I just bought a 12 gallon rimless tank. I have a long dresser that is made of actual wood, and it already has a set up and going 5 gallon fish tank with guppies on one end of the dresser. Everything is good with it. What I was wondering is if I could put my 12 gallon fish tank on the other side or not. I’m not sure how much my dresser can hold, and am worried about the weight if I fill up and set the 12 galllon up.
CappyBeginner
Would it be okay to put a 12 gallon fish tank on a dresser that already has a 5 gallon (already set up) on the other end.
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It really depends on the sturdiness of your dresser. A 12-gallon tank filled with water, substrate, and decorations (use live plants please) will weigh around 120-150 pounds. Combined with the weight of your existing 5-gallon tank, that could be a significant load on your dresser. I’d recommend checking the weight capacity of your dresser or considering a stand specifically designed for aquariums.
Here, I made this calculator for you, check it out:
Cappy
Let’s do the math: Water weighs about 8.34 lbs per gallon. So, 12 gallons is roughly 100 pounds, plus substrate, equipment, and decorations might add another 20-30 pounds. Your 5-gallon tank is probably around 60-70 pounds total. Your dresser needs to hold at least 170 pounds distributed.
I had a similar setup with two tanks on an old wooden dresser, and it started to sag in the middle after a few months. I’d be cautious and maybe put some additional support under the dresser if you can, it’ll definitely make a difference.
Simple physics here: water is heavy!
Measure the length and depth of your dresser. Divide the weight of both tanks by the area to see if the dresser can distribute the weight without sagging.
Or just do the math for you: most dressers should hold up to 200 pounds if they’re well-made, but you’re cutting it close.
Why not add some support braces underneath the dresser? It’s a quick DIY fix and will give you peace of mind. You can find some tutorials online for reinforcing furniture.
I’d also consider the vibrations from the dresser if it’s being opened and closed regularly. This could stress your fish out over time.
@ Cappy Could you possibly redistribute some of the weight by moving other items off the dresser? Every bit helps, and you don’t want to risk it collapsing and harming your fish.
Yes, I took all my items off so only the 2 tanks would be on.
If your dresser is solid wood and not particle board or MDF, it should hold up better. Vintage pieces tend to be more durable. But still, better safe than sorry. Maybe test it out with some weights first?
I learned the hard way with a 10-gallon tank on a flimsy bookshelf. Long story short: water everywhere. Listen to everyone here and make sure your dresser can handle the weight before committing.