ᐅ Who has ever used the KALLAX as a stand or enclosure for an aquarium?
Created on: 5 Mar 2021 08:17
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Benlukman
Hello everyone,
I am currently considering whether to place my new aquarium directly on an IKEA KALLAX shelf unit instead of using a traditional aquarium stand. My question to the community is: Who has already used the KALLAX shelf as a base for an aquarium?
I am especially interested in stability, load-bearing capacity, and any experiences with moisture exposure affecting the wood or cabinet.
How did you prepare or modify the shelf? Did you encounter any issues with the weight, need for special reinforcements, or perhaps damage caused by water?
I would be grateful for any honest experiences to help me make a well-informed decision!
I am currently considering whether to place my new aquarium directly on an IKEA KALLAX shelf unit instead of using a traditional aquarium stand. My question to the community is: Who has already used the KALLAX shelf as a base for an aquarium?
I am especially interested in stability, load-bearing capacity, and any experiences with moisture exposure affecting the wood or cabinet.
How did you prepare or modify the shelf? Did you encounter any issues with the weight, need for special reinforcements, or perhaps damage caused by water?
I would be grateful for any honest experiences to help me make a well-informed decision!
I also think the KALLAX is great as an aquarium stand! I have a 60-liter (16-gallon) tank on it, and everything works perfectly. It’s also handy that you can store a lot of accessories in the compartments – extremely practical!
I placed a rubber mat underneath for protection, so nothing slips and no water can get to the wood.
Get motivated! It works better than you might expect 🙂
I placed a rubber mat underneath for protection, so nothing slips and no water can get to the wood.
Get motivated! It works better than you might expect 🙂
If you choose KALLAX as a stand for your aquarium, pay special attention to the following points:
- Check the maximum load capacity per compartment carefully (approx. 15 kg (33 lbs))
- Distribute the load evenly, for example by using a board
- Avoid water accumulation
- Seal any cut edges
Without these measures, the shelf is not suitable for long-term use.
- Check the maximum load capacity per compartment carefully (approx. 15 kg (33 lbs))
- Distribute the load evenly, for example by using a board
- Avoid water accumulation
- Seal any cut edges
Without these measures, the shelf is not suitable for long-term use.
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Benlukman5 Mar 2021 13:16pauPierce schrieb:
How big is your aquarium? That could influence the setup recommendations.Hello everyone, thanks already for the answers so far! My aquarium is a standard 60 x 30 x 36 cm (24 x 12 x 14 inches) glass tank, so just under 65 liters (17 gallons). The weight with water is about 70 kg (154 lbs). That’s why I am a bit unsure whether the KALLAX structure can safely support it and what protective measures I should take.
I have also considered using an additional glass or wooden sheet as a base to better distribute the load.
I’m also wondering: Are there any experiences with long-term load? How do the MDF edges behave over months or years if they get exposed to water?
Benlukman schrieb:
My aquarium is a standard 60 x 30 x 36 cm (24 x 12 x 14 inch) glass tank, so just under 65 liters (17 gallons). Weight with water is about 70 kg (154 lbs).That is already quite close to the load limit of a KALLAX compartment, considering its weight capacity.
I would definitely advise adding full-surface reinforcement, for example, a sturdy glass plate or a 12 mm (0.5 inch) plywood sheet placed on the shelf.
Additionally, I recommend a waterproof barrier between the tank and the shelf, since even small water splashes can cause damage to MDF over time. I used a polyethylene cutting mat, which worked well.
Long-term load: My tank has been standing for two years now with no visible deformation. The only important thing is to remove any water immediately and ensure the shelf does not have direct contact with moisture.
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pauPierce5 Mar 2021 14:21Benlukman schrieb:
How do MDF edges hold up over months or years if they get some water exposure?It’s good that you ask, as MDF edges are the weakest point in the construction and particularly vulnerable to moisture.
In my setup, I sealed the edges three times with waterproof polyurethane varnish, which greatly extended their lifespan. Without this treatment, the edges absorb moisture, swell, and lose structural integrity.
Therefore: it is essential to seal the edges precisely, use edge protection profiles or water-repellent coatings, and carry out regular inspections.
If the shelf is placed in a damp environment, I also recommend checking the support surface or base panel for mold or fungal growth.
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