Tank stand problems suggestions-?

[plack]

My son has recently built a stand for a tank and after it sat for awhile without a tank on it (1 month approx.) the stand is now bowed convex on top (high in the center lower at the right/left length wise ) about 3/8" the stand is exactly the same size as the tank 72" long x 18" front to back It is a glass tank he put 1/2" foam underneath all of it now the bottom of the stand has a normal frame wich means the tank would rest on it not on the glass and it's 1/8" thick I am thinking of belt sanding the plywood down to level it out as the stand frame under the plywood is very strong six 4"x4" for legs and 2"x6" around the sides top and bottom and some center braces so it alone without any plywood can hold it quite well other option's would be just to try to stick shims under it but then it wont be supported everywhere and my son thinks that that would be o.k. since the tank rests on the edges and center braces of the tank frame bottom and that 1/2" foam would help support it I don't understand if the foam should be under the tank and its frame or not on it's frame just in that space area in wich case it needs to be thinner right?

 

[bigdave]

Just take the plywood off you don't need it on a glass tank with a frame. You state that the stand is the exact the tank will sit fine without the plywood. The foam is good for any scews or nails that may be sticking out to stress the glass and break it and also fills any uneven spots in the stand. None of All-Glass stand have full deck tops for the tank just supports for the tank frame. Hope this helps Dave

 

[plack]

big dave if I took off the plywood (it is glued and nailed in place) the top of the stand underneath would still be convex as the plywood is just following the frametop shape it is all covex I guess I am going to belt sand it down unless another idea comes along.

 

[Maxx]

So you are saying the wood underneath the plywood, (The upper portion of the stand frame in otherwords) has warped and pushed the plywood along with it?
What you have described above sounded initially like it was only the plywood that had warped. If its the stand frame that has warped, I would replace the warped pieces if you intend to use the stand. Its a bigger PITA, but will be safer and keep your mind at ease. I would also suggest treating the wood with a weather sealant to protect the wood against the corrosive saltwater spray and environment. That should also prevent it from warping again in the future.

Nick

 

[plack]

yes that's right maxx it is all outdoor treated lumber .

 

[snobanker]

Ah there in may lie the problem. Treated wood can twist, warp, etc badly sometimes. I've seen treated 4x4s twist almost 90 degs. Really a bad situation when there was stop sign mounted on it ...opps. And I'm referring to pretreated outdoor wood not self treated with a sealer which should be fine as suggested above.

 

[dnjan]

Personally, I wouldn't let treated wood anyplace inside my house, let alone close to my tank. The new treated wood is safer, not safe.