DIY Stand issue PLEASE help . Worried about stress to glass

[kris2for]

Hi there.

After speaking to forum people and research i scrapped the particle baord free stand and built a sturdy 2x4/2x6 stand. Only problem is in the garage slab must be different then the house floor. I have 2 questions

1. looks like the living room floor is slightly not level probably for foundation run off?

But the tank looks the same level

Is this a problem or should be fine?


And my most important question

2. Looks like stand frame i built is off one side and bringing the top 3/4 plywood down so top is not flush on right side.

What is my resolution? Im guessing shim under plywood /frame and then a mat for top just to be safe?

 

[kris2for]

 

[Dom]

Where the stand and the floor are concerned, shimming it will work fine. You can trim it and won't be able to notice it.

Where the tank and stand are concerned, shimming will work too, but it is a question of aesthetics.

You can trim a yoga mat or piece or 1/2" styrofoam to fit neatly between the tank and stand. This will help to self-level the tank.

 

[Billdogg]

Shim between the stand and floor to level the stand. Use plenty of shims. To level the top, shim between the top piece of plywood and the frame of the stand. DO NOT shim between the tank and top - you could create pressure points on the tank causing an eventual failure.

 

[I’m Batman]

Did you fill this tank and see that gap worked out? I have the same issue.

 

[hikermike]

In any case, I'd use a mat even with a framed tank as it really protects the top keeping water from seeping and leveling the top. You wouldn't want the water weight to cause that tank to sag down to the top as it might cause a seam to pull open a bit. I've used both closed cell sponge rubber mats (to keep water out) and styrofoam. Both even out inequalities.

 

[Crustaceon]

You could also just sand down the high spots on the top of the stand until you get a level surface. 40 grit on a sander will do the job very efficiently. Use a level to check the surface from multiple directions until the gap closes.

 

[a hill]

What it means is you need to level your house before starting your tank. There’s all sorts of strategies for that!

In earnest, the only thing left to add is that framed tanks only need support along the frame edge. This means you don’t actually need a plywood sheet under where the tank goes. In doing so you can drop the tank down a little under the plywood trim and hide the plastic frame. All the tank needs is the 2x4 edge support. Doing what I’m talking about would add much more work.

The only question is if you’re okay with an uneven waterline.

I’m the guy that tears the floor apart and rebuilds is perfectly level. Two different times for different tanks.

-Andrew