tank leveling ?

James983 · 11/18/2010, 05:11 PM

I have an used acrylic 180 that I plan on filling very soon. I noticed when the tank is sitting on the stand one rear corner is off the stand approximately 1/2 inch. I know if I fill it the weight will level the corner, but I'm not sure if that is the best way to go. I'm thinking I should probably shim the back corner even though the stand is perfectly level.

By the way I have already leak tested the tank for about 2 weeks prior to relizing that the corner was out of whack.

Any thoughts or hlp would be great.

dublo8 · 11/18/2010, 07:21 PM

i personally wouldn't shim it. Did you happen to get foam for underneath the tank? I would leave it the way it is and let the tank settle on the foam.

James983 · 11/18/2010, 07:36 PM

Didn't get foam. I don't know if I could use it, the whole stand functions as a sump. I was just going to use the composite shims from Homie.

T Diddy · 11/18/2010, 08:47 PM

Acrylic tanks are certainly more forgiving than glass when it comes to a less than perfect stand or vice versa. Did you buy the tank only or did it come with the stand? An acrylic tank of any size typically requires a solid flat surface for support to prevent any major bowing.

sirreal63 · 11/18/2010, 11:21 PM

Don't shim the tank...ever...shim the stand, only if it needs it to make the tank level. In this case the stand seems fine. Shimming the tank will create a pressure point and will eventually break the tank. Use the foam, just the 1/4" stuff is fine and let the tank settle back to the correct position.

James983 · 11/19/2010, 05:39 AM

The stand came with the tank. The stand is perfectly level. The left rear of the tank or the right front rocks slightly. I looked real close and it's more like 1/4" only so I'm thinking of just leaving it alone.

James404 · 11/19/2010, 07:35 AM

I would definitely put foam under that tank, not worth the risk.

crvz · 11/19/2010, 01:41 PM

It is very common to use the builders foam on acrylic tanks, particularly those that sit with their bottom plane flat on a surface. any chance you could share a picture for us?

11/18/2010, 05:11 PM	#1
James983 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,223	tank leveling ? I have an used acrylic 180 that I plan on filling very soon. I noticed when the tank is sitting on the stand one rear corner is off the stand approximately 1/2 inch. I know if I fill it the weight will level the corner, but I'm not sure if that is the best way to go. I'm thinking I should probably shim the back corner even though the stand is perfectly level. By the way I have already leak tested the tank for about 2 weeks prior to relizing that the corner was out of whack. Any thoughts or hlp would be great.

11/18/2010, 07:21 PM	#2
dublo8 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Morgan Hill, Ca Posts: 3,225	i personally wouldn't shim it. Did you happen to get foam for underneath the tank? I would leave it the way it is and let the tank settle on the foam. __________________ 10g IM fusion. Zoa and SPS dominant, Apex monitored, Ai Prime, MP10, sicce return.

11/18/2010, 08:47 PM	#4
T Diddy Slayer of Mice Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 1,338	Acrylic tanks are certainly more forgiving than glass when it comes to a less than perfect stand or vice versa. Did you buy the tank only or did it come with the stand? An acrylic tank of any size typically requires a solid flat surface for support to prevent any major bowing. __________________ America's best are not in America. Current Tank Info: 140 Gallon DSA in-wall, foam/rock wall, DIY LED, 40g sump, Precision Marine Skimmer, 100 gallon refugium, NO3, PO4,NH3/4 undetectable, Mg, Ca, KH...eeehhhhhh?

11/18/2010, 11:21 PM	#5
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Don't shim the tank...ever...shim the stand, only if it needs it to make the tank level. In this case the stand seems fine. Shimming the tank will create a pressure point and will eventually break the tank. Use the foam, just the 1/4" stuff is fine and let the tank settle back to the correct position. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

11/19/2010, 07:35 AM	#7
James404 I <3 Acros Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,523	I would definitely put foam under that tank, not worth the risk. __________________ 80g Deep Blue Rimless - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2651295 225g Reef Savvy SPS Dominant - Retired http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1945361

11/18/2010, 07:36 PM	#3
James983 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,223	Didn't get foam. I don't know if I could use it, the whole stand functions as a sump. I was just going to use the composite shims from Homie.

11/19/2010, 05:39 AM	#6
James983 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,223	The stand came with the tank. The stand is perfectly level. The left rear of the tank or the right front rocks slightly. I looked real close and it's more like 1/4" only so I'm thinking of just leaving it alone.

11/19/2010, 01:41 PM	#8
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	It is very common to use the builders foam on acrylic tanks, particularly those that sit with their bottom plane flat on a surface. any chance you could share a picture for us? __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

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