Do you use a pad between your tank and stand?

[extreme_tooth_decay]

Wondering if I should this time.

 

I know some people use styrofoam, rubber, etc...what do you use, and where did you get it?

 

I think I'd like to use something like rubber. I don't like styrofoam.

 

I don't jhave any particular reason I want to do it, the stand is straight and level, I just prefer to have a bit of cushion. I was thinking about stacking up a few (many) levels of duct tape.

 

thanks

Edited August 9, 2010 by extreme_tooth_decay

[CHUBAKAH]

You can get some peel and stick vinyl tile at HD or Lowes for about 89 cents a piece which is what I have used in the past. Also makes it easy to slide the tank in to place at set up.

[flowerseller]

My 220 sits on a sheet of plywood on top of a 2x4 stand.

[jason the filter freak]

i want to see the duct tape option in action, do that one

[extreme_tooth_decay]

My 220 sits on a sheet of plywood on top of a 2x4 stand.

 

That is how I usually do it. This time I want something that is a little squishy in there just to even out tiny irregularities, grain of sand, etc.

 

i want to see the duct tape option in action, do that one

 

Figures you would like the ghetto option I think it would work well...but I do like the vinyl tile idea. They have just a little bit of give to them.

 

Anyone else use anything different? I know people use styrofoam, but I don't care for it.

[davelin315]

I use styrofoam but would rather have had a level stand to begin with. You could also use some great stuff or other type of spray/injected foam. I actually thought of using sand at one point in time - figure if that doesn't even out to what I would need then nothing would - dry sand with a small lip around the top of the stand to keep it in place. Just put the tank on, give the stand a couple of good whacks with a rubber mallet to spread it out and even it out, and then fill the tank up. Of course, this is probably a fairly stupid way to do it, but I was trying to be creative and figure out what would work best to even out my own stand until I shimmed it several thousand times and added the foam and styrofoam...

[extreme_tooth_decay]

I use styrofoam but would rather have had a level stand to begin with. You could also use some great stuff or other type of spray/injected foam. I actually thought of using sand at one point in time - figure if that doesn't even out to what I would need then nothing would - dry sand with a small lip around the top of the stand to keep it in place. Just put the tank on, give the stand a couple of good whacks with a rubber mallet to spread it out and even it out, and then fill the tank up. Of course, this is probably a fairly stupid way to do it, but I was trying to be creative and figure out what would work best to even out my own stand until I shimmed it several thousand times and added the foam and styrofoam...

 

 

Interesting idea.

 

With a typical 2x4 stand, it would be easy to make the lip to hold the sand, just slap another 2x4 to the one on the rim, a little higher. Put tank on, shake/rattle it a little...people use sand to level stone steps and such

[BowieReefer84]

How about build a lip to pour a thin layer of "thinset concrete" Let it self level? Just a thought.

[davelin315]

I had thought about the self-leveling stuff, too, but thought about the impact that this might have on the weight itself of the stand in the future. You could not get much more level than that, though, since it self levels itself. I had thought of doing this beneath my stand and also on top of it to ensure a level surface everywhere but again resorted to a using a Sequoia to shim my stand instead. I chickened out on using the sand and the self leveling compounds... Tim, time to do it!

[extreme_tooth_decay]

I had thought about the self-leveling stuff, too, but thought about the impact that this might have on the weight itself of the stand in the future. You could not get much more level than that, though, since it self levels itself. I had thought of doing this beneath my stand and also on top of it to ensure a level surface everywhere but again resorted to a using a Sequoia to shim my stand instead. I chickened out on using the sand and the self leveling compounds... Tim, time to do it!

 

The self leveling goo is an interesting idea, but wouldn't help me...my stand is level. I done built it that way. I want something the tank can squish into. I would worry about the self leveling stuff cracking, also. Even with a thick-ish coat, there is a lot of weight on it.

 

I am torn between duct tape, peel and stick tile, and now sand. Unfortunately, I've glued/screwed a second 2x4 on the inside rim of my stand, so it would be hard for me to make the sand trough that way now. I might be able to work it, though.

 

My stand is almost at that point now, I better decide soon.

[paul b]

I have that 3/4" thick foam rubber that comes with a window air conditioner. It has been under my tank for 35 years and is still flexable.

[davelin315]

I had thought of those foam tiles that are used in gyms and play rooms for kids, but chickened out of those, too. Is that the type of foam you are talking about, Paul?

[extreme_tooth_decay]

I had thought of those foam tiles that are used in gyms and play rooms for kids, but chickened out of those, too. Is that the type of foam you are talking about, Paul?

 

I had seen someone online talking about using the play tiles. They seem like a good idea.

 

The only window air conditioner foam sealer I know of is just foam and not rubber and way too flimy/squishy.

[BowieReefer84]

How about a piece of berber carpet or outdoor carpet?

[jason the filter freak]

the tile seems like the best option as it will allow the tank to be slid most easily, ive read your explanation but still not really getting why with a very level stand you want to pad the tank, also if you put a squishy surface on a non level surface wont the squishy stuff possibly just magnify the issue?

[extreme_tooth_decay]

the tile seems like the best option as it will allow the tank to be slid most easily, ive read your explanation but still not really getting why with a very level stand you want to pad the tank, also if you put a squishy surface on a non level surface wont the squishy stuff possibly just magnify the issue?

 

 

Suppose something like a large grain of sand got between the tank and stand that I didn't know about. This could make a wobble point/point load. If there was something rigid, but squishy, between them, the material could squish around the obstruction.

 

Think of a fat person laying face down on a softball. Their back is still as flat as without the softball, the baseball has been absorbed into the "material".

 

I'm not trying to level an unlevel surface, I'm trying to provide for relief of small irregularities in what may be an uneven surface, either tiny imperfections in the surface itself, or anything that may get in there.

 

Even with a level surface, there may be places I could slide a piece of paper between the tank and stand, and the stand is therefore not properly supported. I want something to squish into those tiny voids.

Edited August 10, 2010 by extreme_tooth_decay

[jason the filter freak]

hahaha the fat guy on the softball is the best visual ever, sorry i got what youre doing i dont get what other people are talking about with leveling. why not just a thin piece of insulation foam ( the pink stuff from hd/lowes)

[extreme_tooth_decay]

why not just a thin piece of insulation foam ( the pink stuff from hd/lowes)

 

Yeah, some people use that. It seems like they only have huge (4x8'?) sheets, I just need strips for the sides. And, aren't the sheets pretty expensive?

[zygote2k]

If anyone needs foam for free, contact me. I work in a foam fab shop.

[bill stine]

I roll out a bead of plumbers putty on the stand then sit the tank on it. peel off the excess.

[Prunfarm]

I used foam core board. Available at Wally World in the crafts section. Or Michaels. Or the Dollar Store. Also painted it, put on velcro tabs and now have a removable background.