Large tank leveling - ideas?

[PPBlimpy]

I am finally getting around to setting up my 300G. I built the stand, mostly 2x6 with 3/4" ply top and bottom.

Plan is to run 1" high density foam under the stand. Tank is going in a section of our house that is over 130 years old.

I haven't grabbed a level yet but will be this weekend. Floor beam are braced and jacks underneath are installed.
once i get some water in it i may be able to make fine adjustments via the support jacks.

I can not run adjustable feet, whole stand is solid on the bottom.

Think the foam is enough? I feel the floor isn't to out of level in this particular room.
Is my next bet to ad shims but not sure how well that would go with the foam and solid bottom.

I guess I am just looking for suggestions if things are real bad and will have ideas how to fix

Older photos but gives you an idea

Thanks
Ken

 

[Science/G]

I think some shims, where needed, would be a great idea.

 

[Freenow54]

I don't think foam is a good idea probably 3,500 lbs when done I would use solid wood in all gaps between frame and floor

 

[Science/G]

I agree, foam under the aquarium, not under the stand.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I am estimating more in the 4500+lbs range, complete system supported by the stand is a little under 400G

I have 1/2 pink foam from home depot between tank and stand.
I want something similar between stand and floor because the old 100+ year old hardwood floors are not very consistent and flat.
Figured the foam under the stand would give and allow better support across the entire stand and not just the perimeter or feet like many tanks.
As mentioned I have not thrown a level on the area yet. I may just be overthinking everything.

The tank is perpendicular to the runners under the floor and against a foundation wall, they are approx 4x8 beams spaced every 24 or so inches. Tank will be across 3 of them with another 4x6 parallel to the tank with floor jacks under the 4x6 to give some extra support.

What is the difference between foam under the aquarium vs under the stand?
I know the foam under aquarium is used to support the acrylic tanks of any flatness issues. i figured same logic in regard to under stand allowing load to be evenly dispersed across all 96x30 footprint

 

[Science/G]

If anything settles and moves, it will be the wood stand.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I don't think foam is a good idea probably 3,500 lbs when done I would use solid wood in all gaps between frame and floor

what do you mean all gaps? the whole bottom of the stand is 3/4 ply across the whole 96x30. it is not just a perimeter frame like most. Hoping the foam can take the gaps.

 

[PPBlimpy]

If anything settles and moves, it will be the wood stand.

This is true.

I haven't had an 8ft tank in over 20 years, just trying to be ready

 

[Freenow54]

I am estimating more in the 4500+lbs range, complete system supported by the stand is a little under 400G

I have 1/2 pink foam from home depot between tank and stand.
I want something similar between stand and floor because the old 100+ year old hardwood floors are not very consistent and flat.
Figured the foam under the stand would give and allow better support across the entire stand and not just the perimeter or feet like many tanks.
As mentioned I have not thrown a level on the area yet. I may just be overthinking everything.

The tank is perpendicular to the runners under the floor and against a foundation wall, they are approx 4x8 beams spaced every 24 or so inches. Tank will be across 3 of them with another 4x6 parallel to the tank with floor jacks under the 4x6 to give some extra support.

What is the difference between foam under the aquarium vs under the stand?
I know the foam under aquarium is used to support the acrylic tanks of any flatness issues. i figured same logic in regard to under stand allowing load to be evenly dispersed across all 96x30 footprint

When it settles it may not be level then you have a real project to correct it that is my thinking

 

[PPBlimpy]

When it settles it may not be level then you have a real project to correct it that is my thinking

this is true. i hope it is not the case

 

[Freenow54]

what do you mean all gaps? the whole bottom of the stand is 3/4 ply across the whole 96x30. it is not just a perimeter frame like most. Hoping the foam can take the gaps.

Just thinking most of the downward force will be on the edges not middle so continuous shimming around outside but hardwood

 

[PPBlimpy]

Just thinking most of the downward force will be on the edges not middle so continuous shimming around outside but hardwood

I will definitely have shims on hand, there is a 125G sump that goes in the stand, by my Calcs will be holding approx 85 gallons, sitting across the 2x4 cross beams.

this is why i started this thread, need ideas and appreciate your input

 

[Asm481]

No foam under the stand. Solid shims either wood or composite. Shim primarily where the joists or beams run under the stand, that is what ultimately carries the weight.

 

[Freenow54]

No foam under the stand. Solid shims either wood or composite. Shim primarily where the joists or beams run under the stand, that is what ultimately carries the weight.

I agree with you except in my mind the weight gets spread over the entire bottom

 

[Cabinetman]

The best way I have found is to use a laser level, set it up away from the tank and then just measure from either the top of the tank or the top of the stand in all four corners and just make the measurement the same in each spot and the tank will then be perfectly level The other way is to partially fill the tank with water and measure the waterline in the four corners and just make it exactly the same that will also make it exactly level using just a regular level is very hard to make a tank completely level because it’s hard to go from corner to corner, but by measuring the corners using either the laser or the waterline guarantees, it will be perfect as long as the laser level is accurate. I would use foam between the stand and the tank, but definitely not between the floor and the stand because you will probably have to shim it, and it would be very hard to shim it if there was foam. this is coming from a guy who has set up literally dozens of 300+ gallon tanks.