Question about integrity of cabinet

[thepudge]

Hi all, I just purchased a used 63 gallon room divider tank and cabinet that had been used for a couple of years. The cabinet has a solid base of wood, with 3 solid wood supports (two on the back and one in front). I believe the rest of the stand is plywood.

I just filled the tank with water and I've noticed that the plywood on the bottom of the back of the stand (not the base, but where the vertical boards attach to the base) has split outward a bit, so it slopes out about 1/4 inch at the very bottom. The solid supports are not doing this. The stand otherwise seems stable and is level, and it does not look to be getting worse.

How concerned should I be about this? Due to the type of tank, it will not be easy or inexpensive to get a replacement stand. If it is a problem, can I add support to the existing stand?

Thanks!

 

[musky1963]

Plywood is mostly made overseas now(especially Lowes or HD type stores) and are known for the ply's to seperate. Change in humidity, got wet or whatever can de-laminate. Not sure how your stand is built, but you would not hurt anything by gluing some supprt inside. Just be sure to use a water-resistant glue like Titebond 2 or 3. The glue is actually stronger than the wood. I have been thinking of building custom stands, but haven't followed thru as of yet.

 

[thepudge]

Thanks for the advice, what kind of support would you suggest?