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Setting a tank on brick

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Bud, Dec 21, 2011.

  1. Dec 21, 2011 #1
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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    So I've been taking care of the rock/livestock for someone while they were in-between houses.  Now he has a house, and is considering this spot for his 125g
    [​IMG]


    The tank is a standard 60" 125, with rim, not RR or drilled. My thought is that the tank needs to be in contact all the way around, and the brick may not provide this surface. Am I correct in that thinking?


    If so, I figured there are a few options:


    Option #1, build a wood frame form over the brick area and pour thin layer of concrete slurry to create a perfectly flat and level surface to put the tnak. This is like what they do to put a ceramic tile floor in an old house (my parents had this done).


    Option #2, lay down some foam over the brick and top it with a piece of 3/4" ACS plywood.


    Option #3, make a small wood frame to sit on the brick. Could put a thin piece of foam under that to absorb the variance in the brick.


    Option #4, set tank directly on brick.


    I just think that the brick might not be the perfect surface to put a tank on, might create stress points on the seams or even worse on the glass.

    Feedback?
     
  2. Dec 21, 2011 #2
    Foo

    Foo Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    #2
     
  3. Dec 21, 2011 #3
    adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper

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    I would put a layer of thin foam on the brick, put tank directly onto foam (no need for additional plywood) , then make a trim around the bottom edge of the tank to hide the foam. You could even make the trim out of brick to match...
     
  4. Dec 21, 2011 #4
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    I think i would put plywood down first just to give a nice even surface then the foam. you could probably stain the plywood so it looks nice.
     
  5. Dec 21, 2011 #5
    ninjazx777 Des Moines, IA

    ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    by standard tank i am assumeing its made by a major manufactuer sach as marineland, all glass, aqueon, or ocianic if this is the case i would just put a 3/4" piece of plywood right on the bricks then set the tank directly ontop of the plywood and skip the foam all together.  you dont want to put foam dirrectly under the tank because major manufactuers use a floating bottom glass panel on there tanks. and they are designed to sit directly onto a stand with no foam under them infact you can do more harm then good by putting foam under a tank with a floating bottom.  the only time you need foam under a tank is if its an acrylic tank or a glass tank with out a floating bottom.
     
  6. Dec 21, 2011 #6
    ruggerkc North Liberty , IA

    ruggerkc Experienced Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    Is the brick level?
    I would use foam and not thin foam. Brick is not uniform or smooth, even with plwood one corner could easily be an 1/8" high or low and torque the tank.
     
  7. Dec 21, 2011 #7
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

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    Yes whichever tank manufacturer makes the 125 in the 5' long version. I believe that is Aqueon but this tank is second hand. And no I will not put it directly on foam. Matt you are correct (and all should take note) that setting a rimmed tank with a floating bottom on foam is not correct.

    ruggerkc that is my concern. Plywood alone will not correct a problem with the evenness of the brick. Foam with plywood on top may not either. That's why I came up with the slurry idea.
     
  8. Dec 21, 2011 #8
    Kpotter2 North liberty, IA

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    I would say Option 1 or just a frame made level, but the leveling set would make sure the whole thing is level.
     
  9. Dec 21, 2011 #9
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    The only thing about option 1 I would worry about is that its pretty permanent fix. What if in the future they want to remove the tank. They are left with the concrete "base"
    I think maybe a solid wood frame would be better because if the tank is removed you will be back to the original brick work.
     

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