Q: Level Base Question?

Chris · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 7

If my base is 100% level, and i am putting a ply tank down on it, should i
still put styrofoam? the base is completly level in all directions.

Thanks for any input

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>tech

Mort · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 55

"Chris" wrote in message$yG.145217@weber.videotron.net...
> If my base is 100% level, and i am putting a ply tank down on it, should i
> still put styrofoam? the base is completly level in all directions.
>
> Thanks for any input
>
>

Better safe than sorry? Being that styrofoam is so cheap (relatively
speaking) why not just do it?
Besides that, your base may be 100% level NOW. But after a few months of
the stress of all the weight, I seriously doubt it will stay 100%.

Just my .02

HTH

~Mort

The Madd Hatter · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 81

If the base is wood, it will eventually settle and warp slightly after
taking the weight and being exposed to water. The styrofoam is meant to
equalize these small fluctuations. It shouldn't be used to correct an
already un level stand anyway. The stand should be leveled first and then
the styro used for minute adjustments..

"Chris" wrote in message$yG.145217@weber.videotron.net...
> If my base is 100% level, and i am putting a ply tank down on it, should i
> still put styrofoam? the base is completly level in all directions.
>
> Thanks for any input
>
>

Bob K. · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 59

>If the base is wood, it will eventually settle and warp slightly after
>taking the weight and being exposed to water.

I've had numerous tanks from 5 gals to 150g on wood based frames
for many decades and have never had or seen a problem with mine
or anyone else's wood 'warping'. (& I'm on my 4th fishroom and
have met and visited and discussed fish rooms with many people
over the years)

Wood will warp slightly when exposed to many cycles of water and
drying (such as outdoors) - but with hundreds of pounds of fish tank
weight on the wood, indoors, it's not going to warp to any degree
that you can see or that would affect an aquarium on it.

Look at any deck that's nailed or screwed down, it has less than
those hundreds of pounds applied, it's rained on and dryed in the
sun for years, and there'll be negligible warping.

Don't bother with the styrofoam, it's an urban legand that
arose with the internet and won't die.

Bob