levelling tank and stand

[rainingshots]

I don't know if this is a standard practice but I don't think many people take it into consideration. I have this issue and have a few questions. My floor is hardwood and very slightly unlevel making my stand slightly wobble. Would it be ok to put some high density foam (same foam used for heavy equipment such as gym equipment) under the stand and then do the same under the tank? In my view that should relieve any major pressure. The stand I have is the Oceanic tech series stand 48x24 (120 gallon) which is built with a flat surface to lay the tank on. The tank is a 120 gallon miracles rimless and braceless tank.

 

[bravanc]

if it were me, i would shim the stand as best as i could all along the base with no large gaps not supporting the the base. The weight of the tank and water will cause the stand to flex if not supported properly. Then put the foam under the tank, the foam will give allowing the tank to move where it need to where as there is no give if set on a solid flat surface

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14439333#post14439333 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bravanc
if it were me, i would shim the stand as best as i could all along the base with no large gaps not supporting the the base. The weight of the tank and water will cause the stand to flex if not supported properly. Then put the foam under the tank, the foam will give allowing the tank to move where it need to where as there is no give if set on a solid flat surface

++1 on the shims.

 

[kraze3]

If you do put foam under the tank, cut it to make sure there is no pressure on the bottom pane.

 

[tromblydavid]

You need to shim the stand and I would also use a pad/foam between the tank and the stand

 

[tromblydavid]

Also you do not need to cut the foam under the tank. I don't know why you would do this.

 

[kraze3]

You dont want the foam pushing on the bottom pane of glass. Too much pressure and the bottom pane can break leaving a huge mess. You only want the foam under the rim of the tank.
If its an acrylic tank, that is a different story.

 

[tromblydavid]

Did you read that somewhere? I cannot see why there would be any pressure pushing up on the bottom pane. The weight of the water pushes down?

 

[jnb]

I think any of us with good sense take this into consideration.

My default is I put stiffish rubber under each leg - by the time the weight comes down, the legs that need shim just don't compress the rubber as much as the legs which are longer (or floor which is lower).

If when I put my tank on, and as I fill up I watch for gaps, wobble, level - and if a particular leg needs shim - I shim. Not all stands are perfectly built and not all legs are the same length, most floors are not perfect - if as you fill something needs attention do the logical thing - taking into consideration that some stands settle more than others, etc.

Its good to have containers handy to take back all the water in case after first filling something needs more attention, empty the tank, fix it, refill.

 

[jnb]

it is a known fact - glass aquariums should only be supported around the perimeter. If you have a PERFECTLY FLAT stand top that does not give AT ALL - then perhaps you may be OK.

The problem is when it all settles, their may be imperfections in the stand's top other than perfectly flat which puts the glass in a bind - too much pressure on too small of an area of glass - unlike water pressing equally over the entire area.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14439987#post14439987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tromblydavid
Did you read that somewhere? I cannot see why there would be any pressure pushing up on the bottom pane. The weight of the water pushes down?

 

[tromblydavid]

I was just looking for the info. Don't be mad if I don't take your word on it w/o some documentation. Many things are said on these forums that are not really true. If you don't know where the documentation is then thats ok too.

 

[kraze3]

No, i didnt read it anywhere. Aquariums are made to hold the pressure of the water from inside. They are not made to take pressure up from the bottom. I think you underestimate the strength of this foam. If the bottom pane lifts even a little it could cause room for water to escape. Also putting pressure on both sides of the glass could cause a crack.

I know we dont use tuff stuff foam with our aquariums but i have seen this stuff lift a jacuzzi 1/4 full of water off the ground. Also just because I read something on the web doesnt mean I believe it either. ANyone can make a page saying anything on the net. I have heard this from many fellow reefers and it something that makes sense to me.

 

[EnglishRebel]

I don't see how you can have water exerting a downward force on the bottom glass and not have an equal force pushing up from the bottom (it's physics 101). I think what you are referring to is a tank that has a plastic rim around the bottom, sides, and top. The rim is meant to support the weight of the tank and contents. if you have a tank without a rim (a flat bottom glass/acrylic) then the foam is meant to cushion the glass/acrylic and distribute the weight evenly so there are no pressure points (especially true if the bottom is not tempered glass). Everyone does this.

 

[jnb]

I guess it is obvious to continue asking the questions until the right answers become obvious - may glass cages has a forum - it has always been my understanding that tanks should be level, not uneven footing, the tops should be flat - AND GLASS TANKS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED STRICTLY ONLY UNDER THEIR PERIMETER - I had a glass tank once and as I filled it, if I noticed any gaps between the edge and the top I shimmed the top from underneath.

I could be wrong - but you need to get the best experienced answers - or professional perhaps.

 

[tromblydavid]

What about this link:

http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=AqWarranty

It says:
All aquariums must be set up on commercially manufactured stands only. A sheet of 3/4" Styrofoam (reaching completely side-to-side and front-to-back) must be placed between the tank and the surface of the stand.

 

[tromblydavid]

another link:
http://www.concepttanks.com/warranty.htm

About setup

 

[rainingshots]

I would understand if the stand was the type where it only supported the corners by having the center hollow. But with my stand I stated it was a flat surface (i.e. ocean tech stand). I double checked by calling miracles and they said if it is a flat surface stand and because the aquarium is rimless and braceless, there has to be a full sheet of foam under the tank. My only concern right now is, would it make sense to put a full sheet of foam under the stand as well? Wouldn't that give it better support and maybe take away the few mm's of uneven floor? I know shims are good but I don't want to damage my hardwood over the long run since this tank is going to get quite heavy. It already took 5 people to lift it and we barely got it up. Super heavy.

 

[noahm]

Personally, I would just shim the stand at the gap w/the floor. I don't think foam will accomplish what you are wanting as to the floor unevenness. Just level the surface of the stand by shimming at the floor, then shim the gap(s) evenly across the floor. You can always add a trim piece around the base to cover any unsightly shim ends.

On a rimless tank, full sheet of foam under is fine.

 

[jnb]

I used the same foam that is under my acrylic tank just to take the edge off of slight imperfections between legs 2 of the legs have thin plastic pieces the same footprint as the leg to level up- - in hindsight I would have used rubber - sort of stiff, about 1/4 inch thick cut to exact lef footprint but gives a bit under 350 pounds of pressure assuming my tank, etc weights 1,400 pounds

I have been meaning to paint the foam the same color as my stand

 

[Fizz71]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14442076#post14442076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by noahm
I don't think foam will accomplish what you are wanting as to the floor unevenness.

As I was reading the whole thread I was thinking the same thing...How will foam help?

If the tank is tilted it will just mean more weight/pressure at one end and press down even MORE on the foam at that end and make it more uneven. You have to shim the support.

I shimmed my last tank a good deal, just make sure once it's level you add shims every foot or so..that way the weight isn't all on one or two shims.

Also..and I just tried this for the first time with my new tank...Don't just ram one shim under, use 2 shims pointing at each other if you have the access to both sides of the edge...that way the whole stand edge is sitting on shim, and not just the edge of the edge!