Tank leveling

Sean_South · 07/02/2012, 09:56 AM

Hello RC,

So I have a 14 gal Biocube and I was just wondering if I have to worry that the tank is slightly off

I know it is only 14 gal which is quite small, but I should I shim the tank or will it be fine? From the front it is completely level but it leans slightly forward. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also if anyone would be willing to post a spreadsheet that they use for their logbook I would greatly appreciate that! Thanks for any help RC!

Sean

tmerf11 · 07/02/2012, 10:01 AM

With it being almost half a bubble off, I would probably shim it to get it a little closer. Is the floor off, or the stand?

thegrun · 07/02/2012, 10:09 AM

It is more a matter of aesthetics with a small 14 gallon tank. If you can live with it there is no harm in it being out of plumb but I like the look of a level tank. If you pm me your e-mail address I'll send you the spread sheet I use.

torvall · 07/02/2012, 10:41 AM

I agree with thegrun that you probably are okay, but having had a smaller off center nano tank myself, the wonky water line might bother you (it did me) a lot when you get it up and running.

Sean_South · 07/02/2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torvall

I agree with thegrun that you probably are okay, but having had a smaller off center nano tank myself, the wonky water line might bother you (it did me) a lot when you get it up and running.

Thanks for the input. I figured with something as small as 14 gallons that it would not matter too much, Ive uploaded a video of the stand shimmed. I worry that one of the shims may be knocked out of place or is this normal? Thanks for any input

garcastle2 · 07/02/2012, 02:36 PM

I would be less concerned if the tendency is for the water to go towards your overflow, but then again I have a 90ga and my toddler LOVES to junk up and down right in front of it LOL. I'm thinking of reinforcing the basement ceiling with plywood and cross studs. :^)

Feel free to snap the shims to the size you need. You can always sand them down if they have precarious splinters from doing so. That way you can slide the shims along their thickness until you balance things out, mark the shims with a pencil so you know where to snap them (or cut them).

Another option is to shim (or otherwise level) the table or platform that the tank is on since it is really whatever is below the tank that is making it not be level (table, floor, etc). I put a couple stacked shims under my self-made stand for my 90. The stand is built with cedar 4x4's, 3/4" plywood top and bottom, and faced with 1x4's with marine varnish on the inside and over the outside black glossy paint so those shims will never go anywhere (but perhaps through the floor some day LOL).

garcastle2 · 07/02/2012, 02:38 PM

You can also get those various-sized plastic/felt/etc feet for sticking onto the bottom of chairs/tables/etc. If you put the right size under the stand/table, then it may be enough to level it out on the carpet/wood-floor without anyone even seeing that it is there.

07/02/2012, 09:56 AM	#1
Sean_South Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 130	Tank leveling Hello RC, So I have a 14 gal Biocube and I was just wondering if I have to worry that the tank is slightly off I know it is only 14 gal which is quite small, but I should I shim the tank or will it be fine? From the front it is completely level but it leans slightly forward. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone would be willing to post a spreadsheet that they use for their logbook I would greatly appreciate that! Thanks for any help RC! Sean

07/02/2012, 10:01 AM	#2
tmerf11 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 115	With it being almost half a bubble off, I would probably shim it to get it a little closer. Is the floor off, or the stand? __________________ 120 Gallon, 40 gall sump (Birth: Jan 2012) Dimmable Sunpower 8x54, BRS GFO and Carbon Reactors, 2 Mp40s, Eheim1262 Return Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon

07/02/2012, 02:36 PM	#6
garcastle2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Philly Posts: 50	I would be less concerned if the tendency is for the water to go towards your overflow, but then again I have a 90ga and my toddler LOVES to junk up and down right in front of it LOL. I'm thinking of reinforcing the basement ceiling with plywood and cross studs. :^) Feel free to snap the shims to the size you need. You can always sand them down if they have precarious splinters from doing so. That way you can slide the shims along their thickness until you balance things out, mark the shims with a pencil so you know where to snap them (or cut them). Another option is to shim (or otherwise level) the table or platform that the tank is on since it is really whatever is below the tank that is making it not be level (table, floor, etc). I put a couple stacked shims under my self-made stand for my 90. The stand is built with cedar 4x4's, 3/4" plywood top and bottom, and faced with 1x4's with marine varnish on the inside and over the outside black glossy paint so those shims will never go anywhere (but perhaps through the floor some day LOL). __________________ Cheers, G. Current Tank Info: 90g AGA-MF; 20g Amiracle sump a floor below; Hamilton HQI hood 2x Ushio 20k 250w, 2x 110w VHO blues; Reeflo Hammerhead Gold; MRC MR-2; DIY sch80 plumbing galore; 2x MP40wes; 50g DIY Fuge/Reservoir w/Eheim/Tunze; 20g QT; ~130# Fiji/30# Pukani

07/02/2012, 02:38 PM	#7
garcastle2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Philly Posts: 50	You can also get those various-sized plastic/felt/etc feet for sticking onto the bottom of chairs/tables/etc. If you put the right size under the stand/table, then it may be enough to level it out on the carpet/wood-floor without anyone even seeing that it is there. __________________ Cheers, G. Current Tank Info: 90g AGA-MF; 20g Amiracle sump a floor below; Hamilton HQI hood 2x Ushio 20k 250w, 2x 110w VHO blues; Reeflo Hammerhead Gold; MRC MR-2; DIY sch80 plumbing galore; 2x MP40wes; 50g DIY Fuge/Reservoir w/Eheim/Tunze; 20g QT; ~130# Fiji/30# Pukani

07/02/2012, 10:09 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	It is more a matter of aesthetics with a small 14 gallon tank. If you can live with it there is no harm in it being out of plumb but I like the look of a level tank. If you pm me your e-mail address I'll send you the spread sheet I use.

07/02/2012, 10:41 AM	#4
torvall Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 38	I agree with thegrun that you probably are okay, but having had a smaller off center nano tank myself, the wonky water line might bother you (it did me) a lot when you get it up and running.