Help w/Stand

[Jilly92]

I made this stand yesterday and it's not level on top but it doesn't rock on the ground. How can I fix this?? Will 30 gallon be ok to just put on it? I was thinking maybe I can put something under corners of tank until it's level? Please help. It was my first building project.

 

[Jedi1199]

I made this stand yesterday and it's not level on top but it doesn't rock on the ground. How can I fix this?? Will 30 gallon be ok to just put on it? I was thinking maybe I can put something under corners of tank until it's level? Please help. It was my first building project.

NO!!! Do not shim under the tank itself!!!

Shim between the floor and the stand till the tank sits level.

Another option is use "Butcher block" for the top of the stand. You can buy it from Home Depot. Once you have a solid flat top, you can then shim the stand till the tank sits level..


Good luck

 

[Jilly92]

NO!!! Do not shim under the tank itself!!!

Shim between the floor and the stand till the tank sits level.

Another option is use "Butcher block" for the top of the stand. You can buy it from Home Depot. Once you have a solid flat top, you can then shim the stand till the tank sits level..


Good luck

I cut the bottoms of the legs until it sat even on the floor, but now the top is messed up. So if I place something under a leg it will wobble. I googled butcher block, I'm not sure how that will help?

 

[Mikedawg]

I would lay a piece of butcher block or other flat, strong material on top of the stand and then add shims between the stand and the butcher block until it is level. Make sure whatever you use can support the tank's weight when filled, rock and sand added. Good luck

 

[Jedi1199]

I cut the bottoms of the legs until it sat even on the floor, but now the top is messed up. So if I place something under a leg it will wobble. I googled butcher block, I'm not sure how that will help?

Butcher block is thick, flat and stable. It will not warp over time as most 3/4" surfaces can. It is also impregnated with a food grade oil that resists moisture.

The tank itself MUST sit flat on the surface. Any gaps can cause twisting which will lead to failure.

I prefer butcher block myself, but 2 pieces of 3/4" plywood, will work too. Just be sure to use a high quality marine sealant to coat any exposed surfaces to avoid moisture absorption, which can lead to warping. Another benefit of Butcher block is, since it is a solid wood, you wont need to treat the edges to hide the ugly plywood edges.

 

[X-37B]

I use 1 piece of 3/4" plywood on all my systems. I seal it with a varathane marine sealant.

Pic #2 looks as if the top pieces of wood are not even.
Have you tried setting the tank on it?
If the tank does not sit flat on all 4 surfaces then the stand is off.

If its off you could add a 3/4" plywood top and shim under the plywood to make it level.

If the gap is more than a credit card thick I would not try and shim it.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Top the stand with 3/4 plywood and if need be, shim the plywood to level it up. But as stated, do not shim the tank.

The one other concern I have is that it looks like the top frame of the stand is attached to the legs portion by some sort of fastener....maybe screws or nails. The issue with this is that the weight of the tank is being supported by the fastener and not being directly transferred to the floor. This can easily be remedied by adding four more legs to the left and right side in this photo:

So that the these new legs are under the top frame and go directly to the top portion of the lower frame. The weight is now being transferred without the screws/nails holding the weight. Hope this make sense.

 

[Jilly92]

My carpenter uncle finally called back and suggested I unscrew and lift up the corner and that fixed it! Thanks for the help though guys.

 

[Reefin’ Rumors]

Put stand in it’s location...get a 2’ level and check the top 2x4’s one by one and whatever side is not level unscrew the fasteners on back side of bad corner...adjust till level and refasten. By the way! You did a pretty good job for a first project. Nice!!

 

[Jilly92]

Put stand in it’s location...get a 2’ level and check the top 2x4’s one by one and whatever side is not level unscrew the fasteners on back side of bad corner...adjust till level and refasten. By the way! You did a pretty good job for a first project. Nice!!

Thank you! That's what I had to do for fix

 

[Jedi1199]

20+ years as a custom cabinetmaker.. what do I know? lol

 

[Jilly92]

20+ years as a custom cabinetmaker.. what do I know? lol

Good advice, but butcher block I wouldve been out 200$ lol

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

There are many ways to skin a cat. Glad it's working.

No be sure to check level after your equipment is on it and with 8 to 10 in of water in it and again full. New wood stands are prone to settling a bit.

 

[Jedi1199]

Good advice, but butcher block I wouldve been out 200$ lol

Fair enough.. trade off is, anything that will destroy it, will destroy the house around it as well.. lol

 

[Jilly92]

Fair enough.. trade off is, anything that will destroy it, will destroy the house around it as well.. lol

Eh I'm confident with 30 gallon that will suffice

 

[Jilly92]

There are many ways to skin a cat. Glad it's working.

No be sure to check level after your equipment is on it and with 8 to 10 in of water in it and again full. New wood stands are prone to settling a bit.

Ok will do!