Large aquarium on Saltillo tile - suggestions needed

[Jarob]

Ive searched and googled as much as I could but can not come up with a definitive solution so figured I'd get the forums input, maybe we can come up with something I'm more comfortable with. Few pictures below showing the flooring, my current tank (Waterbox 80.4) and then where the new tank is going. I cant place rubber directly on this tile either as it has a reaction and ruins the tile (LOL).

I am purchasing an IM 200 EXT and need to figure out how to place it on our Mexican Saltillo tile without worry (the ENTIRE house has this flooring). The tile is incredibly uneven if you're familiar with it with high points and large low grout lines; it is also a fairly soft tile as far as tile goes. The tile is on slab and I do not hear any hollow spots where the tank is going so at least I've got that going. The stand does not have leveling feet which I think is a good thing due to the extreme PSI they would place on the tile, but with this flooring I don't think shims are an option - plus I would prefer there to be space under the stand for moisture control with this tile as it can stain.

Im looking into hd leveling casters which I like, but then again it also creates that very specific heavy weight load points - worry about it cracking the tile. Also, again I can not have rubber directly on the tile so I would have to put some felt or something on the casters.

I did buy 10 of these 5"x5" steel embedded rubber mats for a previous tank that ended up not getting used, I covered the bottom with a thick felt 5"x5" pad to prevent the rubber reacting with the tile.

I've considered horse stall mats, but I would need a way to raise it off the tile so theres airflow for water spills.
Home depot pink foam
etc etc

Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated! I'm getting the tank a week from Sunday, the 21st.

 

[JayM]

You could look into spill containment grates. The only drawback is that they're usually 2"-3" tall.

Drum Grate for Spill Pallets and Accumulation Centers | 28259 | Justrite

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[CHSUB]

Overthinking, I think…haha! Same floor, had tank about 8 years, 300+ gallon DT, plus 100 gal sump on metal stand with plastic super strong shims because floor was also very uneven. When we moved no damage to floor…see floor.

 

[Jarob]

Overthinking, I think…haha! Same floor, had tank about 8 years, 300+ gallon DT, plus 100 gal sump on metal stand with plastic super strong shims because floor was also very uneven. When we moved no damage to floor…see floor.

Now this is what I like to see! I'm sure I am overthinking it, Im more worried about potentially cracking a tile and causing the filed tank to become uneven than I am about protecting the floor.

Your stand was just on the floor directly? No feet or pads or anything?

Maybe Ill just use some composite shims; without the casters or feet the weight is distributed well. Ill order 8 of those leveling casters on standby if I can shim it properly and place those over the 5" pads for greater distribution.

 

[CHSUB]

Now this is what I like to see! I'm sure I am overthinking it, Im more worried about potentially cracking a tile and causing the filed tank to become uneven than I am about protecting the floor.

Your stand was just on the floor directly? No feet or pads or anything?

Maybe I’ll just use some composite shims; without the casters or feet the weight is distributed well. I’ll order 8 of those leveling casters on standby if I can shim it properly and place those over the 5" pads for greater distribution.

Yes mine was right on the floor with shims to level because it was about +1/8 inch unlevel iirc…I will note my stand was industrial grade welded steel, very strong; and my tiles were installed with concrete and solid. I was not worried at all…there was even an area of the stand that didn’t touch the floor. I might be concerned if your stand floats in some areas if it is not super strong?

 

[Jarob]

Yes mine was right on the floor with shims to level because it was about +1/8 inch unlevel iirc…I will note my stand was industrial grade welded steel, very strong; and my tiles were installed with concrete and solid. I was not worried at all…there was even an area of the stand that didn’t touch the floor. I might be concerned if your stand floats in some areas if it is not super strong?

Stand is aluminum, I would shim every 2-3" if theres space for them.

 

[CHSUB]

Stand is aluminum, I would shim every 2-3" if theres space for them.

Yes aluminum is very strong and not suggesting what you should do, only what I did….over building strong is always better imo!

 

[UncommonSense]

Stand is aluminum, I would shim every 2-3" if theres space for them.

I recommend shimming every air gap you can find, it significantly reduces PSI on the flooring, and a stand that was designed to be supported across its full contact patch by the floor!

 

[Julie'sreef]

HELLO same custom made aquarium here

 

[Jarob]

Another question, Im watching innovative marines stand assembly videos, they have these rubber pads in the 4 corners of the stand, wouldn't these cause the bracing in-between the pads to not be resting directly on the floor?

 

[UncommonSense]

Another question, Im watching innovative marines stand assembly videos, they have these rubber pads in the 4 corners of the stand, wouldn't these cause the bracing in-between the pads to not be resting directly on the floor?

Interesting! I wonder if they are using 6-8 of these, or if they rely on a stout frame to support from four corners only…

The frame’s construction suggests that it’s designed for point supports… it could be worth contacting the manufacturer to figure out exactly how this stand interfaces with the floor!

 

[Jarob]

Interesting! I wonder if they are using 6-8 of these, or if they rely on a stout frame to support from four corners only…

The frame’s construction suggests that it’s designed for point supports… it could be worth contacting the manufacturer to figure out exactly how this stand interfaces with the floor!

I just emailed them and got a reply in minutes, see below:

"The rubber pads are thin and made to compress so the entire stand touches the floor.

It is best to have the entire stand supported."

Its a shame because this tank is 2 years old, if you order a one new it comes with a separate "Leveling Frame with Adjustable Feet" which is an entirely separate piece that the stand sits on, also raising the height of the stand 4" which I like. They don't sell it separately so not an option.

 

[UncommonSense]

I just emailed them and got a reply in minutes, see below:

"The rubber pads are thin and made to compress so the entire stand touches the floor.

It is best to have the entire stand supported."

Its a shame because this tank is 2 years old, if you order a one new it comes with a separate "Leveling Frame with Adjustable Feet" which is an entirely separate piece that the stand sits on, also raising the height of the stand 4" which I like. They don't sell it separately so not an option.

I suppose you could also build one of these?

Though, best-bet is likely going to be shimming!

I know I laid a sheet of 1/8” HIPS plastic between the concrete floor, and wood stand for my 180g, this served to absorb any high spots (rocks) in the concrete to some extent… it also serves as a non-permeable moisture barrier between floor and wood stand!

— this is likely best used as strips of plastic, consuming gaps >1/8” between level stand, and non-level floor before shimming!

I think a good first step would be using a 4-8ft level, and checking the floor in that area to confirm that it doesn’t slope left/right or front/back!

 

[Jarob]

It doesn't slope I've already checked, but the tiles do have as much as a 1/2" variation in height between tiles, grout lines, etc.

 

[UncommonSense]

It doesn't slope I've already checked, but the tiles do have as much as a 1/2" variation in height between tiles, grout lines, etc.

Phew! That’s significant!

The leveling frame might be worth revisiting…

Otherwise, it would be a job for thick/long shims, and a lot of patience! (Getting shims into the center spine is going to be a nightmare…)

 

[Jarob]

Probably gonna shim but seeing if there's any other ideas

 

[Seattle_Diver]

Hi. How did it go? I’m about to do the same thing and if you have any advice please pass it along.

 

[Seattle_Diver]

Hi. How did it go? I’m about to do the same thing and if you have any advice please pass it along.

 

[Jarob]

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[Jarob]

Hi. How did it go? I’m about to do the same thing and if you have any advice please pass it along.

Going great! Have 10 of those 1/2" thick steel rubber covered plates with felt on the bottom under a piece of 3/4" sealed marine plywood and then the stand on that. No broken tiles, airflow for any moisture, and felt keeps the rubber from staining the tile. 220g on top of it over a 4x3 footprint.

My build thread has pictures of the whole thing.