Sinking Floor on 2nd Story

[rafibendahan99]

Hey everyone!
So I’ve had this 75gal system for about a year and I’ve just realized that the floorboards are sagging slightly around the floor joists. I have an IM 75 Ext with the APS stand and leveling frame. The frame itself has 3 rows of feet that run parallel to (but in between) the floor joists. So I was thinking I could put some wood planks under each row of feet perpendicular to the joists.

Now here are my problems:
If I I emptied out most of the water and rock from the tank, could I use a palette jack to lift the whole stand and tank up to put the boards down? Or would the weight risk damaging/bending the stand/frame?

If that would work, do I need to use a specific wood that could withstand the pressure? And should I waterproof that wood first?

I’ll try to attach a photo for more context.
Thanks in advance for all the helpful feedback you all always give!
Happy Reefing :)

 

[UncommonSense]

Or would the weight risk damaging/bending the stand/frame?

I wouldn’t risk it… these stands are flat pack boards, and the leveling feet are under each of the respective load bearing pillars of the stand… lifting everything up at once from between these load bearing pillars seems like a recipe for disaster!

I think best-bet would be fully draining the tank and moving all that water/rock to a brute can/etc to hold… remove the tank from stand and set in a safe spot, then move your stand as-needed!

If that would work, do I need to use a specific wood that could withstand the pressure? And should I waterproof that wood first?

If you’re talking about laying 2x? lumber out flat below the leveling feet, this tends to not work out great, actually! (Reference my tank thread to see how things can start bending over time!)

A sheet of plywood could help, but it also has the annoying tendency to deform over time…

I’m imagining a simple, cheap 2x4 framed, 3/4” CDX plywood topped platform; painted to match the stand (probably with exterior house paint, or similar… better options exist, but the challenge of sourcing/applying often scales), ideally painted before final assembly!

(The lumber on edge provides a substantial amount of resistance to deflection)

 

[rafibendahan99]

I wouldn’t risk it… these stands are flat pack boards, and the leveling feet are under each of the respective load bearing pillars of the stand… lifting everything up at once from between these load bearing pillars seems like a recipe for disaster!

I think best-bet would be fully draining the tank and moving all that water/rock to a brute can/etc to hold… remove the tank from stand and set in a safe spot, then move your stand as-needed!


If you’re talking about laying 2x? lumber out flat below the leveling feet, this tends to not work out great, actually! (Reference my tank thread to see how things can start bending over time!)

A sheet of plywood could help, but it also has the annoying tendency to deform over time…

I’m imagining a simple, cheap 2x4 framed, 3/4” CDX plywood topped platform; painted to match the stand (probably with exterior house paint, or similar… better options exist, but the challenge of sourcing/applying often scales), ideally painted before final assembly!

(The lumber on edge provides a substantial amount of resistance to deflection)

Thanks for the very helpful info! Sounds like I will have to undo the plumbing, move the stand, and construct an under-stand platform. I may reach back out if I struggle to build it but thank you again!