food prep and bathrooms for walls, and then caulk the seams. It's about 20 dollars for a 4x8 sheet.

Unsupported concrete that is unreinforced, or not mixed or cured correctly can be weakened or compromised. I plan on supporting the "œcountertop" with 2x4's about every 12 to 18 inches on center.

Thanks for the input,
Casey

 

[FlatBrokeMedic]

2" of properly reinforced and supported concrete is more than sufficient for an aquarium

I figured it would be ok because they make countertops with concrete, I wasn't sure about the weight of a tank being on it.

I plan on dyeing it and then once it cures polishing it.

I will also put a heavy bead of silicone on the top frame of the stand to negate any point loading of the concrete slab.

Thanks for your reply
Casey

 

[sneeyatch]

I understand your idea of the plywood but I won't place any treated wood in my home because of what they treat the wood with.

Yep - Even worse is when I see folks DIY their stands and stuff with treated lumber... Salt spray and drips, splashes happen and when it drips off treated lumber into a sump or whatever, it causes MAJOR issues with a tank.

There was a LFS that I used to frequent, but is long shut down now - they built their entire coral system with a common sump - all with treated lumber, because, you know - it just makes sense. Well, the way it was plumbed, there were some leaks and drips back into the common sump, and they lost so many corals and couldn't figure out why - I told them many times - the water is dripping onto the treated lumber and into the sump - you have major chemical contaminants - they didn't listen for months - then one day, they wrapped all the treated lumber in that area with those blue waterproof tarps and lo and behold, their corals stopped dying...

Folks should just use regular old lumber and paint it -

 

[FlatBrokeMedic]

If I had to choose I would use cedar or a naturally rot resistant wood over treated any day.

 

[Sharpimage]

The moisture in concrete will cause the untreated wood to mold. Faster than you would think. concrete countertops, the don't put 700 pounds in one spot. That would be my comcern.

 

[Tastee]

Compressed concrete sheeting?


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[FlatBrokeMedic]

concrete countertops, the don't put 700 pounds in one spot. That would be my comcern.

My thought is people put tanks on quartz and granite counter tops that are half the thickness and unreinforced, plus as stated before there would be a brace under the slab at about every foot. As for the moisture I was going to put a barrier between the wood and concrete, as well as the concrete would be sealed.

Thanks for the input
Casey

 

[FlatBrokeMedic]

Compressed concrete sheeting?


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No a poured 2 inch thick slab, like a concrete counter top

 

[Tastee]

No a poured 2 inch thick slab, like a concrete counter top

Sorry I wasn't clear, I was suggesting you use compressed cement sheeting instead of a poured slab. Much better shear strength.


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