We know this Ikea shelf is not going to hold the weight of 50-60 pounds of rock, sand, dirt, and water of this new aquarium. And so, Dean (handy husband person) and I have endeavored over the weekend to reinforce the shelf and put all of our minds at ease.
First Dean cut, and sanded a 2” by 2” piece of scrap lumber I found in the hoarder section of the porch. Then I painted it white. This will not only help it blend in but protect it from any water spillage and humidity.
Dean measured and cut some squishy black matting to the size of the wood beam to help it adhere properly, without gaps, to the underside of the shelf. Then he measured where the center of the aquarium on each side would sit, and after some kind of mathematical measuring, that I did not participate in, and drilled large bolts in on either side. He also drilled screws in through the underside of the beam to hold the board tightly to the bottom of the shelf.
@yoshelb @Dean Replying to @mmk_sf the bookshelf aquarium is supoorted and ready to be built out. #aquairum #ikeabookshelf #bookshelf #plantedtank #lowtechtank ♬ Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O'Sullivan
