AP safe support material

[Brent Wheeler]

hi,

Due to space requirements I have my bio filter suspended on a grate system (kind sold at outdoor coy pond stores)  in my sump tank.  however it is not able to hold the weight on just the leg holes, it breaks though after several months of use.   

What sort of material or blocks can i use in the sump tank that will not leach into the system. to support this grate.   

[Bob Terrell]

One thing to think about also, can you raise the water level in your IBC.  If you raise the water level to a few inches above the bottom of the Rubbermaid  tank, the water itself will help support the weight.  The concrete boat in the water theory

[Brent Wheeler]

the pipe is not the issue,,  the spots that hold the pipe push though,,    but IF those are tall enough a few may work,,,

Phil Slaton said:

How about plastic trailer jack stands, you can get them at at any camper/trailer store or Camper World http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/trailer-jack-stand/58320  You can extend them with stainless steel pipe.  Or change over to stainless steel pipe.  BTW it comes un-threaded. You can find dealers of stainless steel pipe close to you through Google.

[Brent Wheeler]

to support the bio tank that much I would loose my drain back capacity,,, and i doubt it would lower the weight that much... nice idea if I did not have such a large tank and have it full....

Bob Terrell said:

One thing to think about also, can you raise the water level in your IBC.  If you raise the water level to a few inches above the bottom of the Rubbermaid  tank, the water itself will help support the weight.  The concrete boat in the water theory

[Leo White Bear]

You also may search out muffler repair shops.  Often they have short SS cut offs that they may be willing to sell to you or maybe with a little bribe - give to you.  Now you have to deal with the oil coating from the factory but this should pose little problem.

White Bear

[John E Windsor]

I had concern about concrete blocks and the point was made that many people build their small fish ponds using concrete. For me the point was well taken.

[TCLynx]

Concrete can be used.  One simply needs to understand it a bit more instead of simply assuming it's safe.  There is a reason concrete ponds (swimming pools) often make use of acid to neutralize the concrete after it's cured.

There are also safe paints that can be used on concrete to seal it.  Swimming pool paints or epoxy coatings but that seems a little over the top, to be paining concrete blocks.

Now the plastic grate?  Is it breaking where the legs go in?  And then sliding down the grate?

Perhaps simply making another PVC frame that sits in under the grate to help support it a little more so that not all the weight is being put just on the grate where the four legs stick up.  Make a PVC box out of Ts and Elbows and the largest schedule water pipe you can get and make a box that is inside the 4 pipe legs you already use to help support the grate in the middle.  Or I suppose if milk crates happen to be the right size, make sure you face them up or down as they won't be strong enough on their sides.

I do have a little bit of worry for the plastic of the bottom of your sump tank having the small legs pushing down on a small spot of thin HDPE plastic.  That kind of stress can crack HDPE.

[Phil Slaton]

Great idea Leo.

Leo White Bear said:

You also may search out muffler repair shops.  Often they have short SS cut offs that they may be willing to sell to you or maybe with a little bribe - give to you.  Now you have to deal with the oil coating from the factory but this should pose little problem.

White Bear

[Tony Gilliam]

I would avoid cement blocks, Can you build support with 2" pvc pipes?