Ericson Sy
Seedling
hi, has anyone tried using an ikea kallax as their aquarium stand? Im planning to get a TMC 60cm (26gallons) and place this kallax horizontally. Any tips and suggestions will be a big help. Thank you
Have you got pictures of your tank with the kallax 4x2?Hi,
I use Kallax units for some of my smaller tanks, just don`t get them wet as they soak it up and fall apart very quickly. on the 4 x 2 unit I had a 220 litre tank. It did not over hang the edges at all, I used a camping mat under the tank to smooth out any little lumps and bumps on the unit.
I’ll check the link mate, thank you for thatWhat is the depth (front to back) on that TMC tank? The Kallax is only 39cm, I would not want any overhang...
Also this journal might have some tips:
https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/5ft-bookshelf-aquarium-river-scape.52040/
Note the use of 2 2x2 units instead of 1 2x4 to provide extra vertical support as well as their orientation (not all sides are equally supported on any Kallax).
Edit: Infact, upon further snooping they have a 60cm (60L) and 30cm (27L) on a 2x4 on its side in the background of one of the photos. Maybe worth looking up those journals?
How did you brace the 2 2x2? And where did you get the top board? Your set up is really niceI have use a 4x2 kallax as a stand for a 60p and also a 45p next to each other, the sand was fine but as ppl have said sideways movement is a bit concerning, the 4x2 is not suppose to be on it side in this configuration. Saying that I didn't have any problems. I didnt modify the 4x2 bookshelf at all, but if I was to use the 4x2 again I would brace the back of the bookshelf, it was always on my mind that the stand was not 100% stable, not the best feeling
With my most recent build I also used Kallax shelves again, this time for a 5ft bookshelf tank (20g), I went with 2 of the 2x2 shelfs and added bracing on the back along with using a custom hardwood top, IMO this is very stable and the hardwood top protects the units from water drops etc during maintenance. You can see the 2 x 2x2 and the 4x2 in this photo, the photo was taken before I added the bracing to the back of the 2x2 shelves.
Another thing to consider is where you are going to store the filters etc, with my latest tank the big filters dont fit in the cubes of the kallax and I have to sit them next to the stand.
And what brand of tanks are you using that dont overhang to the kallax?I have use a 4x2 kallax as a stand for a 60p and also a 45p next to each other, the sand was fine but as ppl have said sideways movement is a bit concerning, the 4x2 is not suppose to be on it side in this configuration. Saying that I didn't have any problems. I didnt modify the 4x2 bookshelf at all, but if I was to use the 4x2 again I would brace the back of the bookshelf, it was always on my mind that the stand was not 100% stable, not the best feeling
With my most recent build I also used Kallax shelves again, this time for a 5ft bookshelf tank (20g), I went with 2 of the 2x2 shelfs and added bracing on the back along with using a custom hardwood top, IMO this is very stable and the hardwood top protects the units from water drops etc during maintenance. You can see the 2 x 2x2 and the 4x2 in this photo, the photo was taken before I added the bracing to the back of the 2x2 shelves.
Another thing to consider is where you are going to store the filters etc, with my latest tank the big filters dont fit in the cubes of the kallax and I have to sit them next to the stand.
How did you brace the 2 2x2? And where did you get the top board? Your set up is really nice
And what brand of tanks are you using that dont overhang to the kallax?
Have you got pictures of your tank with the kallax 4x2?
BESTÅ is probably a better option but it needs reinforcing and you'll need to put something on top to redistribute the weight, I use IKEA kitchen doors. My IKEA hacked cabinet.
I have 2 30l EA cubes on a 2 x 2 Kallax shelf been there for the last 18 months with no problems or bend in the shelf they sit on.
Here you go, not to the standard of some tanks on here! rescaped the left tank last weekend and the right about 4 weeks ago.....monte carlo is struggling and some algea on the vesuvius as I have been away for 2 weeks with no maintenance during that period but should come back with so care. Came back to major algea outbreak.View attachment 131113
Each tank has it's on canister filter on the bottom shelf.