innovative marine self leveling mat

[Fishcrisp]

After a few years away from the hobby, I’m finally getting back into it and just picked up an Innovative Marine 100EXT last week. Today I got the stand set up, and I have some friends coming over Monday to help me place the tank.
When I put down the self-leveling mat, I noticed it doesn’t look perfectly even/flat. Is that normal, or is the mat supposed to sit completely uniform?

Just want to make sure everything is good before we set the tank in place. Thanks!

 

[Falcareef]

The self-leveling mat is actually the one that comes attached to the base of the tank—it’s like a rubber layer. The photos you’re showing are of a base meant to create a bit of separation between the tank and the aluminum stand. Don’t worry, this is normal. Once you fill the tank with water, everything will settle perfectly. Just make sure to level it before filling.

 

[Fishcrisp]

The self-leveling mat is actually the one that comes attached to the base of the tank—it’s like a rubber layer. The photos you’re showing are of a base meant to create a bit of separation between the tank and the aluminum stand. Don’t worry, this is normal. Once you fill the tank with water, everything will settle perfectly. Just make sure to level it before filling.

Oop sorry yea im talking about rubber mat. Now should i put the screws in before putting the tank so the mat wont move?

 

[exnisstech]

Don't put any screws between the tank and stand. That's just asking for a disaster IMO Just have enough help to get the mat positioned correctly before you fill the tank.

 

[Fishcrisp]

Don't put any screws between the tank and stand. That's just asking for a disaster IMO Just have enough help to get the mat positioned correctly before you fill the tank.

Got it,Mine came with four small screws, one for each corner, that look like they’re meant to hold the mat down. But wont put them now.

 

[X-37B]

Just use painting tape to hold it in place then trim it off. I did not use any screws on my 170, 112, and 50.

 

[exnisstech]

I wouid be afraid they would create a high spot and caused stress on the tank at that point which could result in a broken bottom panel. Maybe you could glue the mat to the stand in a few places to help hold it in place? My small IM20 along with my WB snd RS tanks all came with the leveling mats glued to the tanks.

PS. I like @X-37B suggestion of painters tape better than glue.

 

[mmorrison55]

The only IM I have is the lagoon 25 that had the leveling mat already attached to the glass bottom.

What screws are you going to leave out? If that’s an IM tank stand, then it was designed that way, and I don’t know if you should be leaving out any screws.

But I wouldn’t imagine they’d design a tank that would have a screw head protruding under the glass bottom, or be designed to screw down the leveling mat.

I would think any screws were structural and would be designed to sit flush or below surface level if intended to to go between the tank and it’s stand, and the leveling mat would cover the stand top so that there were no high spots that created a pressure point on the glass.

The Last thing you want is an unsound stand holding a hundred galllons of water inside your house.

I think we need pictures showing the screws and where the OP thinks they belong on the stand.


You guys that have larger IM tanks and stands, does this sound right? Are there screws that protrude above the top of the stand?