Uneven DIY stand top

[Matt Carden]

The stand I built for my 150 gallon eurobraced SCA tank has a bow in the middle causing there to be a gap between the tank and the stand on the sides, more pronounced in the front where I have a header with no vertical supports. In the back the gap is maybe a 32nd on each side. In the front my gap is about an eighth on each side. I used the included quarter inch foam pad from SCA. The tank does not have water. I have attached pics starting at front left side going to the right and around. I will attach some photos of build in next post. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Matt Carden]

 

[Matt Carden]

Can anyone help? Is my tank going to crack when i fill it?

 

[Mandelstam]

I would make a flat and level stand top out of self leveling concrete/epoxy. It does look like your stand could cause some twisting and bending that isn't healthy for tanks. And it's easy to fix now before your tank is set up.

 

[Matt Carden]

I would make a flat and level stand top out of self leveling concrete/epoxy. It does look like your stand could cause some twisting and bending that isn't healthy for tanks. And it's easy to fix now before your tank is set up.

I was hoping not to have to repaint the stand after anyone rework. I was thinking about the self leveling concrete myself. How thick would it need to be?

 

[Mandelstam]

Most kinds I've seen are fine with just 4-5mm so not thick at all.

 

[Matt Carden]

Can anyone tell me if I were to use a half inch thick insulation panel instead of the included quarter inch foam pad would that solve my problem or would there still be too much stress in the middle of the tank?

 

[Matt Carden]

Most kinds I've seen are fine with just 4-5mm so not thick at all.

And they would hold up to 2000# of weight without cracking?

 

[Matt Carden]

I was also thinking of using some shims

 

[Mandelstam]

I was also thinking of using some shims

If it was me I would make a totally flat surface for the tank to sit on with self leveling concrete, if it after filling is not level due to shifting of the floor etc, I would shim the stand until level again. Using shims to try and fill up the low spots between tank and stand I don't think is a good idea though and I think it'll be a lot more work to get right.

 

[Awesome Dennis]

You should be able to use thicker foam to make that up.
I've got an sca that I'm planning on using better foam than they supplied

 

[Matt Carden]

I was thinking about a half inch thick yoga pad

 

[Erica-Renee]

at this point if you can not shim under the stand to get it right. Your best best would be to Laminate another sheet of ply on top Using a leveling material between the layers to fill the Void and allow for a perfect flat surface. I would NOT Use any type of leveling materials directly under the tank nor would i use a larger mat without first Talking to the Tank Builder about this.

You could do this by placing the new ply on top the existing top.. then place the tank on that. Shim accordingly to get the tank level. Remove the tank and the top ply and use the shims as a guide to what is needed .

Good Luck

 

[dugthefish]

I'm more concerned with the single 2x6 header with no middle support.

 

[Mandelstam]

I wouldn't try and fill up the gaps with more foam, foam is just air and doesn't give support.

 

[don_chuwish]

I'm more concerned with the single 2x6 header with no middle support.

I think it looks plenty stout - two 2x6 sandwiching 3/4" plywood is a heck of a beam for that span.

The gaps between top and tank are way too big for my comfort though. I like the epoxy or self leveling concrete ideas best. Then the pad on top of that. See this thread, turned out great:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/self-leveling-epoxy.486035/

 

[Matt Carden]

I removed my top plywood and shimed between my 2"×6" and the plywood to bring it within 1/32" of level all the way across.

Also I emailed Steve@SCA to inquire with him about the use of a yoga mat under my 150.

 

[Matt Carden]

Update: Steve@SCA emailed me back that using a 1/2" Yoga mat is better than using the stock one.

 

[don_chuwish]

Good to know!

 

[codycolina707]

Update: Steve@SCA emailed me back that using a 1/2" Yoga mat is better than using the stock one.

so did you figure it out because i have a sca 150 pnp with a stand that came with the tank and its not touching on front right and front left using 1/4 yoga pad my floor is a little uneven though so idk might need to figure that out