Tiny gap between tank and stand

Jskinn27 · Jul 14, 2019

I got a 210 gallon custom built tank by deep sea aquatics. Tank is 6ftx27”x27.5 and 3/4 inch glass. Built a stand the past couple of weeks and the stand is level in all directions.. anyway, I placed the tank on the stand, leak tested it and plumbed everything. Tonight I noticed that there’s a tiny gap between the tank frame and stand, mostly in the middle front and back areas. I’ll post pics to follow. I can only fit 1 credit card between the gap. What should I do? Is the gap large enough to cause problems wit 3/4 inch glass? Should I put a 1/4 inch plywood or pvc board under the tank?

Jskinn27 · Jul 14, 2019

Note, the uneven surface in the last picture is just the plywood skin, (which will be covered with trim and bears no weight). All weight is on 2x4 and 2x6 wood.

dantimdad · Jul 14, 2019

If you are putting trim in you can put down 1/2" styrofoam and let the trim cover the edge of it.

This will take up imperfections in the stand.

I put almost every tank on styrofoam.

Jskinn27 · Jul 14, 2019

What kind of foam?

dantimdad · Jul 15, 2019

Go to lowe's or home depot and get a sheet of insulating styro foam.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Insulfoam-...ene-Garage-Door-Foam-Board-Insulation/3033278

Saltlife · Jul 15, 2019

Some wooden door shims will work for you and their cheap. Push them in cut off what's hanging out. Simple.

Jskinn27 · Jul 15, 2019

Thank you!

Also, I was reading you shouldn’t shim under the tank?

Eagle_Steve · Jul 15, 2019

Jskinn27 said:
Thank you!

Also, I was reading you shouldn’t shim under the tank?

I believe @Saltlife was referring to just the trim piece. you shim just that area of the trim to fill the gap.

I also place foam under my tanks, even rimmed ones. Like @dantimdad mentioned, it is cheap at a big box hardware store, and works great.

Either option will work and one is not better than the other, in my opinion. The goal is to provide the most contact area from tank to stand. This eliminates any pressure points or stress from pressure points.

BornHandy · Jul 15, 2019

If it were my tank, I would do the foam as well. if that just isn't in the cards, there is also a foam strip weather seal material that does a great job. It's rubberized, adhesive on one side, and thinner than the foam.

Both will require lifting the tank up, but the weather seal will crush down a bit flatter, so if you need to stay close to the current height, it may be a better option.