bowicofe

Thank you for the help obie, mindnova, and jetajockey. I hope I didn't come across as a stubborn newb and really do appreciate the comments. It now has more cinder blocks at the middle part.

jetajockey

its all good just sharing experiences.

mindnova

I've got some nasty lessons that were very expensive. If I helped is all I care. I won't use the word newbee except for me every time I think i know something it bits me in the backside.

bowicofe

Lol yeah, I know the feeling. There's definitely a learning curve with this stuff and for me, I've had more mistakes than successes. Being a regular gardener before trying scaping made me a bit cocky or nonchalant about all there is to learn about growing underwater.

Diana K

For tanks up to 4' long...

I use a 2 x 4 box on top of the CMUs. The 2 x 4 box is carefully measured and assembled so the rim of the tank is centered on the 2 x 4s. Then a strip of foam (1/2" thick Styrofoam sold as insulation) on top of the 2 x 4s.

I stack them up this way:

First I pad the floor. I have hardwood floors and do not want them scratched. A thin sheet of foam (1/8") is fine for this, and does not crush so much as to make things un-level.

Second: a pair of CMUs (CMU = Concrete Masonry Unit. I use 8-8-16 closed end bond beam units).
I do stack them 'wrong'. The holes are sideways.

Third: Wood shelving across the full width.

Fourth and fifth: 2 more CMUs (again, holes are sideways)

Sixth: 2 x 4 box.

Seventh: 1/2" strip of foam

Eighth: The tank.

Use a level at every stage.

The holes in the CMUs are exposed, and I use them for storing some stuff, mostly a small towel that I keep handy at each tank.
For maximum strength, though, the CMUs ought to be stacked up the right way.

bowicofe

Thanks for help, Diana. Over 20 aquariums? Someday...that'll be me

I decided to redo the stand 1 brick high so it would cover the full 18" of the tank's side. You guys are right, I just didn't want to put more weight on my second floor with more blocks so I had to figure out a compromise. So it's now 4 cmus or cinder blocks on the ground in a U shape if that makes sense. Then the wood planks and then the plywood. I started putting in the substrate and plants today. It'll be an emersed setup for awhile.