Can a leveling pad fix this

[Rawsreef]

Hey everyone,

I made this DIY stand for my new IM 25G lagoon and noticed a couple issues.

The stand is not leveled properly, which I plan on buying some adjustable legs to get it properly leveled.

The second issue is the tank is not sitting flat on the top plywood. I'm guessing the plywood is warped or uneven from all the sanding I did on it. See photos to get a better understanding of the issue.

Now if I were to purchase a leveling pad, yoga mat, or some type of foam and cut to size would this be structurally sound? What's the best way to go about fixing this?

 

[tbrown]

I don't think the leveling mats are meant for that big of a gap. On a frameless tank I wouldn't trust it.

 

[Solo McReefer]

What's the best way to go about fixing this?

Rebuild the stand using quality materials like 8020 aluminum

AlumFab makes stands

Tnutz sells parts

 

[Rawsreef]

I don't think the leveling mats are meant for that big of a gap. On a frameless tank I wouldn't trust it.

The alternative would be to replace the top piece of plywood with something that is perfectly leveled. Doing that should get the tank to sit flat

 

[tbrown]

The alternative would be to replace the top piece of plywood with something that is perfectly leveled. Doing that should get the tank to sit flat

I had a similar situation with my friend's tank. We ended up shoring up under the middle of the tank stand and decreasing the gap. Yours might be too short of a stand to work, but it is another option to try?

 

[toi_ss]

I would take the tank off and try to resand the plywood down to level if possible. I would use at least 6mm (1/4") neoprene under the tank

 

[Rawsreef]

Rebuilding the stand isn't an option Ill be going with. I'm looking to work with what I already got. Maybe for a future build ill be going to aluminum route.

I would take the tank off and try to resand the plywood down to level if possible. I would use at least 6mm (1/4") neoprene under the tank

I think instead of resending I'll be taking off the top plywood and replacing with a flat board of some kind, either a better quality plywood, or a plastic board or something like that. I'll also be adding a leveling mat to be safe

 

[Tamberav]

The project boards at Home Depot have always been perfectly level for me, no sanding. It’s what I put my IM 25 on

 

[Rawsreef]

The project boards at Home Depot have always been perfectly level for me, no sanding. It’s what I put my IM 25 on

Thanks for the heads up! Is this it?

 

[Rawsreef]

This might work for padding, cheap as it gets too it shows $1.07 per sqft or $384 per roll. Now I wonder if you can buy pieces of it or they only sell it by the roll

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Yes, you sort of created a bigger problem with the over zealous sanding. You can do a few things.
1. replace the plywood piece
2. use 3/4-1 inch insulation foam on top and another piece of plywood. Then wrap the edges so it is not so ugly.
3. add a edge to the plywood with a rise of at least 3/8 of a inch, then use a self leveling epoxy or cement to give you a truly level and flat surface.
With any of these methods still use a foam mat underneath the tank.

 

[Tamberav]

Thanks for the heads up! Is this it?

This is the exact one I bought, they might all be similar.

I would not use thick foam directly under the tank, foam is for imperfections in the wood like small bumps or such (that is why it comes with thin foam pre-installed), it does not support the glass in any significant way so it would add stress to all those corners hanging off like a red sea tank

 

[klc]

As has been suggested, you should probably remove the top and use a piece of 3/4 plywood. You should also use a straight edge on the stand before you put the top on and correct as necessary as plywood will conform to it's base. Once you get the top reasonably flat a yoga mat or 1/2" foam is a good idea.

 

[Rawsreef]

Yes, you sort of created a bigger problem with the over zealous sanding. You can do a few things.
1. replace the plywood piece
2. use 3/4-1 inch insulation foam on top and another piece of plywood. Then wrap the edges so it is not so ugly.
3. add a edge to the plywood with a rise of at least 3/8 of a inch, then use a self leveling epoxy or cement to give you a truly level and flat surface.
With any of these methods still use a foam mat underneath the tank.

This is the plan!

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!

 

[gbroadbridge]

Rebuilding the stand isn't an option Ill be going with. I'm looking to work with what I already got. Maybe for a future build ill be going to aluminum route.

I think instead of resending I'll be taking off the top plywood and replacing with a flat board of some kind, either a better quality plywood, or a plastic board or something like that. I'll also be adding a leveling mat to be safe

The base *must* be absolutely level to avoid structural stress on the silicon tank joints.

Replace the top using marine grade plywood and use a foam mat.

 

[jabberwock]

Yeah, seems like you realize you have to fix it. That is good. What about this? Check out your local granite countertop shops and buy a scrap cut to size? Maybe not cheap, but that would be totally flat (forever), and look incredible!

 

[BillFish Coral Lover]

I would take the tank off and try to resand the plywood down to level if possible. I would use at least 6mm (1/4") neoprene under the tank

I think 1/4” is too much, especially for this tank. I’ve read 1/8” is good enough for any tank, though it’s not a” leveling mat”. It merely disperses the weight of the tank equally to eliminate/alleviate any pressure points.

 

[Rawsreef]

I think 1/4” is too much, especially for this tank. I’ve read 1/8” is good enough for any tank, though it’s not a” leveling mat”. It merely disperses the weight of the tank equally to eliminate/alleviate any pressure points.

So I had ordered a 1/2 inch yoga mat to cut to size but after reading your comment I cancelled the order. I'll look for something 1/4 inch which should probably be more than I need but at least it's not 1/2 inch like what I originally ordered lol.


I got these leveling feet to level the cabinet.



Would gym foam tiles work for the "leveling pad" or would the yoga mat be a better choice? The gym tiles are somewhat sturdier and harder to compress (plus I already have some of these at home). I believe these tiles are about a half inch thick

 

[BristleWormHater]

IM tanks come with a pre installed leveling mat, although not a great one, but if it hasn't worked I don't think another mat will help. Like everyone said you should fix the stand.
Good luck

 

[Rawsreef]

IM tanks come with a pre installed leveling mat, although not a great one, but if it hasn't worked I don't think another mat will help. Like everyone said you should fix the stand.
Good luck

Thanks! I'm definitely going to get the stand leveled as best as possible. I want to add an extra leveling mat because like you said the one that comes with the tank is not the best. It's very thin and actually already peeled a piece off one of the corners when I was sliding the tank off my counter top.