Cinder block tank stand

lolgranny · Aug 20, 2018

Just curious about this. I’m going to get a 80g tank and rather then buy their stand I was just going to get cinder blocks to support the corners

Would this pose any issue that you could see?

Diesel · Aug 20, 2018

Not really but a little unpractical
You probably got to level the tank and you do that by leveling the stand.
If the stand is build from individual units not sure how you going to level that.

laverda · Aug 20, 2018

First it’s ugly, uses up a lot of space that can be used for other things like a sump or storage, not very stable depending on how tall you make it, you will want plywood on top and to make sure it is level.

lolgranny · Aug 20, 2018

Diesel said:
Not really but a little unpractical
You probably got to level the tank and you do that by leveling the stand.
If the stand is build from individual units not sure how you going to level that.

Definitely unpractical lol. I’m just setting a frag tank on it. It’s in my garage floor so I don’t care about the looks. Just need to clear some space and wanted to go cheap

lolgranny · Aug 20, 2018

laverda said:
First it’s ugly, uses up a lot of space that can be used for other things like a sump or storage, not very stable depending on how tall you make it, you will want plywood on top and to make sure it is level.

You just hurt the cinder blocks feelings [emoji23]

Was planning on plywood and thin foam board

Diesel · Aug 20, 2018

lolgranny said:
Definitely unpractical lol. I’m just setting a frag tank on it. It’s in my garage floor so I don’t care about the looks. Just need to clear some space and wanted to go cheap

I agree on that.
In that case I’m all game if it is in the garage.
I guess you don’t have any of these hot summers we have, well we got two seasons here, summer and spring :D

Where in ill are you?
I go hunting in October around the Fairfield/cisne area.
Lots of big corn fed whitetail.

lolgranny · Aug 20, 2018

Diesel said:
I agree on that.
In that case I’m all game if it is in the garage.
I guess you don’t have any of these hot summers we have, well we got two seasons here, summer and spring :D

Where in ill are you?
I go hunting in October around the Fairfield/cisne area.
Lots of big corn fed whitetail.

NW burbs of Chicago. I definitely get hot summers, but fortunately my garage stays cool. I have a 400g tank /700g system. Everything is in the garage. Plumbed it 30’ across the House and put all my sump/ equipment over there haha.

Diesel · Aug 20, 2018

lolgranny said:
NW burbs of Chicago. I definitely get hot summers, but fortunately my garage stays cool. I have a 400g tank /700g system. Everything is in the garage. Plumbed it 30’ across the House and put all my sump/ equipment over there haha.

You have a build thread of that beauty?

lolgranny · Aug 20, 2018

Diesel said:
You have a build thread of that beauty?

Nope, too lazy lol. Have a few photos of some coral but that’s it.

User · Aug 20, 2018

Do it.

I did it for my fishroom, three sets of stands, variable heights for different functions (overflow tank, main sump, frag) topped with a 2x4 frame the same dimensions of the particular tank and a 3/4” plywood sheet

Some say it looks crap- I like it. Not showroom quality, but looks fine in the room.

Leveling is done with composite shims, places between the 2x4 frame and the blocks. Start off with a level floor and use the same brand concrete (not cinder- they haven’t been used in decades) blocks - some brands differ 1/8”, and it’ll need minimal shimming

I didn’t bother painting the blocks, but drylok will do it. Water won’t damage the blocks, and, actually, if you do get a slow leak somewhere, you might notice the discoloration in the block as a clue.

Don’t use foam board if the tanks have frames- not needed.

Good luck and post pics.

More recent pic of the freezer under the 48x24 “ frag tank (50g low boy) stand. Had to elevate with an additional couple pieces of 2x4 as spacers

—————————-
My build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/neil’s-in-wall-180-with-basement-fishroom.390436/

Dan Korczak · Aug 21, 2018

lolgranny said:
Definitely unpractical lol. I’m just setting a frag tank on it. It’s in my garage floor so I don’t care about the looks. Just need to clear some space and wanted to go cheap

And at that, it's a good thing you have this on a garage floor - those things would be pretty rough on nice hardwood floors.
Bonus points for not needing any woodworking :)

lolgranny · Aug 21, 2018

neilp2006 said:
Do it.

I did it for my fishroom, three sets of stands, variable heights for different functions (overflow tank, main sump, frag) topped with a 2x4 frame the same dimensions of the particular tank and a 3/4” plywood sheet

Some say it looks crap- I like it. Not showroom quality, but looks fine in the room.

Leveling is done with composite shims, places between the 2x4 frame and the blocks. Start off with a level floor and use the same brand concrete (not cinder- they haven’t been used in decades) blocks - some brands differ 1/8”, and it’ll need minimal shimming

I didn’t bother painting the blocks, but drylok will do it. Water won’t damage the blocks, and, actually, if you do get a slow leak somewhere, you might notice the discoloration in the block as a clue.

Don’t use foam board if the tanks have frames- not needed.

Good luck and post pics.

More recent pic of the freezer under the 48x24 “ frag tank (50g low boy) stand. Had to elevate with an additional couple pieces of 2x4 as spacers

—————————-
My build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/neil’s-in-wall-180-with-basement-fishroom.390436/

Awesome! Thank you

lolgranny · Aug 21, 2018

Dan Korczak said:
And at that, it's a good thing you have this on a garage floor - those things would be pretty rough on nice hardwood floors.
Bonus points for not needing any woodworking :)

Super convenient having it in the garage. I never have to worry about spilling or making a mess now. Haha

Ratherbeflyen · Aug 23, 2018

Cinder block seems to not only work, but be the preferred method for the guys at Tidal Gardens.

Erica-Renee · Aug 23, 2018

This will work perfectly. I Suggest putting 3/4 ply under the tank and shim between the blocks and Floor to get the blocks perfect, You can also glue them together with Landscape stone Adhesive, Almost any Urethane based Construction Adhesive will also do this ..