DIY Base gone wrong? Help plz before big crack

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descarte8

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 16, 2012
5
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UK NE
Built my own base for my 300cm tank, I knew the floor sloped to the right, I seem to have compensated for this slightly, but not evenly.

Breeze block base with 2 x 150cm lintels on top to give (what I thought) a perfect flat finish. The base still slopes a bit, I can handle that, trouble it the mid point where the 2 lintels meet there is a change in slope, quite a big one, i think.

tank.jpg

Base is 12mm glass, question is do you think this change in angle will cause the glass to break? Tank is in place (not filled yet) and I will struggle to move it or alter the surface (got a broken arm atm and live remote).

I know better safe than sorry but any experienced big tank/base builders, tolerances or informed opinions welcomed.

Cheers in advance

Des

tank.jpg
 
Not an expert by any means but if the slope is uneven then you'll have a pressure point where it starts to get steeper. Since its still empty now is really your last chance to correct that. That is a long tank and the longer the tank the mover leverage pushing down on that uneven point. Can you try adding some shims to even it out? its important that whatever you do to even it out that you do it evenly across the whole tank. Especially if you dont plan on emptying the tank for years...
 
I really doubt the glass would crack on a regular tank from the uneven base. BUT I think it would be highly likely that a tank would blow a seal causing a catastrophic failure from an uneven base.

Do it right, make a perfectly flat pad for your tank to sit on!
 
Why not build a regular a stand and use shims under the stand? That way you don't have that cockamemy contraption that can only be used in one specific location in your house.
 
Industrial leveling feet on each post...That's what I did and it worked out beautifully.

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Had a builder in today, suggested a base of concrete beneath the 3m kitchen worktop to level it out, fingers crossed they do a good job!

Will let you know when its filled with water (with pics!)
 
jcardona1 said:
Why not build a regular a stand and use shims under the stand? That way you don't have that cockamemy contraption that can only be used in one specific location in your house.
Click to expand...

this and having one continuous surface is always better than having two combined. If you must do this, at least have sheets of continuous plywood under the entire tank to relieve the potential stress points.
 
I have three very large 260, 360 & 150 gallon tanks in my garage that all slope to one side. I'm unsure on the grade or slope difference but it makes a few inches differance in the water level from one side of the tank to the other. I have had all these tanks up and running for over a year and no brakes or problems... I would spend the time to level them out if I weren't just renting but since it's temporary I live with it.
 
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