Leveling a Rimmed 6' tank

[NEReef]

hey so I built a DIY stand for my new 6' long 150g and there is a slight gap (< 1/32") in the front center brace big enough for about 3 sheets of copy paper to slide into. I didn't put plywood on the top so I am thinking I will take the tank off and try to plane the top level and add plywood. The only problem is the tank is heavy and I dont have alot of working room so I want to avoid putting it on and off the stand too many times. I was wondering about after putting plywood on the top if I poured a thin layer of self leveling underlayment down on the top to level the surface if it would be able to handle the weight of the tank long term. I would be worried about it cracking and crumbling along the rim of the tank. Any thoughts or opinions?

 

[madweazl]

Perhaps some foam sandwiched between two sheets of plywood?

 

[mcgyvr]

3 sheets of paper in the center... pfft..
Thats fine IMO.. Fill er up

 

[RocketEngineer]

3 sheets of paper in the center... pfft..
Thats fine IMO.. Fill er up

Agreed.

 

[NEReef]

So that level of gap wouldn't bother you guys even if it is over a large portion of the span? If you dont think it is that much of an issue, I am thinking I will just put a piece of 3/4" plywood across the top and call it a day.

 

[Ktm898]

So that level of gap wouldn't bother you guys even if it is over a large portion of the span? If you dont think it is that much of an issue, I am thinking I will just put a piece of 3/4" plywood across the top and call it a day.

my 55gal has a gap close to 4papers. Its been up 2 years with no problem.

 

[thejuggernaut]

Yep, put water in it, that gap will disappear. They don't build those tanks to 1/32" tolerances.

 

[rwb500]

i would never build a stand without a 3/4" ply top. it's just so easy to add, and it creates a nice flat surface and it reinforces the structure a little. but i think you are fine either way.

 

[NEReef]

i would never build a stand without a 3/4" ply top. it's just so easy to add, and it creates a nice flat surface and it reinforces the structure a little. but i think you are fine either way.

Ya I originally intended to put one on but when the help arrived to move the tank it wasn't on so I just skipped it..... Now I have to take the tank off and do it right.

 

[mkj]

as the others said, above. just slide the three sheets where the gap is and call it a day. Use plastic sheets such as for projectors. They will act as the filler of the gap.

 

[thedasher]

You could put some shims under the cabinet

 

[mfaso24]

Putting plywood on top of this stand would actually do nothing being that the tank is rimmed...that means the only point of contact are on the outside frame.

 

[sleepydoc]

It would reinforce the structure a bit to prevent racking, but otherwise you're right - it will do nothing to solve the OP's problem. (even though it really isn't a problem.)

 

[iGeeve]

personally, i'd at least use a sheet of ply and a piece of foam. any is better than none.

 

[RocketEngineer]

personally, i'd at least use a sheet of ply and a piece of foam. any is better than none.

Using foam under a rimmed tank is more likely to cause a failure than using the stand without anything else on top.

 

[mfaso24]

Judging by the picture I'm trying to figure out what is not level about the stand and tank as it is?

 

[jevolk]

You could put some shims under the cabinet<br/>
I agree with the shims.

 

[Flippers4pups]

If your that worried about a small gap, then you could go to an extreme like I did and use some self leveling epoxy on the top to take up the gap. Poof, no gap!

 

[reefermad619]

Leave it alone. But if you must, 3/4" ply top. Shim inbetween the plywood and top of stand. Next time if you don't want the ply top, but the lumber slightly larger and use a table saw with a good fence and cut the wood down. Leaves a nice flat surface.

 

[P7269]

I set mine up today. Same size and I used cardboard strips.