shimming a glass tank

[nova67]

i have a 135 gal glass tank and when i set it in the stand one corner has about a 2mm gap under it.would it be alright to put a shim under that corner if not what should i do.


thanks

[dermer]

from what i have been told is that you should put a real thin layer of foam under the tank and level the stand not the tank i would see if the stand has a flaw in it or if the tank has a flaw and take it back good luck

[Reeses]

We use shims on our tanks, and they stay level. Just make sure you re-check a few times after you fill it with water, the added weight can throw it off again.

[nova67]

did you shim the tank or the bottom of the stand.im pretty sure that it is the top of the stand that is not level

[nova67]

the tank it self is level but ther is a 2mm gap under one corner of the tank and top of the stand

[Reeses]

We shimmed the bottom of the stand. In our case, it's our floors that don't make it level, not the stands/tanks. Then we checked the level at the bottom of the stand, top of stand, and top to tank to ensure that it was perfectly even.

[SDguy]

Putting a shim under the tank itself is very dangerous. It could easily cause a pressure point from which a crack could result. If you have the kind of glass tank that requires a foam liner between it and the stand, your in luck. If not, I'd be REALLY scared about using a stand that is not level, especially for that size tank. Is it a DIY stand?

[nova67]

sdguy yes it is a diy solid oak stand.i cut a sheet of plywood to fit the base of the tank and put it under the tank do you think it would be ok to shim under the plywood

[SDguy]

Originally posted by nova67
sdguy yes it is a diy solid oak stand.i cut a sheet of plywood to fit the base of the tank and put it under the tank do you think it would be ok to shim under the plywood

That I don't know. I would think it risky at least. What brand tank is it? Does it have a trim around the bottom that it sits on, or does the entire glass bottom sit directly onto the stand?

[drstupid]

if i built my own cabinet, i'd probably want to level the stand as well as the tank. that may be reflecting on my cabinet making skills, but you don't want the box subject to unnecessary stress either. i'd put plywood under the stand, shim that level, put the stand on it, and then shim between the plywood top and the stand to level the tank.

i'd also recommend putting some foam between the tank and plywood, to perfect your leveling job. i used the closed cell interlocking foam panels they sell as "anti-fatigue" flooring at BJ's. it's cheap and effective, unobtrusively black, and your excess is useful for silencing pumps etc.

[nova67]

the tank sits level on the stand.just one corner of the tank dose not thouch the stand.it looks like the wood might have a low spot

sdguy the tank dose have plastic trim on the bottom

[jeffbrig]

Originally posted by nova67
sdguy yes it is a diy solid oak stand.i cut a sheet of plywood to fit the base of the tank and put it under the tank do you think it would be ok to shim under the plywood

Shims under the plywood are the ideal solution. You're essentially making a 2nd top for the stand that's level, then placing the tank on top of it. Just use lots of shims so the plywood is evenly supported.

[reefdood]

If the plywood top has a defect which causes the tank's corner to not touch, I'd either replace the wood with a level piece, or resurface the top by adding maybe another skin of plywood.