Unlevel Tank - Help Please

mlsherrill · 07/02/2012, 06:37 PM

Hi Reef Central Friends!

I'm not exactly new, this is my second go round in the hobby and am so looking forward to my new tank.... unfortunately, it has given me issues every part of the journey. But, I choose to believe it's to make sure that I go slow

My current issue - an unlevel tank. I did some research and have found a variety of responses to the amount of difference in water line that is acceptable and differences based on the stand, etc. So, I thought I'd post my exact situation and hope for some help...

Tank: 110 gallon with a rim on the top and bottom - 48" x 18" x 31"

Stand - Real wood stand - 49" x 19" x 37 1/2" made from 3/4" wood. It has a solid top and bottom.

The tank is sitting flush on the stand (differences in the level are the same on the tank and the stand).

No foam between the tank and stand or stand and floor.

We brought the tank in and put it on the stand over the weekend. It seemed to be fairly wobbly, so we made a bracket and braced it to the wall. My previous tanks have been on carpet, so I assumed it was from the wood floor.

My assumption at this point is that the floor is not level. I included pictures of the tank and it's current water level as well as the bubble on the level on the front and side of the tank.

Here are the differences in the water level:

Front view - difference between left and right - 3/8" higher on the right.

Side view - difference between front and back - 1/4" higher in the back.

So, I believe the floor is higher in the back than the front and higher on the right than the left.

What do I do now? Is this difference enough to be concerned with? And, if so, do I use shims to correct? Will this be bad with the solid bottom stand?

As you can see, the tank is half full, so of course I'd love a solution that requires as little breaking down as possible

Sorry for the long post, but I appreciate any advice that you can give!

Thanks,
Michele

mlsherrill · 07/02/2012, 06:40 PM

Slight correction - water level is higher on the left than right from the front view - 3/8" higher on the left

Agu · 07/02/2012, 06:52 PM

Wood shims are your friend. Put them under the stand and once it's level add shims every 6 to 8 inches. Once it's level snap off the shims. If the view of the shims bothers you a small piece of trim added to the bottom of the stand will hide the shims.

I did this on a 180 and it worked perfectly.

sammy77 · 07/02/2012, 07:07 PM

I'd opt for the composite shims.

mlsherrill · 07/02/2012, 07:11 PM

Will the shims damage my hardwood floors?

Agu · 07/02/2012, 08:04 PM

I prefer wood because it compresses equally. Will it damage your wood floor, possibly putting the first few shims in to level the tank the finish could get scratched.

Not nearly as much damage as the inevitable water spill you'll have

.

mlsherrill · 07/02/2012, 09:31 PM

Thank you all for the help! Update - shims are installed and tank is nearly perfectly level. Wonderful boyfriend is cutting the excess off the shims now... can't wait to see it level with water!

zigzag1 · 07/03/2012, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammy77

I'd opt for the composite shims.

+1 I prefer my shims to not compress at all. Which is what happens when they get wet, and well.. unless you want to spray down the entire area when a few get wet so they all get wet and 'compress evenly' you are really just better off to use something that isnt affected by water at all.. JMTC & GL!

07/02/2012, 06:52 PM	#3
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Wood shims are your friend. Put them under the stand and once it's level add shims every 6 to 8 inches. Once it's level snap off the shims. If the view of the shims bothers you a small piece of trim added to the bottom of the stand will hide the shims. I did this on a 180 and it worked perfectly. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

07/02/2012, 07:07 PM	#4
sammy77 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: IL Posts: 373	I'd opt for the composite shims. __________________ 220gal FOWLR When you're down....look up....get up....and don't ever give up! Current Tank Info: 220gal FOWLR

07/02/2012, 08:04 PM	#6
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	I prefer wood because it compresses equally. Will it damage your wood floor, possibly putting the first few shims in to level the tank the finish could get scratched. Not nearly as much damage as the inevitable water spill you'll have . __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

07/02/2012, 06:40 PM	#2
mlsherrill Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 36	Slight correction - water level is higher on the left than right from the front view - 3/8" higher on the left

07/02/2012, 07:11 PM	#5
mlsherrill Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 36	Will the shims damage my hardwood floors?

07/02/2012, 09:31 PM	#7
mlsherrill Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 36	Thank you all for the help! Update - shims are installed and tank is nearly perfectly level. Wonderful boyfriend is cutting the excess off the shims now... can't wait to see it level with water!