Next point - tank levelling

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

So I've built the stand, it's big and heavy, and it sits right across a hump in the floor (almost an inch play side to side). At 2500 pounds, am I ok to use wooden shims on the corners (can't reach back edge once in place) or should I look at great levelling?
I thought of framing in the area and pouring some quick set on plastic to create a mini slab, but that might crack at the edges and be bad....

thoughts?

Really depends on the type of stand you have built, got pics?

[MitchM]

It does depend on the stand construction, but also on the floor.
I am assuming that this is an older home with maybe douglas fir floor joists, a 3/4" subfloor and 3/4" hardwood flooring material.
Is the hump from the subfloor and floor finish material? Or is the hump from a crown in the floor joist? Is the hump stable? Does it creak if you stand or jump on it? If the hump isn't stable, anything you pour on it now will surely crack once weight is put on it.
If the hump is from the hardwood flooring and subfloor only, the tank setup may level itself.
If the hump is from a floor joist, then even 2500 lbs won't straighten that out and you will need to shim.
If the stand is built with bottom plates on edge, then you could be fine with relying on 3 points of support - the hump plus shimming on each end.
If the the stand is built with bottom plates on flat, then shimming in numerous places under the stand would be recommended.

Lots of "if's". Pics of the stand, floor area from above and below would help. Hopefully you can see the underside of the floor from the basement.

Mitch

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by MitchM

It does depend on the stand construction, but also on the floor.
I am assuming that this is an older home with maybe douglas fir floor joists, a 3/4" subfloor and 3/4" hardwood flooring material.
Is the hump from the subfloor and floor finish material? Or is the hump from a crown in the floor joist? Is the hump stable? Does it creak if you stand or jump on it? If the hump isn't stable, anything you pour on it now will surely crack once weight is put on it.
If the hump is from the hardwood flooring and subfloor only, the tank setup may level itself.
If the hump is from a floor joist, then even 2500 lbs won't straighten that out and you will need to shim.
If the stand is built with bottom plates on edge, then you could be fine with relying on 3 points of support - the hump plus shimming on each end.
If the the stand is built with bottom plates on flat, then shimming in numerous places under the stand would be recommended.

Lots of "if's". Pics of the stand, floor area from above and below would help. Hopefully you can see the underside of the floor from the basement.

Mitch

Older home, no idea what type of construction (finished basement with tenant). Hump is pretty solid, assuming due to settling and such. Hump is simply part of a wave that spans the room, but solid, no squeaks or movement. Stand is 2x4 construction, bottom plates on edge, although bottom skinned with 1/2" ply. I have a wall below the tank with a framed closet, so pretty sure joists won't sag under weight.

[MitchM]

Finished floor...wood, tile, lino..?

Mitch

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by MitchM

Finished floor...wood, tile, lino..?

Mitch

Laminate over basic foam underlay.

[Aquattro]

My stnad is basically designed after this

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1169964

although I used 2x4 on top, with one centered brace in rear and two at 3rds in front. Plywood bottom and a false 6" back added to hide plumbing.

[golf nut]

Sounds like the best way would be to add 1/2 plates to each end of the stand to clear the hump, then shim the hump area.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by golf nut

Sounds like the best way would be to add 1/2 plates to each end of the stand to clear the hump, then shim the hump area.

Kinda like legs on the corners?

[globaldesigns]

Personally, if it isn't off that much, I wouldn't worry, but otherwise I think wooden shims would work. Only problem is that maybe they can deteriate over time from weight, water, etc.

My tank is off just a bit, but I never adjusted. It was perfectly level when put in place, but after time with water it is off a bit, just slightly. If you look hard you can see it. I use a level quite often to keep tabs on it, as it is on a second floor of my home, and it has never moved. Using the level, the stand is level, if I put the level on the light it is level, but if I put it on the tank it is off a few millimetres. Oh well, I am not worried.