Red Sea 130D stand

[thebeast1190]

First let me say I have had my RSM 130D up since December 2008. I had been a member of another forum but I was I was sick so I guess because my account was inactive for 6 months they deleted my account.So I decided to find another forum and this looks like the place for me.

So anyway on to my problem. I am 100% now (have been for a few weeks) but I just noticed the bottom right side of the stand looks to be warped. I guess while my family was talking care of it some water spilled down the side and they never cleaned it. My question is does this affect the integrity of the stand? As you can see the inside does not look to be at all affected.

 

[moondoggy4]

Get a ice pick and stick it on the inside of the wood near the trouble area to see if it is soft also check with the ice pick in another area that is not affected by the water damage. I would also put a small fan in there to blow on the wood to dry it out.

 

[vaporized]

I would just buy a new stand, because it will always look like crap now. They are only $160 shipped, but on backorder until April 14th.

 

[thebeast1190]

It is somewhat soft but not....... I guess squishy. It could have been like this for months because the wood is not wet. The inside is as solid as the rest of the stand so it is only that out side part. It is up next to a wall (guess that's why they did not notice it) so I am not concerned with how it looks. Just want to make sure I wont come home to 35g and thousands of dollars on the floor.

 

[moondoggy4]

I would put the fan on it to dry the outside. I believe that your stand is made of MDF which is compressed sawdust with paper on each side, most furniture is made of this but they use a veneer of wood.

 

[thebeast1190]

I just put the fan on it. How long should I leave it there?
Also if any one can tell me if they have seen this happen before because I really want to make sure its not in danger of falling apart.
Thanks

 

[moondoggy4]

My friend has a 54 gallon corner tank and the wood was soft, spongy he let it dry out and it hardened up. Can you post another picture it looks like the area is about 5'' how far is it from a edge? I would let the fan run until it is not soft anymore. All the weight of the tank pushes down evenly problems are when the stand can twist or buckle. Is the stand open in the back?

 

[moondoggy4]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1567110&goto=newpost here's another source of info.

 

[thebeast1190]

My friend has a 54 gallon corner tank and the wood was soft, spongy he let it dry out and it hardened up. Can you post another picture it looks like the area is about 5'' how far is it from a edge? I would let the fan run until it is not soft anymore. All the weight of the tank pushes down evenly problems are when the stand can twist or buckle. Is the stand open in the back?

Its about 9'' long. About 6" from the back corner 3" from the front. I don't know how deep it goes but as I said the inside of the same area seems solid and everything right above it is solid as is the base it sits on. The back is closed with the same type of panel. Just has a hole for tubes and stuff.

 

[moondoggy4]

You could build a interior frame, a piece of wood like a 1X2 on the bottom and then the same size on top, then put two stringers going from the bottom to the top one on each side, this would carry the weight. I would either use Douglas Fir they sell this type at Home depot or I would use oak but I would not use pine.
Once that is done you could scratch out the rot and put in Epoxy they sell it at HD also better than Bondo bondo does not move with the wood because of moisture, Epoxy can be sanded painted and even nailed through. The epoxy can be molded into place.

 

[thebeast1190]

You could build a interior frame, a piece of wood like a 1X2 on the bottom and then the same size on top, then put two stringers going from the bottom to the top one on each side, this would carry the weight. I would either use Douglas Fir they sell this type at Home depot or I would use oak but I would not use pine.
Once that is done you could scratch out the rot and put in Epoxy they sell it at HD also better than Bondo bondo does not move with the wood because of moisture, Epoxy can be sanded painted and even nailed through. The epoxy can be molded into place.

I dont know if I am handy enough to do that but what you said gave me an idea. I have a telescopic support brace that was my dads in one of my storage units. I think I am going to (try to) get it out and use that. I think it holds something like 5000 lbs so it should be fine. Would that work?

 

[moondoggy4]

Will you would shift the down force to one point instead of the corners.
I would measure the inside width and have the wood cut at the Lumber store, you will need 2 equal lenths.
Then measure the height and substarct the width measurement by the measurement of the two pieces this will build your frame.
You don.t have to fix the rot at this point.

 

[thebeast1190]

Thanks for all your help.
I will be going to home depot tomorrow for what i need.
Do I nail/screw the pieces in to the inside of the stand?

 

[moondoggy4]

I would just glue them, it should be a little tight but not anymore than that.