Slight Gap Between Bottom Of Tank and Stand

[Pinkheine]

Is it likely that this will pose a problem in the future? We are water testing the tank and noticed a gap on one side only about 12" in length(out of 24")The corners are solid to the top of the plywood/stand. The gap is enough to fit a quarter under in the middle and gets smaller as you go towards the corners. The pic below is the quarter in the middle and the wood to show how wide the span is that it isn't directly touching the stand/plywood. All the rest of the tank is solid on the stand.

The tank and water level is good. The gap is aprox 1/16" to maybe an 1/8", or equal to the thickness of the quarter.

Any input appreciated TIA

120gallon Oceanic Tech.

 

[fritz]

If I understood you right it should be fine, that's what the plastic frame is for. You may want to e-mail the pic to the manufacturer just for their 2 cents.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

For long term safety you can also get a floor underlayment from HD or flooring store. Make sure you choose the water proof type.

 

[littlebuck70]

just a lil word of advice if thats a DIY stand, if something happens to the tank it will not be covered under there warranty. Also if u take a level is the stand level or does the gap still appear? if not then u might want to send the tank back it might cause problems later on down the line.

 

[bad coffee]

Check the stand for flat. It might be level, but is it flat? Stretch a piece of thread across the top and see if the stand is indeed flat. If not, put a thin piece of foam under the tank to take the stress off.

Also, get rid of the shims under the tank.

B

 

[Pinkheine]

the shims were for the picture to show the span of the gap.

 

[NYCrab]

Uneven weight distribution, over time, has the potential to result in stress fractures - especially for this size tank. When dealing with 120g of water, there is absolutely no reason to take chances. (I've seen smaller tanks crack and cause lots of damage.) The advice above is correct - check the surface to ensure it is flat (this is more likely to be the problem as it is quite uncommon for a tank bottom to be bowed). If it's not the surface, check the tank.

 

[masterswimmer]

If not, put a thin piece of foam under the tank to take the stress off.

Also, get rid of the shims under the tank.

B

Ditto

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Wow is this a 120G tank or just 12"? If it's a 120G, I will be VERY WORRY.

 

[Pinkheine]

It is 120 gallons. Since filling the tank completely with water it has settled some and is a bit smaller than it was originally.

I have since sent out an email to Oceanic to see what they have to say. The stand and plastic is not flat. We used both the thread trick and three different levels to be sure. Nothing like overkill IMO just to be sure. The tank is off the thickness of six playing cards.

It is a combination of the stand having a bit of a droop in this one area and the tank itself also. The stand is 3 playing cards and the tank is 3 playing cards making up the 6 total. We used both thread and three different levels to determine this.


As for the foam the tank is in the wall by 6" so picking up the tank and putting it directly down on top of a piece of foam or insulation is impossible because the tank needs to be slid in place.

Also my concern with using the foam is that the edge of the black plastic (1/4") is going to simply crush the foam and cause little or no support anyway. Because isn't the purpose of the black rim to make up for any gaps in support or to be the added support the tank needs?

Excuse me if I seem green with all this, I did contact Oceanic and hope they get back in a timely manner with this all. We did our refugium today and are ready to move foward but seem to be haulted until we feel comfy to move ahead again.

I have gotten mixed reviews from everyone, some say it's okay, others not okay. Better safe than sorry of course. The stand not being flat we can fix but the tank not being flat is the issue that I am concerned with at this point in time.

 

[masterswimmer]

It is 120 gallons. Since filling the tank completely with water it has settled some and is a bit smaller than it was originally.

The settling some is a MAJOR concern. The only thing that could have 'settled' is the tank sagging in that spot where there is no support.

I would not sleep easy with that situation.

I have since sent out an email to Oceanic to see what they have to say.

If the tank is not on a factory stand and you built your own, Oceanic will tell you that all warranty's are null and void.

The stand and plastic is not flat. We used both the thread trick and three different levels to be sure.

The stand being 'not flat' is your first indicator that Oceanic will take no responsibility for the tank failing.


swimmer

 

[Pinkheine]

The settling some is a MAJOR concern. The only thing that could have 'settled' is the tank sagging in that spot where there is no support.

I would not sleep easy with that situation.




If the tank is not on a factory stand and you built your own, Oceanic will tell you that all warranty's are null and void.



The stand being 'not flat' is your first indicator that Oceanic will take no responsibility for the tank failing.


swimmer

I know that the warranty is voided since we aren't using the Oceanic stand, that was not a question.(Knew that when we took the tank off of their stand and put it on our own) My question and point of concern is that because the tank is not flat and the stand was not flat by about 1/16" combined is that a major cause for concern. We can fix the stand but we can't fix the tank.

I see from most of the responses that we should be concerned... which we are... but I have also asked other questions which have not been answered, which is fine. I am still waiting on Oceanics response and when I get it from them I will post what they had to say.