Question: 40g Tank on top of dresser. Yes or No?

[cpsTN]

I have a dresser whose top measures 19x53", with mirror. I am thinking of putting my 40g tank (18x36", 17" high) on top. It will contain only about 25g water, not 40g. It is a dresser I hardly ever, if ever, use this dresser. I know that 25g of water plus gravel or rock or whatever will probably weigh in the area of 200#. Is there anything unsafe about doing this or anything I should consider that I might not be thinking about?

Charles Sands
37129

 

[JoshBA]

I have a 4ft 55 gallon tank filled with 20 gallons of water on my dresser, but this dresser is extremely solid.
What is underneath and supporting the top sheet of wood on the furniture in question?

 

[cpsTN]

This is an older, solid wood dresser. The top is about 1/2", with nearly 3/4" plywood sheet under that. The two top drawers below that are only a hands width deep with a good 3/4" support between the two drawers. That is the best way I can describe it.

Charles Sands
37129

 

[JoshBA]

It should probably be fine then. The weight of the tank will only be pressing down on the edges (if it has a rim) of where it sits, where the most support of the dresser is likely to be.

 

[cpsTN]

I was thinking of putting a piece of plywood (OSB) under the tank to distribute the weight. It would effectively act like a washer. More for my peace of mind.