Please show pics of your 180 tanks

I'm no expert Jarhed, but I would get it al level as possible without shims. Hanging joists shouldn't be a problem as long as they are strong enough to carry the weight to the corners. As you said these are the main points of load. But as you know glass has no flex and is brittle (strong but brittle) and more importantly the glass joints can seperate if there is torque as you probably know. I guess it depends on how much your having to shim, but if it's more than 1/8-1/4" I would definately replace the plywood. I've never had any significant gap in any stand I've owned for what that is worth.
Again I'm no expert, but it's about sleeping at night, and you don't want to worry about the seams coming undune on your tank! JMHO!
Hope you have someone with expertise give you an answer, you may want to post in another forum or two just to get more opinions faster! Good luck
 
Thanks for the reply Cediss!

I think I'm going to pull all of the shims and get some help pulling the tank off the stand, then run a straight edge over the plywood. If it's too warped, I'll just pull it (FUN FUN!!!), which means pulling the corner bead on two sides, then pulling all of the plywood screws, grab another sheet and try again. I'll shim up the plywood if needed underneath the plywood.

I'm just not happy seeing gaps underneath the tank frame. I did find gaps underneath the corners too. Not happy about that. If I could confirm it's just warping in the plywood causing it on the empty tank, it shouldnt be a huge issue because the weight of the tank with water will press those back down and true.

Then again, it could be the corner bead I have on the bottom because the tank frame is actually resting on that. If the bead is just uneven, it'll hold the empty tank up at points, but should compress when I put water in it. The tank sat flat before I put the bead on there.

Boy, what a pain! :mad2:
 
The first thing you need to make sure of is that the base you have below the plywood top is completely straight, flat and level. If the base is right even a slightly warped piece of plywood should pull down to the base and be prfectly straight and level. It is not unusual for plywood to be slightly warped but you should be able to pull that out if you screw it down in the right pattern.
 
Thanks tgrunewald!

Ya know, when I set the stand in place, it was perfectly level. Then when I put the tank on the plywood, the tank was completely level and sat flat, except for a small gap in the center back of the tank.

I just put up the drywall and the corner beads and pushed the tank back to it's original place. Now it's uneven. I think it's probably the bead. Either that or the plywood warped more because of drying. I did get it from HD and most HD wood is wet when you pick it up. I'm going to remove the shims and push the tank back tonight, then pull the corner beads underneath the front and side of the tank frame.
 
JB NY said:
Here is mine from a few years ago, you can see how I did the rockwork back then. Now it's mostly corals covering the rockwork.
full_0106.jpg
Click to expand...


JB NY, you would have a closer shot of your rockwork, would you? I'm interested in what you have done with the middle "bridge type" thing cause it looks awesome!
 
Here is a closer shot from a few months later. the middle is a few pieces of large tonga branch. One piece on the top and another on the bottom.

092902_middle.jpg
 
Well April the first thing was holes for the closed loop but what I have should be ok I guess. Next I wish I would of washed that sand first I should know better :rolleyes: It wasn't live sand that's still to come didn't really want to dish out all that cash for all live sand I figure to get 50 to 100 pounds yet. I am sure I will think of some other stuff yet too ,,, LOL.
 
Hey everyone! How is wverything going? jarhed, I'm sorry about the warped board! I'm glad you took the tank off. you deffinatly would have been sorry if you had filled it up and the tank cracked, would have been too much stress on it for sure. Did you get it leveled out?

And Joe, what a beautiful tank! I love all the color, Its really great!

Mike, how goes your tank? did you get it all cleared up yet? I would like to see it from the front. I like the in walls.
I got the new overflow, but havent figured out yet how to plumb it in yet! Had the son in law over tonight to give him an idea on what I needed, but I cant grasp all of the fancy plumbing you all have. I think he is going to have to look at what you guys have and maybe he can figure it out! lol

And I tried to do some scaping in the tank a couple of days ago, and one of the sides started falling down. I cant keep the rocks stack and them not falling over. I think I may have covered my scallop and I'm not sure about the urchin either. I think I made a bad move!
 
Hi April,

Actually, I didnt take it off. I shimmed it in a few small areas, specifically one corner. I took off the corner bead that would have sat under the tank frame. It's as straight as it gets now. those little shims come in handy!

I'm sure once I get the tank filled, I'll be shimming again, but under the frame instead of the tank at that point. As it's filling I'll be checking level every 20-30 gallons.

On another note, I've been finishing the drywall. Have the AC limping along until I get a new unit installed next week. taping and mudding. Oh fun!! :mad2: :mad2:
 
YUCK!!!! I hate the sanding and the filling, then the sanding then the filling! and then the sanding and sanding, and sanding!!!!!!! Just dont forget to wear a mask of some kind! Dont want you to get sick! I cant wait to see it finished! And I KNOW you cant either, are you sure the shims are going to be strong enough to support the low spots?
 
Still there somewhat. I got my filterbags in today to try to clean it up however these things are HUGE. I'm having my mother-in-law cut them in half and resew them. Should be here today.
 
April540 said:
YUCK!!!! I hate the sanding and the filling, then the sanding then the filling! and then the sanding and sanding, and sanding!!!!!!! Just dont forget to wear a mask of some kind! Dont want you to get sick! I cant wait to see it finished! And I KNOW you cant either, are you sure the shims are going to be strong enough to support the low spots?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have a mask, just dont know where it is. :p Seriously, I sand pretty slowly so as not to blow dust all over the room. Not really worried about getting sick, it's the sneezing that drives me nuts. :D

Yeah, the shims will support the low spots fine. They are made out of a hardwood and are used in construction regularly. I've seen them crammed under walls and huge cabinetry on construction sites where I was a laborer.
 
Jason, see if your mother in law has some batting, you can line the filter bag, or put it over the filter bag, for a while to help filter out the water. It helps quite a bit. Or if you have a Magnum canister, you can use the micro filter on it too. Is it clearing up at all yet?
 
jarhed how are you comming along with yours? Still mudding? God love ya! I know that all of the prep stuff is getting to you a little, but you can do it! Smile!!!! Soon you will be watching all of the pretty live stock and will be sooooooo proud of what you have achieved. And we will be too! I promise
 
mako56 said:
Well April the first thing was holes for the closed loop but what I have should be ok I guess. Next I wish I would of washed that sand first I should know better :rolleyes: It wasn't live sand that's still to come didn't really want to dish out all that cash for all live sand I figure to get 50 to 100 pounds yet. I am sure I will think of some other stuff yet too ,,, LOL.
Click to expand...
Hey! There is something else you may want to consider, I have been reading about the light defusers that look like grids,they go on the bottom of the tank, you can push them into the sand, they help hold the rock in place. I thinki I may try it on the side that my rock keeps sliding around on. I think it may also be good for the nitrate bacteria to set up in. Just an idea, It isnt that expensive either.
 
Ok April heres a pic of the light hood I put together. It slides on a track so I can move it away from the tank.
31094Internet_066.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

DjPhato
Aiptasia or Zoas?
Replies
11
Views
287
DjPhato
DjPhato
JCOLE
Does anyone have any established sand/rock they can spare?
Replies
5
Views
191
Reefing102
Reefing102
DjPhato
Back to the future…
Replies
7
Views
421
Reefing102
Reefing102
DjPhato
LifeRock dry CaribSea or MarcoRock coralline?
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
shred5
shred5
griss
Visit With Nanook
Replies
6
Views
178
Sugar Magnolia
Sugar Magnolia
Back
Top