I have a 50 gallon tank that I just set up, and got the stand pretty dead on level. I put the tank on it and filled it just to make sure it would stay level with the weight on there pushing down on the carpet and all, and it is still perfectly level. Between the tank and the top of the stand, there are no gaps at all under the four corners or on the narrow sides of the tank, but on the front and back sides, there is a small gap that I can slide a credit card under in the middle of the tank (two cards are too tight, and one is just in there loose). Before I filled it, one was probably about 4 inches wide, and the back one was maybe 8 inches wide. After the tank was filled, I can barely slip the card under the front one, and in the back its only about 3 inches wide now. Is this acceptable? Should I just put a slim shim underneath these two sections, maybe two cards (even though that is a little too big, but one card wouldn't quite touch it)? Or should I place this tank on something? I don't have any foam or anything around, but I do have a piece of some real thin industrial grade carpet. Would that be a good idea, or am I fine just leaving it the way it is on the plywood top? I am probably worrying too much, but I just want to make sure since I read how important it is to get a level tank.
Question about tank levelness
- Thread starter jm667
- Start date
It's a good idea to have some sort of underlayment between the tank and the stand to help distribute the weight of the filled tank. I use sheets of foamboard, like you get in the office/school supply section near the posterboard. It's not expensive.
Something else you should look at is the frame of your stand. Is it homemade? What is holding the plywood up? I think if I had a stand with sagging plywood, I wouldn't trust it to hold up unless I reinforced it by screwing a 2x4 on edge, or at least a 2x2, under the plywood along the front and back edges and also reinforcing corner posts to support the 2x's from underneath. You can't be too careful with a tank stand, IMO. If your tank doesn't have good support along the front and back edge it could get messy.
Something else you should look at is the frame of your stand. Is it homemade? What is holding the plywood up? I think if I had a stand with sagging plywood, I wouldn't trust it to hold up unless I reinforced it by screwing a 2x4 on edge, or at least a 2x2, under the plywood along the front and back edges and also reinforcing corner posts to support the 2x's from underneath. You can't be too careful with a tank stand, IMO. If your tank doesn't have good support along the front and back edge it could get messy.
I built the stand with a 2x4 frame and it will hold a ton, dont worry 
The plywood is not sagging, the only reason I can think of the small gap is possibly because of the tank's frame itself. So there is no question about the stand not being supportive or not level. I am sure it is a lot better than many of the ones they sell! Maybe I will get some of that foamboard, that sounds like a good idea. Thanks.
The plywood is not sagging, the only reason I can think of the small gap is possibly because of the tank's frame itself. So there is no question about the stand not being supportive or not level. I am sure it is a lot better than many of the ones they sell! Maybe I will get some of that foamboard, that sounds like a good idea. Thanks.
If you're sure the top of your tank is level, check the frame. If it's twisted, it could end up causing a tank blowout down the road. If it's a new tank, you might be able to get a replacement, if you discover it's not 100 percent level/true.
I'd be extremely worried about a tank that sits on the stand in some places but not in others.
I'd be extremely worried about a tank that sits on the stand in some places but not in others.
Ok I just set this tank on a granite counter which I know is flat, and I have the same thing. Both sides are completely on it, and I can slide paper under the middle of the long sides (the front and back). I have come to the conclusion that my stand is fine, and I am over analyzing this. I think I will just put it on a piece of foam board or rubber mat and be done with it! Thanks for comments.