For my 120gal setup, I have the traditional black pine AGA/Aqueon Stand. I purchased it in April of 2010.
the problem is specific to the rather flimsy, plywood bottom shelf.
Like most reefers, I keep my sump and refugium down below.
I have a 20gal sump on the right which runs about half full, and a 10gal refugium on the left which runs full.
On the left, I have noticed that the plywood is giving way, and the refugium is beginning to sag to the right (to the center of the cabinet). The depression is pretty severe now.
In the old days, I had a particle board (modern) AGA stand that warped. But that was years ago.
I am virtually positive that the bottom plywood lends no structural support to the stand.
And clearly, I need to remove the refugium, before the tilt becomes so severe that the refugium tank cracks.
But can I repair this bottom piece of plywood? I imagine that with leaks from the refugium, it has begun to rot out.
Can I cut away the rotted and warped part down below? Has anyone ever done this? Again, this isn't the sides of the cabinet, but the flimsy plywood piece on the bottom. If I remove part of the bottom, I could use the firm floor underneath the aquarium to support the refugium.
Can I just add a shelf above the bottom part to elevate my refugium, that is fastened to the sides of the stand? The refigium is just a 10gal plexiglass tank that maybe weighs 100lbs. I could replace it with a 5gal tank that would weigh much less.
Please advise,
Matt
the problem is specific to the rather flimsy, plywood bottom shelf.
Like most reefers, I keep my sump and refugium down below.
I have a 20gal sump on the right which runs about half full, and a 10gal refugium on the left which runs full.
On the left, I have noticed that the plywood is giving way, and the refugium is beginning to sag to the right (to the center of the cabinet). The depression is pretty severe now.
In the old days, I had a particle board (modern) AGA stand that warped. But that was years ago.
I am virtually positive that the bottom plywood lends no structural support to the stand.
And clearly, I need to remove the refugium, before the tilt becomes so severe that the refugium tank cracks.
But can I repair this bottom piece of plywood? I imagine that with leaks from the refugium, it has begun to rot out.
Can I cut away the rotted and warped part down below? Has anyone ever done this? Again, this isn't the sides of the cabinet, but the flimsy plywood piece on the bottom. If I remove part of the bottom, I could use the firm floor underneath the aquarium to support the refugium.
Can I just add a shelf above the bottom part to elevate my refugium, that is fastened to the sides of the stand? The refigium is just a 10gal plexiglass tank that maybe weighs 100lbs. I could replace it with a 5gal tank that would weigh much less.
Please advise,
Matt