DIY cinderblock stand for 320- good idea?

[easydoesit]

Do you think it would be better to just make a quick cinder block stand, or would a 2x6(or 2x4) DIY stand be a better idea?

The thing is, this tank is going on my basement. The floors are concrete, but theyre not completely even or level..
Theres small lumps and bumps on the floor.

What can I do about the bumpity floor? Would it effect the strength of my stand? Would a cinder block stand be a good idea, or would the DIY wood stand be a better idea?

 

[dogofwar]

What are the dimensions of the tank?

How far are you planning to span the stacks of blocks? If you're going over 4 feet, I'd go with 2x6's... and add a sheet of styro between the stand and the tank.

All of the tanks in my fishroom are on cinderblock and 2X4/6 stands.

 

[amehel0]

to level out the floor lay a slab a bit larger then the foot print of the stand. cinder blocks are great cheap and strong but usually sump filters are out of the question and there harder to level out.

 

[easydoesit]

The footprint of the tank is 8'x2'
If I was going to do a cinderblock stand, I was going to have it about 4 blocks high with 2 rows of blocks on the ends..
In the middle i was going to have the cinderblocks on the sides.. w/ the sump in between the cinderblocks(sump is about 12" wide) under the tank... w a layer of 2x6s on the top and some styro or padding between the tank and wood.
Does this sound like a good plan or does the tank need more support in the middle?
Maybe I could make the sump behind the tank instead of directly under it.

Lay a slab to level the floor.. like build a quick frame w/ 2x4s that is a bit bigger than the tank footprint.. and fill it up with cement, level it and let it harden?

 

[Harrison]

dude
today i built a stand for 125 gal . it is 2 stacks, like giant cube-lookin' things, 12 bricks each with a 20 gal sump that fits neatly in between these stacks. 2'' boards will be between these and the tank and i am really hoping that holds. the reason i am kickin out my old stand cause of a leak, and plus the stank was that throw-together clapboard crap and this feels like much better sleep at nite to me.

 

[easydoesit]

sounds good, thats what i feel like too.. i want to build a stand that i KNOW will hold or else ill be all anxious/paranoid or whatever whenever i think about it or see it.

do you guys with cinder block stands just use the regular 8x8x16" blocks?
theres a bunch of stuff at home depot.. all different sized cinderblocks. there's also just these full blocks of concrete that i think i might be more sturdy/safe? idk.

does anyone have pics of their cinder block stands?

 

[easydoesit]

okay. well..
i guess im just going to get a piece of styro.. 8'x2'. for over the styro im going to build a wood structure out of 2x4s so that the cinder blocks will have an even surface to sit on. hopefully that will work.

 

[amehel0]

get 2 4x2 peices a hella load cheaper.

make a wooden framed top with corss bracing then lay that on the cinders so the centre is supported.then on top of the frame lay ply then styro!

 

[easydoesit]

im gonna do the styro on the floor. over the styro im going to do a flat structure w/ 2x4s so that the cinder blocks will go on even.
over this "wood structure" im going to put the cinder blocks.. 4 stacks(maybe more) spread thruout the 8 ft. im going to put the sump behind the tank, since this is a temp. set up anyways.
over the cinder blocks, im going to have some 2x4s or 2x6s, and over this another layer of styro will go.
then, the tank.

i cant really explain it good.. especially the "wood structure" but ill put up pics once this is done. ill be able to get it done this week, hopefully.

i do have 1 more question, if someone could answer it(PLEASE). actually.. 2 maybe:

-should i use regular 8x8x16" cinder blocks, or should i use the full cement blocks?
-if i use the cinder blocks, should i stack them so the flat part shows(wont see any holes) or do it the other way, so the holes will be visible?

 

[carcrazy]

I was thinking of doing the exact same thing with a 270g tank (6' x 3' footprint). I was going to use canister filters instead of a sump and only stack the blocks 4 high, doubled on the ends like you suggested. I am also curious about which is the best way to lay the blocks. Anyone want to help us out?