DIY Stand a little wobbly...Shimming ok?

kpk · 05/06/2013, 07:41 AM

This is probably a stupid question, but I hate to have to rebuild my stand due
to a little warped 2x4. The stand is solid as heck, but has a little wobble if you put on one corner. When you push on that corner it's level/perfect...

Is it ok to just shim under the stand a call it a day? I've never done it, but have had enlevel tanks lol.

Drae · 05/06/2013, 07:46 AM

It's okay if the top of the stand is level. Use wood shims.

Breadman03 · 05/06/2013, 07:46 AM

That depends if the problem is a wobbly stand, or a solid stand that needs a shim to correct an uneven floor or short leg.

roc5288 · 05/06/2013, 07:46 AM

If your stand is as solid as you say. shimming should not be a issue.

kpk · 05/06/2013, 07:57 AM

It's seems like it would hold a Mac truck just one corner isn't perfectly flat on be ground. It could also be my concrete floor in the shop. Here's a pic.

SGT_York · 05/06/2013, 08:45 AM

put it where it is going to stay and see if it wobbles, concrete is never level! like mentioned above if the stand wobbles rebuild if the whole stand wobbles because of the flooring then shim, you only need to shim the vertical supports not the entire bottom.

JonnyD91 · 05/06/2013, 09:43 AM

Shim between the stand and the floor not the stand and the tank.

look how bad mine was

i had to shim a decent amount of the stand.

kpk · 05/06/2013, 10:02 AM

Thanks for the pics Jon and info SGT.

Hacks me off that it didn't just turn out good, but I guess that's to be expected on a deal like this.

John, are those just door type shims? Do you think sitting on carpet it will level out better than concrete? It'll be sitting on carpet.

JonnyD91 · 05/06/2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpk

Thanks for the pics Jon and info SGT.

Hacks me off that it didn't just turn out good, but I guess that's to be expected on a deal like this.

John, are those just door type shims? Do you think sitting on carpet it will level out better than concrete? It'll be sitting on carpet.

Its a combination of plastic wedge shims and thinly cut pieces of 2X4. Been sitting on them since 2009. Carpet may help but ultimately the tank thats on the stand needs to be level, so you wont really know till you get the tank on there with water in it. Then shim as needed. 9 times out of 10 no matter how good the stand is you will have to shim something.

05/06/2013, 07:41 AM	#1
kpk Been Reefin' Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Elk City, OK Posts: 2,306	DIY Stand a little wobbly...Shimming ok? This is probably a stupid question, but I hate to have to rebuild my stand due to a little warped 2x4. The stand is solid as heck, but has a little wobble if you put on one corner. When you push on that corner it's level/perfect... Is it ok to just shim under the stand a call it a day? I've never done it, but have had enlevel tanks lol. __________________ Starting over!!! Rimless 90g 48.5x24.5x18 Planet Aquarium, PVC bottom, 1/2" glass, center external overflow, black back, barebottom, H&S skimmer, 40g sump, DIY stand, etc. http://www.reefcentral.com/ Current Tank Info: 90g Rimless in the works

05/06/2013, 07:46 AM	#4
roc5288 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NEW,YORK Posts: 96	If your stand is as solid as you say. shimming should not be a issue. __________________ 120g deep blue in progress 24G CARDIFF MIXED REEF HI EVERYBODY.. MY NAME IS STAN AND I'M A REEFAHOLIC

05/06/2013, 07:57 AM	#5
kpk Been Reefin' Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Elk City, OK Posts: 2,306	It's seems like it would hold a Mac truck just one corner isn't perfectly flat on be ground. It could also be my concrete floor in the shop. Here's a pic. __________________ Starting over!!! Rimless 90g 48.5x24.5x18 Planet Aquarium, PVC bottom, 1/2" glass, center external overflow, black back, barebottom, H&S skimmer, 40g sump, DIY stand, etc. http://www.reefcentral.com/ Current Tank Info: 90g Rimless in the works

05/06/2013, 09:43 AM	#7
JonnyD91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Manalapan NJ Posts: 1,444	Shim between the stand and the floor not the stand and the tank. look how bad mine was i had to shim a decent amount of the stand. __________________ Click my super cool username dropdown menu to see my new 90 Gallon In wall Build on my user home page :) Current Tank Info: 90G Reef - 2 MP40's - Apex Controlled - Reef Octopus PRO-SSS-DC1 Skimmer - 6 Bulb ATI Sunpower

05/06/2013, 10:02 AM	#8
kpk Been Reefin' Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Elk City, OK Posts: 2,306	Thanks for the pics Jon and info SGT. Hacks me off that it didn't just turn out good, but I guess that's to be expected on a deal like this. John, are those just door type shims? Do you think sitting on carpet it will level out better than concrete? It'll be sitting on carpet. __________________ Starting over!!! Rimless 90g 48.5x24.5x18 Planet Aquarium, PVC bottom, 1/2" glass, center external overflow, black back, barebottom, H&S skimmer, 40g sump, DIY stand, etc. http://www.reefcentral.com/ Current Tank Info: 90g Rimless in the works

05/06/2013, 07:46 AM	#2
Drae RAIDER NATION! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: City of sin... Posts: 3,476	It's okay if the top of the stand is level. Use wood shims.

05/06/2013, 07:46 AM	#3
Breadman03 New Old School Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Luzerne County, PA Posts: 3,293	That depends if the problem is a wobbly stand, or a solid stand that needs a shim to correct an uneven floor or short leg.

05/06/2013, 08:45 AM	#6
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	put it where it is going to stay and see if it wobbles, concrete is never level! like mentioned above if the stand wobbles rebuild if the whole stand wobbles because of the flooring then shim, you only need to shim the vertical supports not the entire bottom.