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I got a 14 gallon tank (~20.25X10.5X16.5 -- like a tall 10 gallon). I figured it should weigh about 140 pounds. I also have a TV stand made for an old 32" CRT TV that weighed 134 pounds. The stand held the TV with no problem for years, and I could even wheel it around the room with the TV on it... very stable. (and yes, I know to NEVER move a full aquarium). Anyway, I was reading one should use only stands made for aquariums. I bought two different ones, and neither seemed as stable as the TV stand. The TV stand also looked much much better and had plently of places to store supplies. Also, I think it is very unlikely a kid could knock over the aquarium on the TV stand, but more likely they could with the made-for-aquarium stand. I am not worried about the TV stand being strong enough.. I weigh 190 lbs and can sit on it and it is fine. But I do worry the the top board is not made to be around water, and I know a small amount of water will get under the aquarium. Somene suggested we just buy some plastic sheet or waterproof tableloth to protect the manufactured wood. To help level an aquarium I use 1/8th inch cork between the aquarium and the stand. It accounts for any unevenness in the bottom edges of teh aquarium. Nevertheless for large aquariums the stand and floor should be very level to begin with. I would be bothered by a 1/8th inch difference in water level on any of my aquariums, but for your small aquarium, I don't think it matters. More important. Chlorine will kill as quickly as lack of water. If you have valuable fish, beware of city water. They can double chlorine amounts without notice. I had a very rare Barracuda, a beautiful 12 inch long, gorgeous fish, and my "bud". I always used "chlorine eliminator" when changing water. Upon changing the tank water and adding the specified amount of chlorine treatment, the Barracuda went into a violent spasm. I panicked not knowing what was going on. Was the new water poison? In...

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