Need advice... Acrylic tank on DIY stand.

[DB junkie]

I built a stand for my new 300. My question is what do I put in between the tank and stand?

Right now I have styro directly on top of the stand to absorb any imperfections (stand is built out of 2 by 6s). On top of the styro I have a sheet of plywood, then the tank. Do I need to sandwich the plywood with styro or am I crazy to even think that?

This is my first big acrylic tank and the sucker wasn't cheap..... Would like some advice as to exactly how it should be set up.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance.....

 

[Ajno]

I would switch it around. Have the plywood then the styro then the tank. How thick is the plywood? Congrats on the new tank!

 

[VLDesign]

I would assume the top of the tank where the tank sits on is all 2x6s?

This is how the tanks were you are picking up this weekend with a sheet of foam on top of the 2x6s then the tank.. No plywood.

If the plywood is for added strength then it should go on the bottom, then the foam, then tank.

Rich

 

[DB junkie]

Yes the top plate of the strand is all 2by 6s. LOL Sandwiched 2x6s (basically 4 by 6s now)

Just thought the plywood should be directly under the tank since the tank is thinner on the bottom then any of the other 5 sides. So I figured it would be safest that way.... I started with the ply directly on the stand but with imperfections in the stand I thought the foam NEEDED to be there to make up for them.

My brother was helping me with this, as we had it both ways...... If there were papers there to have me committed he would have signed them. He just finally screamed at me "It don't friggin matter!! I'm not moving it again."

I'll admit I'm paranoid.... Just want to be 100% sure.... Tenecors aren't cheap..LOL

 

[VLDesign]

Tenecors aren't cheap..LOL

Amen..

 

[Egon]

Yes the top plate of the strand is all 2by 6s. LOL Sandwiched 2x6s (basically 4 by 6s now)

Just thought the plywood should be directly under the tank since the tank is thinner on the bottom then any of the other 5 sides. So I figured it would be safest that way.... I started with the ply directly on the stand but with imperfections in the stand I thought the foam NEEDED to be there to make up for them.

My brother was helping me with this, as we had it both ways...... If there were papers there to have me committed he would have signed them. He just finally screamed at me "It don't friggin matter!! I'm not moving it again."

I'll admit I'm paranoid.... Just want to be 100% sure.... Tenecors aren't cheap..LOL

Acrylic tanks need the bottom support for sure. Glass tanks don't. My tank has 1/2 inch sheet on the bottom and the rest is 3/4". I use 3/4" plywood on top of my stand to support the tank. I didn't use Styrofoam or anything else, just the plywood. It seems to be working fine, it's been up for over a year with out issues. When I first put the tank on the stand I noticed at the bottom near the middle of the tank there was a gap between the plywood and the tank. I used a few "wedges" that window or door installers would use and wedged the plywood up to the tank. I just pounded these wedges in-between the 2X4 and the plywood until the plywood made contact with the stand. Filled the tank and it is working fine (holding water). I honestly don't think the Styrofoam would of helped me in my situation, it just doesn't seem to compress like you think it would? Anyway my .02, good luck

 

[DB junkie]

My issue is where I sandwiched the 2 by 6s there are slight differences. Guessing maybe a 1/16th.

I guess I could just spend a day on it with a belt sander and 60 grit for peace of mind..... I have no problem doing that. It's allready turned into a 2 month project. What's another month? LOL I just don't want to do this if it isn't necassary.

 

[DB junkie]

Amen..

And I don't even have an overbuilt one.....

Mines just 1/2 inch..... And used. And patched. Can't imagine the cost of a BRAND new one.....

 

[DB junkie]

Any one else have any input???