Level Tank or Level Stand?

sean04 · 02/02/2010, 02:28 PM

So, I'm thinking ahead right now and wanted to know how to level a tank. Do you level the stand by using shims? What if the stand is level but the tank is not. In this case do you also put shims under the tank?

I remember a while back reading on some type of material that people used to put on the surface of the stand and placing their tanks on this material. I just can't remember what this material was. I believe the purpose for this material was to prevent twisting or stress on your tank.

mann1139 · 02/02/2010, 02:32 PM

The bottom of the tank needs to be level, so the top of the stand.

I use foam under my tanks to level out the pressure, or even a towel for my nanos.

I would NOT shim the tank, I would shim the stand. Shim on the tank could concentrate pressure, which could lead to a crack.

hoffy02 · 02/02/2010, 02:57 PM

STAND!!!! NOT THE TANK

Mann's right, leveling the tank will cause undue pressure points..

sean04 · 02/02/2010, 03:06 PM

Thanks. So what type of foam do you put underneath the tank. Is it available at Home Depot or Lowes? My tank is an acrylic tank 55 gallons.

Tang-A · 02/02/2010, 03:18 PM

I use styrofoam on my tank and you can buy it at home depot. Very cheap and never had a problem in using it.

Neogenocide · 02/02/2010, 03:20 PM

There are times when shimming the tank is needed, however that would only be when the top of a stand is not built perfectly flat. Been there done that on my last stand. 1/16 off on one corner, and it was just too much to let slide, so I made the shims to fit. It ran perfectly for 3 years until it was torn down for a 125G tank.

Shim the stand if the entire thing is out of level.

Scott

mann1139 · 02/03/2010, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean04

Thanks. So what type of foam do you put underneath the tank. Is it available at Home Depot or Lowes? My tank is an acrylic tank 55 gallons.

Anything that compresses readily is fine.

My 29g, I just used strips of that pink packing foam.

hoffy02 · 02/03/2010, 08:03 AM

Everything on my setup has been recycled from home remodeling so far.. I used old capet padding!! LOL.. Works like a charm

02/02/2010, 02:28 PM	#1
sean04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 262	Level Tank or Level Stand? So, I'm thinking ahead right now and wanted to know how to level a tank. Do you level the stand by using shims? What if the stand is level but the tank is not. In this case do you also put shims under the tank? I remember a while back reading on some type of material that people used to put on the surface of the stand and placing their tanks on this material. I just can't remember what this material was. I believe the purpose for this material was to prevent twisting or stress on your tank.

02/02/2010, 03:20 PM	#6
Neogenocide Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Findlay, OH Posts: 851	There are times when shimming the tank is needed, however that would only be when the top of a stand is not built perfectly flat. Been there done that on my last stand. 1/16 off on one corner, and it was just too much to let slide, so I made the shims to fit. It ran perfectly for 3 years until it was torn down for a 125G tank. Shim the stand if the entire thing is out of level. Scott __________________ NorthWest Ohio Reef Association

02/02/2010, 02:32 PM	#2
mann1139 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jersey Posts: 178	The bottom of the tank needs to be level, so the top of the stand. I use foam under my tanks to level out the pressure, or even a towel for my nanos. I would NOT shim the tank, I would shim the stand. Shim on the tank could concentrate pressure, which could lead to a crack.

02/02/2010, 02:57 PM	#3
hoffy02 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Crosby, TX. Posts: 399	STAND!!!! NOT THE TANK Mann's right, leveling the tank will cause undue pressure points..

02/02/2010, 03:06 PM	#4
sean04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 262	Thanks. So what type of foam do you put underneath the tank. Is it available at Home Depot or Lowes? My tank is an acrylic tank 55 gallons.

02/02/2010, 03:18 PM	#5
Tang-A Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Northern CA Posts: 65	I use styrofoam on my tank and you can buy it at home depot. Very cheap and never had a problem in using it.

02/03/2010, 08:03 AM	#8
hoffy02 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Crosby, TX. Posts: 399	Everything on my setup has been recycled from home remodeling so far.. I used old capet padding!! LOL.. Works like a charm