aquarium platform

[chriz2]

Hi everyone
I am working on my 375 gallon in wall build. Today I put the tank in place on my stand that I built using 2x 10s and 3/4 plywood on top. The tank spans 10 feet. I noticed after the tank was in place that a 4 corners are flush to the plywood, but about 1/2 foot in from the corners going left to right there is a 1/8 inch gap between the tank and plywood running about 9 feet to the other corner before it is flush again. I know some people but styrofoam between the tank and plywood and others say there is no need. My question is do I move the tank and but styrofoam or once the tank is full it will bow anyways to meet the plywood

As always thanks for any input

[chriz2]

bump

[risin]

With a tank that size, I would want zero visible gaps before the plywood and Styrofoam are added. I had a similar issue with a stand I got second hand. I added some vertical supports to resolve the issue.

[billdogg]

If the tank has trim on it, DO NOT USE STYROFOAM!

It will be a PIA, but what I would do is this:

Using composite shim, place them (TEMPORARILY) between the tank and the plywood. Number and mark the shims and stand so you know exactly where they go, then remove them, take the tank off and loosen the plywood. Insert the shims in the proper locations and to the correct depth. Snug the plywood back down on top of the shims and replace the tank. If you measured right, you should be good to go. If not, tap the shims a bit to adjust. Cut off the excess and call it a day.

The culprit is almost certainly the 2x10's. The chances of the all being perfectly straight is about 0. If you had jointed top edge you could have avoided the problem.

When I build stands that way, I joint one edge of the top frame, then rip them all to a consistent width.

hth

[chriz2]

Would vertical braces every 3 feet do the job to straighten out

[billdogg]

It's gonna have to be one hell of a support to take the bow out of a 2x10

Pictures would help, but I'm guessing that it's because the 2x10's you used were not straight to begin with. When you put the plywood down, it conformed to them.