An aquarium is a beautiful addition to any home but they can be extremely weighty, especially the larger ones!  To support the weight, you need an aquarium stand but how do you know which one is right for you?  Here are our hints and tips for choosing an aquarium stand. If you need any more advice, simply have a chat with your local aquarium specialist.

Choose a Stand that Supports the Aquarium’s Size and Weight

The first and most important thing that you need to do is to make sure that your aquarium stand is capable of supporting both the aquarium’s size and weight.  Go off the filled weight of your aquarium, not the empty weight.  Remember to take into account the sand/gravel at the bottom, plants, ornaments, and the fish themselves when calculating your tank’s weight, not just the water.  Be aware that the type of tank will have an effect on the weight too.  Glass aquariums are twice as heavy as acrylic aquariums so remember to account for this.

Look at the Support the Stand Provides

Another thing that you have to consider when choosing an aquarium stand is the type of support that it provides to the bottom of the tank.  An acrylic aquarium is actually quite flexible and thus it needs to be supported all the way along the bottom.  Glass tanks are very rigid and thus you can get away with a stand that provides support only around the edges.

Do You Need Storage and Accessibility?

Something else to look out for is if you need storage for your aquarium.  Storage can be very useful and cupboards underneath will allow you to store water test kits, food, medicines, spare ornaments, and anything else that you need for your aquarium.  Make sure you can access everything in the cupboards without reaching unnecessarily.  If your stand is housing your filter, heater and other aquarium equipment, make sure that you can easily access these for cleaning, repairs or even replacements.  You don’t want to have to empty your tank and move it off the stand just to get to your vital equipment.

Ensure that Your Stand is Good Quality

Finally, you need to ensure that your aquarium stand is made to a high quality.  If it is a wooden stand, make sure that the wood is treated and finished correctly so that it doesn’t get damaged by moisture.  If you are using a metal stand, again make sure that the metal is protected against water.  Acrylic and laminate aquarium stands are great choices are they tend to be more water resistant.