Leveling Steel Stand for 770 Gallon

aldiaz33 · 06/30/2011, 03:41 PM

The floor where I’m setting up my tank is not level. The left side of the tank is 1.125” lower than the right side over the 10 foot span--It’s a consistent slope of roughly 1/8” (.125”) every foot.

The stand is 2”x2” .120” steel. Fortunately, it is level front to back, but I need to address the slope from side to side. I’m thinking that the entire span needs to be supported, as the water weight will be enormous with 770 gallons (6,000+ lbs of water). I don’t think only using steel washers on the low end and leaving the middle unsupported is a good idea.

If there are any local (Bay Area, CA) carpenters out there, I will name a fish after you if you can help me cut two 10’ long shims that slope from 1.125” down to nothing.

I am open to hearing any and all ideas.

Thanks in advance.

JanVelazquez · 06/30/2011, 04:08 PM

I have the same problem for my 500 gallon tank but the slope is not that significant.

You could have an extension welded on to compensate for the leveling.

I also found out that the floor slopes to the front of the tank and I need the water to go back. This I dont know how to fix and I dont want to take off all the floring to put new tiling in with a new slope but this would be another option for you.

My last recomendation would be to use a steel shim but you need to make sure that all legs touch the floor evenly.

My apartment has two floors but its made of concrete, I dont know about yours but make sure your floor can support the weight.

Best of luck

Jan

This is my thread so you can see what I am doing.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...4#post18905164

James404 · 06/30/2011, 04:18 PM

You could just use the shims from home depot or lowes, I understand that will take a lot going down a 10' span though, but they are cheap and will get the job done quick. I just did it on my 6' 225.

dave.m · 06/30/2011, 05:16 PM

Several of the steel stands on this forum have used leveling feet. Have you considered them?

Dave.M

aldiaz33 · 07/03/2011, 05:12 PM

Thanks for your responses. I was browsing the lumber department at Lowes and I came across strips of (Poplar and Oak) of different thicknesses...it was perfect. I bought .75", .5" and .25" and used a combination of these to make two 9 foot long shims and a 3' piece for the low end. I think this is going to work out great.

I like the idea of leveling feet, but installing them seems a bit more involved and I'm not sure I would want all that weight resting on such a small surface area. Thanks for your help.

dahenley · 07/03/2011, 09:46 PM

depending on your floor, you could shim or use the self leveling feet, and then mix a batch of self leveling cement and pour to rest under the stand. (you will just have to dam around the outside so the cement doest runn off.)

just an option. then you will have a cement base under your steal stand

06/30/2011, 03:41 PM	#1
aldiaz33 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bay Area Posts: 73	Leveling Steel Stand for 770 Gallon The floor where I’m setting up my tank is not level. The left side of the tank is 1.125” lower than the right side over the 10 foot span--It’s a consistent slope of roughly 1/8” (.125”) every foot. The stand is 2”x2” .120” steel. Fortunately, it is level front to back, but I need to address the slope from side to side. I’m thinking that the entire span needs to be supported, as the water weight will be enormous with 770 gallons (6,000+ lbs of water). I don’t think only using steel washers on the low end and leaving the middle unsupported is a good idea. If there are any local (Bay Area, CA) carpenters out there, I will name a fish after you if you can help me cut two 10’ long shims that slope from 1.125” down to nothing. I am open to hearing any and all ideas. Thanks in advance.

06/30/2011, 04:18 PM	#3
James404 I <3 Acros Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,523	You could just use the shims from home depot or lowes, I understand that will take a lot going down a 10' span though, but they are cheap and will get the job done quick. I just did it on my 6' 225. __________________ 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

06/30/2011, 05:16 PM	#4
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	Several of the steel stands on this forum have used leveling feet. Have you considered them? Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

07/03/2011, 09:46 PM	#6
dahenley Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 3,165	depending on your floor, you could shim or use the self leveling feet, and then mix a batch of self leveling cement and pour to rest under the stand. (you will just have to dam around the outside so the cement doest runn off.) just an option. then you will have a cement base under your steal stand __________________ Its not just my tank, its OUR tank!!! :-) 240display, reef in progress Current Tank Info: 240 display, a few frags here and there. lots of fish, and lots of watching. (230 big screen getting re-sealed and going to add to the gallonage) My wife has no clue how addicted i really am.....

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06/30/2011, 04:08 PM	#2
JanVelazquez Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Puerto Rico, USA Posts: 129	I have the same problem for my 500 gallon tank but the slope is not that significant. You could have an extension welded on to compensate for the leveling. I also found out that the floor slopes to the front of the tank and I need the water to go back. This I dont know how to fix and I dont want to take off all the floring to put new tiling in with a new slope but this would be another option for you. My last recomendation would be to use a steel shim but you need to make sure that all legs touch the floor evenly. My apartment has two floors but its made of concrete, I dont know about yours but make sure your floor can support the weight. Best of luck Jan This is my thread so you can see what I am doing. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...4#post18905164

07/03/2011, 05:12 PM	#5
aldiaz33 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bay Area Posts: 73	Thanks for your responses. I was browsing the lumber department at Lowes and I came across strips of (Poplar and Oak) of different thicknesses...it was perfect. I bought .75", .5" and .25" and used a combination of these to make two 9 foot long shims and a 3' piece for the low end. I think this is going to work out great. I like the idea of leveling feet, but installing them seems a bit more involved and I'm not sure I would want all that weight resting on such a small surface area. Thanks for your help.