the lowes 40br stand. any one using it?

I haven't use one (or seen anyone using one). If you are going to use one, I'd suggesting adding cross-bracing 3 sides or skinning it with plywood (3 sides) attached to the vertical members to prevent racking.

Matt
 
Per the specs, each shelf can hold a 1,000 lbs. I wouldn't be worried about the weight. The hardware used to assemble it is a different story. Either coat the hardware or replace with stainless steel. Also, I would replace the particle board with painted plywood.
 
My vote would be "no". The issue is that the attachment points for the horizontal members isn't a positive, tightened connection as it would be if the fasteners were bolts and nuts. So if someone were to lean against the tank/stand, I'd think it would move. OK if the shelf's just holding magazines, perhaps not so good if it's holding a tank.
 
I used that same stand for a year and a half with no issues whatsoever.

Not sure why people think this will come apart. Use a little physics knowledge and imagine over 500lbs of force going straight down. Those shelves arent going to move at all. Mine didnt. I had no trouble with them and would use again in a heartbeat if I ever setup my 40B a 2nd time.

Make sure your floor is level, just like with every other stand. I used rustoleum paint to change the color to something the wife liked and protect the metal.
 
yeah i was thinking rustoleum would be needed for sure.
wonder if I tap and drilled for a small nut and bolt system it would help.

yeah defiantly would use plywood for the shelfs.

but the concern i do have is that i am not using a 40b for the sump just the DT. so it could get a lil top heavy maybe?

just an idea a this point... looking in to other metal stands ideas too
...
 
buying that and painting it sounds like more money and just as much time as a DIY 2x4 stand. i'd be much more comfortable with a lumber stand.
 
true but lowes is 100 miles away. I can have made 2 wood stands in the past. have to rent or borrow tools to do it. just wondering if any one doing this in the SW world.
 
I'm using this stand right now, no issues. Ive got a 40g br on the top shelf, a 29g sump on the bottom. I'd take the time to put some water-resistant coating on the metal frame, you'll inevitably get it wet when youre working on the tank.
 
Had this built for 20 longs-standards and 40 breeders:

qt_tank_ready.jpg


It's pretty beefy, and I'm still a bit worried.

So I vote NO
 
I have that same exact shelf made by Edsal from Lowes. Here are my thoughts:

PROS:
1) The metal stand itself is pretty. I would have no problem with the shelf holding up a 40 breeder. The wood board is crap though (see cons)

2) It's fairly easy to put together. The toughest part for me is assembling the top half of the shelving units to the bottom via an "L" shape pressure fit connector. Once the top and bottom are connected, it's a sum b!7ch to pull apart.

3) The metal side posts don't have those ugly holes to adjust the shelf height. It's hidden, which is great.

4) The finish is powder coated which is fairly rust resistant and durable. I have two 10 gallon freshwater tanks on the third shelf, and a 10 gallon nano SW on the fourth shelf for more than 2 years and have not noticed any rust.

CONS

1) The wood shelving it comes with is pure crap. It'll start bowing within a week. Don't even plan on using the wood shelves it came with. Do yourself a favor and cut down some 5/8" plywood to the exact same size. Wrap with contact paper or varnish it. You shouldn't have any problems with wood warping/bowing after that.

2) The feet on the 4 posts are nothing but the metal edges. So if you have hardwood floors, it'll scratch it up.

All in all a good value. If you're planning on putting a 40B on it, I wouldn't go above the third shelf.

I have a friend who's purchased several of these for his freshwater shrimping business and holds 40B all day long. It'll hold up the weight, so long as you swap it out with some decent plywood.
 
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