Got a Free Stand, What to Put on It

jonclark96

Past CCA President
I came home from work today to find a like-new aquarium stand that my wife got from one of her friends who didn't have room for it anymore (gotta love a wife like that). The stand is a really nice black furniture grade stand that this 61" by 19" with a solid top (it almost looks like an entertainment center). Doing some quick checking around, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of 5 footers available. So, now I find myself with the enviable problem of deciding what to put on the stand. Here are the options that I see right now:

Either a 75 or a 90 and just leave the rest of the top of the stand open
Side by side 29's
Stack 5 20 highs with the short end facing out
A 29 and 2 20 highs with short end facing out

Any other thoughts?
 

jonclark96

Past CCA President
I keep all new worlds, and mostly medium sized types. I'm thinking breeding pairs in whatever size tank(s) I end up with. The thought of 5 new tanks is intriguing, but I don't really keep anything that would be comfortable in a 20H for life. What are the dimensions on 40 breeders?
 

Andrewtfw

Global Moderators
D-Money is right on with the 40B dimensions. A 30B is 30X18. You could probably make two fit on that stand.
 

Avatar

Plenipotentiary-at-large
There's both a 110 and a 120 with 60" X 18" footprints. If you want to do breeding pairs you might consider two 30 gallon breeders which are good for Corys and dwarf cichlids.

I have a wrought iron double 55 stand that I put nine 10 gallon tanks on with the ends out (5 on top, 4 on the bottom) and just laid a 48" fixture across each row (the tanks rest on parallel 2' X 10"s so that both ends of the tanks are fully supported and which also looks better and is probably more intelligent than having the ends floating in space). All have sponge filters running off two pumps and for nine tanks to raise juveniles and hopefully spawn Apistos I have to say it's a pretty low maintenance way to go. If you do something similar you might want to put black construction paper or some such between the tanks to increase their sense of isolation and security, even if it only goes halfway up each tank (which will also block less of the cross lighting if you happen to be growing plants - mine all have floating water sprite, java moss and anubias thrown in, so even with a single 48" tube there's plenty of light and the water sprite creates a nice shaded and hanging root effect).

If you buy a 12' 2"X 10" (or 2" X 12") and cut it crossways and lay the pieces on the top you could go with the 40 breeders - I bought 2 last week and I expect they'll be the coolest tanks I have when they're set up. One 72" fixture and you're in business.

Aren't you glad you asked?
 
Last edited:

longstocking

Members
My opinion.. always go as big as you can :)

Most people never say "I wish I got that 30 gallon tank instead of that 125" :lol:
 
Top