tank on floor

mattj

AC Members
Jan 31, 2004
31
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0
someone lent me a old 100 gallon tank to use for an aquaculture/aquaponic experiment. part of the "challenge" is to do this as cheaply as possible. therefore, i'd like to just set the tank up directly on the basment floor. i realize it might not be completely level but am thinking the greatest risk would come from uneven "pressure points" putting unequal pressure on the filled tank. do you think that an inch or so of styrofoam would be sufficient to absorb minor imperfections in the floor? other ideas? maybe a combo of a dense layer of styro over a less dense layer that can better absorb the pertubations in level of the concrete floor?

my other option currently is to put an old 6 foot wood pallet down first, 1/2 inch plywood and then a thin layer of foam. i already have the pallet and 1/2 inch ply so it fits w/ the frugal challenge i'm doing.
 
Using just the 1" piece of foam should do it ...unless there are some major high spots ...If just small little imperfections in the floor you should be fine. Just be sure to check the level of the tank as some basement floors are poured with a slight slope to help water drainage.
 
2x4s under a plywood top, shim to get plywood level, 1/2" to 3/4" of styro.

Water changes will be a pain unless you have a pump. Can you get some concrete blocks to add some height?
 
2x4s under a plywood top, shim to get plywood level, 1/2" to 3/4" of styro.

Water changes will be a pain unless you have a pump. Can you get some concrete blocks to add some height?


Thanks, I think i just figured out that I can "steal" the 2 x 4's from the old pallet to make a frame for the ply I have on hand and just add some foam.

Also, I'm just using a 5 gallon bucket to dip into the tank and scoop out water to do xchanges (1 x per day). I will need to occaisionally pump out detritus as it accumulates - but I want to collect it and use as fertilizer anyhow.
 
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