DIY Stand Questions

[asing]

Finished my stand for the new 75 glass aquarium. I leveled the top out, which is 3/4" birch plywood, with a 4ft level as best I could. Now, I go to put the tank on top for a test fit to make sure i cut the hole right for the megaflow, and there is a gap in the middle of the tank between the black trim and the stand top. The two back corners that I can see are touching, but towards the middle its about 1/16-1/8" gap. I have a light infront of the test setup, which is how i noticed the gap in the first place and it showed thorugh. Will a 1/2" blue or pink foam sheet fix this? or does this mean i need to build a new stand?

 

[Turbosnail]

Did you check the level of the bottom of the tank? I would check that and make sure the tank isn't warped.

 

[asing]

I didnt even think about that, I just figured it was probably my carpentry skills. If it is the tank do I just call all glass for a replacement? If its the stand, would the styrofoam be a good idea? What are some opinions on the styrofoam with a rimmed glass tank?

 

[Turbosnail]

I just use the blue insulation foam board. If the tank is new never had water in it and it's warped I would see about getting a replacement.

 

[gweston]

+1 on foam between the tank and stand. Get the stand as level as you can. The foam then makes up for small variations/imperfections in the level across the length/width of the tank. I am putting in a 6' tank soon, and I anticipate foam is going to be a required. While the stand itself seems quite level, there are some slight variations along it's length.

 

[JohnK]

IIRC there are some concerns about putting a rimmed tank on foam, though I'm not exactly sure what.

I'd suggest figuring out how to get the top of the stand flat. Either the plywood is warped a bit, or the stand below it is uneven. If the stand itself is uneven, I would get in there and shim it until you get the top leveled out.

 

[asing]

During the build the stand was in my garage for atleast a month and was really cold. I think the move to my room warped the plywood a little bit. I have tried to read up on the foam issue, some people are for it and others advise against it. I just dont understand how it could be bad as long as the foam was under the whole rim. I was planning on using 1/2" foam to fix the inconsistencies, but if this cant happen with my tank, I guess its back to the drawing board. I do know that the 2x4 frame is leveled out, which is why I am guessing the plywood warped. I am just glad the temp spot had that light right in front so I noticed this before filling.

 

[JohnK]

If the frame is level/square and the plywood warped you should be able to find corresponding gaps between the frame and ply (opposite from where the gaps under the tank are).

 

[asing]

Thanks for the replies. I am not sure what the deal with the stand is as everything looks good. I am just going to rebuild and put a little more time into it to make sure its all there.