Where should the fish tank be placed?

First of all, we must consider what the tank is to stand on. Water is quite heavy-8.3 pounds per U.S. gallon. Thus a 15-gallon tank weighs about 125 pounds. This is certainly no weight for a delicate end table to support. The base for a tank must be a sturdy one - flat and level. Any projections, tilt, or unsteadiness may cause leakage. The location should be a fairly permanent one. Tanks cannot be moved readily. Also, the height must be considered. It should be high enough to be seen standing up and low enough to be viewed comfortably while sitting down. An ideal height for a stand is 30″ to 36″.

Stands expressly designed for supporting aquaria are available. Most of these are equipped with a shelf which can be used for an auxiliary tank or for equipment. The artistically inclined often put plants on the shelf and train ivy up the legs to afford an exotic touch. These stands have a flat top, open in the center, with just a rim around the edge to support the tank. The center is left open so that water, which may accidentally drip, will not run under and accumulate below the tank. The outside rim which supports the tank only along the four edges is perfectly satisfactory.

When the stand rests on a rug or linoleum, furniture coasters should be used to prevent damage. Some buyers are surprised to see that there is no lip around a stand to prevent sliding. Because of a tank’s construction, all of the weight and pressure are directed straight down, and it would require a very heavy shove to dislodge a tank. In fact, a shove heavy enough to move a full tank is more likely to break the tank before moving it. The moral of the story is: don’t shove a full tank.

Think twice before putting a tank on an expensive piece of highly polished furniture. Working around an aquarium, water is often spilled, and tank water is injurious to polished surfaces unless it is wiped up immediately. Surfaces which heat up, such as television cabinets, may cause the cement to soften. Several layers of asbestos under the tank will prevent this. A table-top stand has recently become available. This is approximately 4″ high and is designed for holding tanks on furniture.

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