Would a 100gal stand made of MDF material be alright?

[rykwong]

I have a 100gal back home that I might use. However, it has a stand made of MDF. I know that it's not the best mater, but would it be alright? Or don't risk it? Thanks!

Rich

 

[Konadog]

Rich, if it were me, I wouldn't risk it. Get it wet once and your going to have problems from that day forward.

 

[yoyoyoo123]

what happens when MDF gets wet? I recently had an overflow of my external skimmer and got saltwater all up on the inside for at least a coupla hours. When I got back, I just toweled the saltwater out. ..... BTW I only have a 30 gallon.

 

[jbrown11352]

MDF seperates and loses its strength when it gets wet. I would never use MDF for a stand. Its not worth the risk IMO.

 

[Konadog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7099782#post7099782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yoyoyoo123
what happens when MDF gets wet?

It slowly starts to delaminate. Watch for swelling or it turning to powder.

 

[loserkidz]

If I had a stand made out of mdf I would definately try to add some extra support just incase the boards got wet and deteriated enough to give out on me. I had a friend whose 100g did exactly that, he had a hang-on skimmer which was causing salt creep on the back support behind the sump. Well in the middle of the night he heard a crack followed by gushing water. The back board collapsed causing the the stand the shift a little whcih since it was a glass tank it crack the rear panel. Needless to say he doesn't have a mdf stand anymore. We sometimes try t save money by buying or building a cheaper stand, even the most popular tank mfgs. use mdf to cut the bottom line eventhough they no it will eventually will give out. I am learning after many years in the hobby to do it right the first time because it will only cost more later if you try to retro-fit it. We dump literally thousands upon thousands of dollars into our livestock, but want to save a few dollars with the building of our stand which is thefoundation of our whole system. I sure am not taking a chance.