Using Rubber Gym Flooring for Leveling

[FlyPenFly]

I was planning to use two layers .275" thick rubber gym flooring to level a 75 gallon aquarium on a wooden floor. One layer will be between the floor and stand and the second layer will be between the stand and aquarium.

To be clear, I'll be using an entire layer as in covering the entire bottom of the stand and the entire bottom of the aquarium.

This is very tough stuff but does have give enough that I think the ~600 pounds of pressure should level out the aquarium. I was going to use normal shims but I don't I can because of the design of the stand itself.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202915...toreId=10051&N=5yc1v&R=202915007#.UUdeWVtATyA

Any problems you guys see with this solution?



Aquarium

Rubber Layer

Stand

Rubber Layer

Floor

 

[Arati]

I would think it will not work as far as leveling it may take any rocking out. Just because water seeks its own level does not mean it is going to apply unequal pressure and there by level the tank.

 

[FlyPenFly]

I think my perhaps faulty thinking is that the water will apply enough pressure to compress it into level.

My thinking is the material has enough give. Imagine putting an aquarium on top of a really thick layer of super tough memory foam. Shouldn't that level the aquarium out?

 

[Paul B]

Flypenfly, I would use it under the aquarium but not on the floor. If you put a sheet of that rubber on the floor and it gets wet the water will migrate all the way under it and if it is a wood floor, it will rot the wood kind of fast, if it is cement, it may smell. I have 1/4" rubber between my tank and stand but you don't need anything on the floor other than make sure it is very level.

 

[FlyPenFly]

Thanks, good point. Maybe I'll use a double layer then between the aquarium and stand? The stand itself is "powder coated" wood.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9881

 

[Paul B]

Don't do that either, use one layer. Water will get between the layers and never come out. Don't get crazy Flypenfly. One layer is fine.

 

[peteyboyny]

I wouldn't do it. Cedar Shake Shingles work pretty good for leveling, and they're made of wood not rubber.

 

[FlyPenFly]

My worries about using shims is that the stand is actually a 2 piece bottom. I also don't want to create pressure points from the shims. They're held together at two points only.

 

[Paul B]

I would not put something flat on the floor near water. It needs to be raised up even 1/2" so air can get in.

 

[FlyPenFly]

Why is everything difficult!

Maybe I need to get some 2x4's that run under it lengthwise?

 

[peteyboyny]

If it's a 2pc stand, why don't you cut a piece of 3/4" plywood to match the footprint of the stand. Then if you still need to shim, it won't create those "pressure points". Most cedar shims can run 6-8" in width, which will distribute the weight pretty even. JMO.

 

[Paul B]

Why is everything difficult!

It's not, everything is actually simple.

You can put some preasure treated 2X4s under it if you like, or cement pavers.