Question about leveling a 24" X 72" sump using Self Leveling Concrete

[GlassReef]

The concrete floor under my display tank is not level. This is due to the floor being poured to slant toward a drain in the middle of the fish room. My sump is 24" X 72". Water level is 9".

My question: would a 1" high base (the size of the sump footprint) using self leveling concrete be stable enough. The existing floor is concrete, so it would be a concrete to concrete bond. Anyone see any problems - perhaps cracking etc.

Thanks for any comments or tips.

 

[marioensf]

No issues at all. You could lay some fiberglass mesh or chicken wire in the cement mix to prevent cracking.

 

[mcgyvr]

Why not just shim the stand or make a wood base to create a level platform?.Thats less permanent

 

[davocean]

In my worst case scenario, 2" out of level in a 4' span, and w/ a very uneven surface that just did not really work well w/ just shims, this is what I did.

I also used heavy plastic as this was a rental, and I could not make permanent or damage floor.

It held perfect for 2 years and when I moved I just pulled it up, broke in a few pieces and threw it away, no damage to floor whatsoever.

I've done this for others too, garages that were heavily sloped and just too out to shim really.

Might be an option for you.





I probably did not really need this hardy backer board, but I had bought it just in case I could not make this smooth and level, (I'm a carpenter, not a mason) but it came out smooth and level, I just threw this down since I already had it.



Came out perfectly level, no shims needed at all, and I simply wrapped the bottom w/ base moulding to hide the ugly slab/formboards.

 

[marioensf]

That's the tank with the nice back-lit canopy, right?

In my worst case scenario, 2" out of level in a 4' span, and w/ a very uneven surface that just did not really work well w/ just shims, this is what I did.

I also used heavy plastic as this was a rental, and I could not make permanent or damage floor.

It held perfect for 2 years and when I moved I just pulled it up, broke in a few pieces and threw it away, no damage to floor whatsoever.

I've done this for others too, garages that were heavily sloped and just too out to shim really.

Might be an option for you.





I probably did not really need this hardy backer board, but I had bought it just in case I could not make this smooth and level, (I'm a carpenter, not a mason) but it came out smooth and level, I just threw this down since I already had it.



Came out perfectly level, no shims needed at all, and I simply wrapped the bottom w/ base moulding to hide the ugly slab/formboards.

 

[davocean]

That's the tank with the nice back-lit canopy, right?

Yep, that's my baby!