Stand on ueven stone suface

[Ryagon]

In the planning stages of my 125 build. I just bought a new to me house that had a rear porch that was enclosed. Being a brick and stone room with nice view of the back yard would make a great aquarium and dog room. Unfortunately the floor is pretty uneven stone. I was considering putting some foam or a thick rubber mat of some sort under the stand (Aqueon 125 gallon 6' stand) but my parents think this will cause the foam to eventually stick to the sealed stone and stain it. What are people putting under these to make it even or would shimming it be an acceptable enough option?

I did try searching the forums but I must not be using the right word combo because I can't find anything except putting foam between the stand and tank.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

How about a thick sheet of plywood?

 

[Ryagon]

You know it's the simplest solutions that elude us some times.

 

[Sk8r]

ALso possible some of those refrigerator leveler screw feet....

 

[IdahoCindy]

We shimmed our 125. No trouble for years.

 

[homerclease]

You could put the foam down like you planned..just put a piece of plastic down before the foam...the will protect the floor

 

[pisanoal]

One concern for the foam/rubber would be uneven settling which could cause the tank to be out of level. You might consider plastic/rubber/plywood/stand. Plywood would help distribute the weight evenly along the matt.

 

[neiltus]

Greetings from west on 20

Depending on the stand, I would just shim it and be done. Those composite shims can take a pretty decent load.

NOW...

Having said that, under that rock work is there slab? How much? Or did they rock over a concrete pad?

 

[Ryagon]

Greetings from west on 20

Depending on the stand, I would just shim it and be done. Those composite shims can take a pretty decent load.

NOW...

Having said that, under that rock work is there slab? How much? Or did they rock over a concrete pad?

It was the concrete foundation poured with the main house. This house was built like a tank, even the walls are concrete.

 

[neiltus]

There are some composite shims available at home depot/lowes. Don't use cedar for this application. Get a level that is at least 4' to check the tank, don't use one of those silly plumber levels.

 

[Walla2GSP]

I would have to research it out, but they make a steel bracket with 1/2" and 5/8" threaded feet that you could mount in each corner of a 2x4 frame then screw a sheet of 1/2" or 3/4" ply on top of to set the tank stand on. This is what i would do in that situation.

 

[billdogg]

Shims are your friend. I wouldn't use anything else at all. IMHO, anything else is just asking for trouble

 

[neiltus]

and if shims don't work, some light chisel work will float out a section.

 

[Ryagon]

Thanks for the tips guys, some great advice here. As far as composite shims vs cedar. It that due to compression over time or to do with being potentially wet?

 

[neiltus]

Thanks for the tips guys, some great advice here. As far as composite shims vs cedar. It that due to compression over time or to do with being potentially wet?

Either or.

I used cedar shims when I re-did my current house on all the windows and doors. Why, because they snap off easier than the composite vs cutting them off. Cedar is prone to splitting with use and I would moreso trust the composite ones in a humid environment under x number of pounds (I don't use cedar for other than temporary load bearing).

If you REALLY wanted to overdo it. you could get a belt sander and float the stone where you wanted to set the tank. Laticrete also makes some interesting and bomb proof self leveling floor products-I have used them in the past-don't remember their names.

You mentioned that the rear porch was enclosed...is it a 'sun room' or a room where you get a ton of natural light? That might be a factor in tank placement because we all know algae loves sunlight.

I would settle on a tank, put the stand in place and see what the level tells me before I started doing any of the above.

 

[Ryagon]

It is a sun room but where the tank is located there is never direct sunlight on it at anytime throughout the day. If for some reason it is an issue it would just be one end and I will paint it black. Sanding the stone is a bit extreme for me or the wife especially if I ever move it. I will start with shimming and see how well that works.