need advice... 220g setup

[geckoejon]

hello,

first, let me state that i've had 4 different reef tanks, but never over 75g...

i just purchased a new 220g 72x30x24 tank, stand, and canopy. it will be delivered next week.... i just want to set it up correctly. i have a fear of something being off, and a seam busting....

may i have some advice on....

1. leveling the stand? i live in a decent built 13yr old home and the tank is going on concrete with linoleum on ground floor... i know it's not perfectly level, but not inches off.... thoughts?

- did you all level your stands? if so, using what method?

2. should i place a pad / insulation between the tank and stand?

- did you place a pad between tank and stand? if so, what kind?

thanks!

 

[RedStangGA]

hello,

first, let me state that i've had 4 different reef tanks, but never over 75g...

i just purchased a new 220g 72x30x24 tank, stand, and canopy. it will be delivered next week.... i just want to set it up correctly. i have a fear of something being off, and a seam busting....

may i have some advice on....

1. leveling the stand? i live in a decent built 13yr old home and the tank is going on concrete with linoleum on ground floor... i know it's not perfectly level, but not inches off.... thoughts?

- did you all level your stands? if so, using what method?

2. should i place a pad / insulation between the tank and stand?

- did you place a pad between tank and stand? if so, what kind?

thanks!

Tagging along as I'm in a somewhat similar situation. Also a 220, same dimensions. Never over 60gal for me.

Mine will also be on ground floor on tile. Guess I need to break out my level and see how good/bad the floor is. I do plan on leveling the stand and hopefully need nothing more than some shims. As to how level? IMO, if I can see the difference it's too much.

Glass tank? My understanding is nothing underneath the tank. The tank should be supported around all four edges but nothing else is required. Stand obviously needs to be squared and level itself.

Hopefully you get some experienced answers as I need them too!

 

[jbvdhp]

need advice... 220g setup

When I upgraded my tank, that was the only opportunity for me to redo my flooring. I initially wanted engineered ($$$) wood or laminate ($, less time) but in this hobby and how I drop water and spill it... No way. I had to go with ceramic wood tile for the look I wanted.

I ground out the high spots on the existing old, dated tile and when it came time to install new, leveled it the best I could with more mortar, etc. the floor is not perfectly level, but the bubble doesn't stray too far inside the black lines with a leveler.

To make up for some slack (I am no engineer) I used protective floor mat stuff you'd use under gym equipment under my stand. It seems very level for me and I haven't had an issue.

I made sure my floor was level to ensure I wouldn't have a problem with my steel stand that was for sure level. My cousin who owns a sheet metal company made it for me so she ensured it was level. I didn't use leveler feet on the stand, so I had to make sure the floor was legit.

If your tank is a standard RIMMED tank, you don't need anything between it and the stand, unless you need some shims I would assume. If you have a flat bottom tank, like I do, then I used plywood under it.


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[Scythanith]

1. leveling the stand? i live in a decent built 13yr old home and the tank is going on concrete with linoleum on ground floor... i know it's not perfectly level, but not inches off.... thoughts?

- did you all level your stands? if so, using what method?

I build a tank of a stand and used plastic shims to do the final 1/4" of leveling. The concrete floor was decent to start with.

2. should i place a pad / insulation between the tank and stand?

- did you place a pad between tank and stand? if so, what kind?

If the tank has plastic trim along the outer edge I would let it rest right on the frame. If it's glass on frame then I'd put some rigid insulation foam (3/4" thickness) between the plywood top of the stand and the tank bottom.

 

[geckoejon]

thanks...

it is a glass standard 220g with a rim... i went that route for the warranty after having a 145g custom tank's seams start to split! ugh...

-- the manufacturer and the dealer actually both recommended NOT shimming / leveling the stand?!?! they both stated that the floor being a little off (1/4" or less) would not matter...

that's where i'm confused... i had always heard to shim the stand... the first customer service person i talked to stated to shim the corners... then their paperwork for the warranty and the next customer service person stated not to shim.... ???

 

[Carpentersreef]

I have my 600g on an engineeered lumber stand I built myself and leveled it with a laser level and trimmed the 6x6 legs accordingly. No styrofoam or padding. Just the acrylic tank directly on plywood. Concrete floor as well.