desk i want to get, any ideas?

[supernareg]

so i saw this desk for a good price and i am wanting to go pick it up tomorrow. my idea for the tank will be to get it custom made (glass) to fit into the back, flush with the sides that come out (width wise) and as tall as the lowest part.
the tank will be plumbed down into a big sump (30-40gal)

my question is how should i do the lighting?

i was thinking, because you make this urself, its a kit desk, to cut the right shelves in half and make room for the lights. i think thats the best option

any flaws in the plan for the tank?

 

[SteveOhh]

I wouldn't trust the weight of an aquarium on a melamine desk held together w/ dowels & screws. Even a 10 gallon aquarium is gonna weigh in excess of 100lbs when you account for sand, rock & water weight. Better off to get a small stand & put it along side the desk.

Steve

 

[Fmellish]

I agree. I've owned plenty of desks like that and ultimately they all come apart very easy with a nice kick to the side.

I'd get a dedicated stand if you can.

 

[ReefMeister2]

I have a 46 bowfront on the desk in my office (freshwater/first tank). I reinforced the rear portion of the desk with 4x4 posts and a header...all mounted within the interior structure of the desk. Pretty tricky considering this was a filing-cabinet desk (dual drawers) that had to still be functional. I also had to modify the upper lip section of the desk (area immediately above the tank) by mounting it on a hinge so it could swing back and allow opening of the glass lid for feedings/cleaning/etc. The tank had to be a bowfront for this reason...a standard rectangle tank would not have allowed access, as you can see. The rest of the desk set is a U-shape/wrap-around but not all could be shown in the picture

Me likes a good challenge!

This picture was taken about 5 years ago when I was still a newby.