Leveling a floor to put a stand on it

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by Magnus, Nov 30, 2010.

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  1. Magnus

    Magnus Sharknado

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    The ones they make now are anti-microbial. Although sealing it is a good idea, it would not be absolutely required.
    The new technology they're using for these underlayment is insane nowdays, They dry (to walk on) in as little as 2-3 hours at least the ones that I recommended.
    Check the specs in the link below to see all the cool stuff these underlayments can do today!

    http://www.ardex.com/cms\Assets\Products\Documentation\wwh-555-tech-us-e.pdf
     
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  3. Magnus

    Magnus Sharknado

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    Awesome! I would love a drain only a few feet from my tank!

    If you're going to give this a try, based on what you said the slope is pretty decent (1" across 6 feet). What I'm not sure is if your tank is 6 feet long, like a 125 gallon or more. If that's the case, what the slope would be 1" thick in the lower end, and very shallow on the opposite end. You may want to do one 1/2" application, followed by another 3/4" application, since the minimum recommended thickness per application is 1/8". And you will need something taller than 1" (1.5-2 inches instead of 1x1's). Also, I should clarify that you do need to do some minor smoothing with a trout since the self leveling time frame, if mixed as per the instructions on the bag, is of about 10 minutes. That is why you need to be absolutely ready to pour it right after you mix it. This is why I recommended mixing it just a tiny bit more wet than the directions, it really only gives you about 3 extra minutes to work with. but I don't want to scare you... it is fairly easy to apply, even for the people that are not familiar with it.

    Good luck!! And please, make sure to stop by again after you're done with the project with as many pictures of it as you can.
     
  4. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    That is a much better choice then the gypsum concrete underlayments from the past. Good deal saves some money and time.8)
    That underlayment that Magnus suggests is Portland cement based and I am sure is super strong.
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2010
  5. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    I want to thank you both for the fantastic, detailed posts one after the other on this thread. This will do down as a goldmine for those that want to do this and are looking for info.

    I wish I had had more time. I moved my tank. I shimmed the tank to deal with the floor and I got it level. But I can look at the gap in the front of the stand right now and I will never, ever have the piece of mind I would have if I had done this. I will always worry about stand fatigue and coming home to a flood!
    matt
     
  6. chappy85

    chappy85 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    oh wow, epic instructions!
    think using small fencing mesh or something as reo would help any?

    just a short story relating to putting cloth under the base someone mentioned-
    i had a pot plant on a bench once and put a cloth under it to protect the surface and soak up any spilt water. the day came to move and the plant got shifted for the first time in a couple of years. the cloth was a right nasty piece of rotten stank and took a great many chemicals to clean the bench to a state good enough to get our bond back.
    i could imagine fish water wouldnt be pretty either lol.
    maybe a strip of closed cell foam on top of the blue tape square?
    could put it down under the edge before pouring and might act as a seal?
     
  7. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    Actually the suggestion I made about the drop cloth was only a temporary thing. I never meant that you should leave it under the base as I am sure it would cause a mess when water hits it. The dropcloth was only a precaution while you are working on it to protect your floor while glueing or chiseling on the base. Sorry for the misleading info.8) My contribution was a very small part and Magnus deserves most of the credit. Good luck with this and if anyone trys it please post some pics for the rest of us.;D
    On a side note I just made my 100th post and am looking forward to getting my 3reef secret decoder ring.lol
     
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  9. Magnus

    Magnus Sharknado

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    Say what???!!! I never got a ring! I'm shocked! :eek:

    LOL
     
  10. Magnus

    Magnus Sharknado

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    Maybe a thin piece of Styrofoam would work instead of the rag. I never had that experience, but I'll remove that from the instructions. I trusts in the experience of other people and I don't want somebody to take down a tank for a smelly rag, do I? :p

    Sorry for the slow reply. Only that on the other post above my eyes got drown to that "Ring of power" that you mentioned :0