Gap between tank and stand

[Jimbo662]

After leveling the tank / stand with shims I noticed there's a gap between the tanks and the stand on one corner. Sliding a piece of paper in it I can slide it about 10" across the back and about 8" back to front. I folded the paper in half twice and tried again. This time it would only go about 5" across the back and 3-4" back to front. Is this much of a gap something to be worried about? When leveling everything I may have at most raised the stand about 1/8 - 3/16". I shimmed in 4 spots on the front and 5 spots on the back to make sure the stand was supported all the way across.

 

[glb]

After leveling the tank / stand with shims I noticed there's a gap between the tanks and the stand on one corner. Sliding a piece of paper in it I can slide it about 10" across the back and about 8" back to front. I folded the paper in half twice and tried again. This time it would only go about 5" across the back and 3-4" back to front. Is this much of a gap something to be worried about? When leveling everything I may have at most raised the stand about 1/8 - 3/16". I shimmed in 4 spots on the front and 5 spots on the back to make sure the stand was supported all the way across.

How wide is the gap?

 

[Scott.h]

It depends on the size of the tank and what kind of a tank, but yes. If you plan on having it up for years with the chance of it causing a problem after a few years, I'd absolutely take care of it now.

When I made mine, under the frame itself I put a layer of foam under the top plywood sheet that the tank sits on. The foam is about 3" wide and 1/4" thick. Then trimmed. It's what they use around door frames of houses and windows. And on top of poured basement walls to separate the concrete from the wood. It will help even out the weight distribution.

This is my sump, but I did the same here

 

[Jimbo662]

How wide is the gap?

At the corner it's 1/8". I had a 1/8" neoprene mat under the tank but thought it was causing the gap so I took it out.

 

[Jimbo662]

It's a Planet Aquarium tank. Foot print is 5' x 2'.

 

[Jimbo662]

What about putting a piece of the padding under the triangular area?

 

[glb]

What about putting a piece of the padding under the triangular area?

Agreed. You don’t want to leave that gap. It could strain the corner of the tank. It should be easy to fix.

 

[Jimbo662]

Agreed. You don’t want to leave that gap. It could strain the corner of the tank. It should be easy to fix.

That'll be a much easier and quicker solution

 

[Jimbo662]

Looking at it just now the gap is only 1/16".

 

[glb]

Looking at it just now the gap is only 1/16".

I’d still fix it. It’s easy to do now and could save you a headache later.

 

[Jimbo662]

Think I should put the padding back under the entire tank or just the corner?

 

[rainmaker]

Think I should put the padding back under the entire tank or just the corner?

Under the entire tank I would use at least 1/2 thick styrofoam

 

[Jimbo662]

Under the entire tank I would use at least 1/2 thick styrofoam

Do you mean like foam board?

 

[Jimbo662]

Under the entire tank I would use at least 1/2 thick styrofoam

Or like this?
https://www.austinkayak.com/products/1137/Closed-Cell-Foam-12in-x-24in-x-12in.html

 

[rainmaker]

Yes get it at Lowe’s or homedepot 3/4 in or 1/2

 

[rainmaker]

It will be in a 4 by 8 ft sheet just cut to fit

 

[Jimbo662]

It will be in a 4 by 8 ft sheet just cut to fit

Nice... thanks

 

[rainmaker]

If you can see this it’s under my tank that’s back of tank

 

[Jimbo662]

This morning when I went into the garage to leave I saw this sitting against the wall...I'd bought it to put on the floor of the uhaul van when I transported the tank home. I assume this would work? I can color the edges black with a marker.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Common-0-5...ced-Polystyrene-Foam-Board-Insulation/3014183

 

[bean2986]

This morning when I went into the garage to leave I saw this sitting against the wall...I'd bought it to put on the floor of the uhaul van when I transported the tank home. I assume this would work? I can color the edges black with a marker.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Common-0-5...ced-Polystyrene-Foam-Board-Insulation/3014183

That’s the foam board they are referring to. Make sure you verify the imperfection is in the stand and not the tank. I recently bought a custom tank and it was the metal frame that wasn’t level.

Just make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions when troubleshooting like this, especially if the tank is new. If you have a warranty you could void it by not supporting the tank properly.