Help with shims!

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MonsterFishCreeper

MonsterFishCreeper

Candiru
MFK Member
Sep 30, 2015
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Ok so the metal frame in this picture is seriously bowed. I planned to shim between the plywood and the metal frame to bring the plywood up so that it touches the tank frame.

The problem is that with the tank empty, putting the shims in enough to bring the plywood up to the tank tends to just lift the whole plywood top up and I end up with a plywood top totally proped up on shims not touching the stand anywhere.

There's only two options here and I'm stumped.

Option A - fill the tank part way up with no shims and a visible gap in the middle of the tank then shim under the wood now that the weight of the tank will cause the wood to bend to where it needs to be instead of moving the whole tank.

Option B- just shim between the plywood and the tank so that there are only short areas not making contact.

I'm really stumped and want to leak test this thing tonight!
 
I have no shims between my tank and stand which is a 180g and there is a 1/8 gap in the center. It's been like that for 4 years and previously from the person I bought it from so I have no worries. What thickness is this tank?
 
Y not put a support under the metal going to either the floor or the bottom part of the stand?...to straighten out the bow
 
image.jpeg

Yeah my gap is about the same. Maybe I'll just fill it like it is then shim under the plywood so it touches. All four corners are supported. The glass is thick for a 75 gallon. I think it's a Deep Blue tank.

I would rather build a new stand Before adding supports to this one other than putting in shims. I just want to at least leak check it on this stand before I buy/build anything for the tank. I got the tank for free so if it leaks I'm just going to give it away and invest my time/money in another tank.

I just read something saying that glass tanks only need to be supported on the 4 corners. Can anyone confirm this with confidence?
 
Now I'm kinda wondering if filling the tank will make that center brace bow up some by the weight being on the outer edges frame. This whole thing is irritating. I would hate to have the tank busy during the leak test.
 
If it is a glass tank with a rim, all four corners are level, and at the same height you'll be fine without the shims. There are people out there who just use cinderblocks under each end. I wouldn't go that route myself, but I've seen it done. I'd skid the shims, you are probably creating more trouble for yourself than it is worth.
 
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