Gap between tank and steel stand

[robroy]

So I got a new Aqueon 180G tank delivered yesterday. Its placed on a steel stand.
Empty I've noticed a small gap at the front of the tank between the plastic trim and the steel stand. The back, sides and all corners sit flush with the stand. Its just the majority of the front length that theres a small gap-I can easily place a credit card and run it along the length of the tank until the last 8-10" when the card gets stuck

I realise its probably very difficult to get a steel stand totally level (the tank is level on the floor btw).

Is this normal with steel stands or should I perhaps place a sheet of plywood underneath the tank trim to ensure its even. It's giving me nightmares to be honest and I'm anxious about filling it

Any pointers greatly appreciated

 

[JK47]

So I got a new Aqueon 180G tank delivered yesterday. Its placed on a steel stand.
Empty I've noticed a small gap at the front of the tank between the plastic trim and the steel stand. The back, sides and all corners sit flush with the stand. Its just the majority of the front length that theres a small gap-I can easily place a credit card and run it along the length of the tank until the last 8-10" when the card gets stuck

I realise its probably very difficult to get a steel stand totally level (the tank is level on the floor btw).

Is this normal with steel stands or should I perhaps place a sheet of plywood underneath the tank trim to ensure its even. It's giving me nightmares to be honest and I'm anxious about filling it

Any pointers greatly appreciated

Peace of mind is important, if it makes you sleep at night put a sheet of ply down. I think I would too. It will even put the support and make up for any variations in the stand build.

Do not put styrofoam under a glass tank

 

[DN328]

Do not put styrofoam under a glass tank

Assuming it isn't rimless ;-)

 

[robroy]

Peace of mind is important, if it makes you sleep at night put a sheet of ply down. I think I would too. It will even put the support and make up for any variations in the stand build.

Do not put styrofoam under a glass tank

thanks for the reply JK-I know not to put Styrofoam down as it has a plastic trim . Think I'm going to go safe and get a sheer of plywood. What thickness would you recommend? 3/4"?

 

[DN328]

Yes, 3/4" is fine and what I use too. If you care for how the platform looks underneath the steel stand, you can use 3/4" medium density overlay plywood. It has a really smooth finish that looks nice painted too but not neccessary to paint.

 

[robroy]

Yes, 3/4" is fine and what I use too. If you care for how the platform looks underneath the steel stand, you can use 3/4" medium density overlay plywood. It has a really smooth finish that looks nice painted too but not neccessary to paint.

Thanks DN for the suggestion-peace of mnd matters to me so I'm going to go with the plywood

 

[JK47]

Yes, 3/4" is fine and what I use too. If you care for how the platform looks underneath the steel stand, you can use 3/4" medium density overlay plywood. It has a really smooth finish that looks nice painted too but not neccessary to paint.

Great suggestion. I hadn’t thought about finish. The kind I use is not as nice a finish when painted as the medium density would

 

[JK47]

Assuming it isn't rimless ;-)

I knew it wasn’t acrylic or rimless he mentioned plastic trim. Is that a real thing? Rimless are supposed to have styro? Legit question - I didn’t know that

 

[DN328]

I knew it wasn’t acrylic or rimless he mentioned plastic trim. Is that a real thing? Rimless are supposed to have styro? Legit question - I didn’t know that

Yup, you suggested right...I just through in the disclaimer ;-)

As far as what I learned talking to my glass tank builder and the internet, it is advised to use styrofoam on glass tanks that do NOT have the plastic trim. This usually implies a tank that is "rimless" and is eurobraced.

I use 1/2" R-tech brand at HD. Given its intended use that stuff is moisture and mildew proof too. Im told 1/2" crushes better and thicker isnt better for the tank. I was told to place on top of the plywood.

 

[DN328]

Great suggestion. I hadn’t thought about finish. The kind I use is not as nice a finish when painted as the medium density would

Yeah, I ended up painting mine so that it's smooth and white underneath the metal stand where every else is essentially white too. I thought it would help protect a bit too. But that's just me and it all functions just the same.