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06/05/2018, 05:54 AM | #1 |
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Leveling a large tank?
Setting up a 220 gallon. The stand I think is very uneven, just wondered if there was a better way to level it. Rather than using the plastic shims? As you can see in the picture, I would need a lot of plastic shims!
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06/05/2018, 06:35 AM | #2 |
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Is it a stand issue or a floor issue?
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06/05/2018, 08:07 AM | #3 |
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A strip of wood...
Go get a 1by and rip it some as needed for the proper thickness.. Or sometimes they have strips of oak in thinner thicknesses..
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06/05/2018, 09:07 AM | #4 |
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Just measured the floor and it’s pretty level, so must be a stand issue.
I found some leftover laminate wood flooring, it’s the kind that’s in planks and assembles like real hardwood. Looks to be laminated MDF. I measured and it looks to be the perfect size, anyone see an issue with me using this? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
06/05/2018, 09:27 AM | #5 | |
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Quote:
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06/05/2018, 12:12 PM | #6 |
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To be clear, make sure you are shimming between the floor and the stand.
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Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers |
06/05/2018, 12:13 PM | #7 |
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Yeah, that’s what I was going to do. Thanks
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06/05/2018, 12:54 PM | #8 |
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The only problem with using laminate flooring as shim material is that if (when) it gets wet it's going to fall apart.
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I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer |
06/05/2018, 04:28 PM | #9 | |
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Easiest thing is probably a bunch of shims. If trimming the bottom of stand is an option, you could level it, scribe and trim.
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06/06/2018, 08:43 AM | #10 |
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Is the stand wood or metal? Consider just shaving the 1/4" (or whatever you need) off the high side leg(s)?
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Planning newest tank... Red Sea XL 425, dual MP40QDs, dual Vectra M1 return pumps, custom fuge in sump, Apex controller, lights, etc. TBD |
06/07/2018, 07:25 PM | #11 |
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Took in what everyone said about the laminate floor as a shim. Was in Home Depot today and found PVC siding that is pretty much the perfect thickness.
Check it out, look good to you all, and is this level enough do you think? Is this gap on the sides okay? Maybe I can buy the plastic shims and fill in the voids right here? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
06/07/2018, 08:11 PM | #12 |
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To finish getting it level now u can shim between the pvc sheet u put down & the stand. I would fill in the voids with shims. At the very least u want the stand to be touching anywhere the stand has a support. So the four corners & if it has a center support u want a shim under the support. Then u can come back & add a couple shims inbetween if they are needed.
When I place a tank on carpet I find it to be easiest to place a piece of plywood the same dimensions as the stand down first, then set the stand on top of the plywood. It seems to make it easier to level & to place the shims to get it right. |
06/07/2018, 09:03 PM | #13 |
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I think I'd be wanting to know why if the floor is level the stand is not. If the stand is out of square, why? Crap shimmed is still crap.
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Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
06/08/2018, 07:49 AM | #14 |
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When you use the word "crap" of course..
But something "out of level" made "level" by the use of shims does not make it "out of level" still and does not make it "crap".. It was just something that required adjustment.. Everything has tolerances,etc... too.. Floors bowing, buildings sagging,etc... is very common and does not equal "crap".. Thats just life and the reason shims were invented basically.. No home/floor,etc... is perfectly level and if it is now there is no guarantee its going to stay level for the life of it.. "Life is about adjustments" (That should be printed on every package of shims)
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06/08/2018, 08:14 AM | #15 |
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Carpeting will compress significantly with weight.
Personally I would shim it, fill about 1/2 way with fresh water & check again.
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06/08/2018, 08:47 AM | #16 | |
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Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
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06/08/2018, 01:34 PM | #17 | |
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I agree with what u are saying. If the floor is level but the stand is not then the stand has to be twisted, which isn’t good at all. If the tank is in contact with the stand around the entire perimeter then I wouldn’t worry. |
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06/08/2018, 01:49 PM | #18 |
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It's work but worth it. Tank that size is not so good to have on carpet. The carpet and pad under it will settle as its smashed down. Like moving a couch after its been there a while it leaves squishy marks. If you can take up the carpet and tile under it. 75g you can get away with it. 220 no. Your bumping 400lbs empty 1600lbs water. That's 2000lbs there. Than rock sump. Do it right. Or you might as well shim with nerf balls.
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If it was'nt for the sea I could not see or sing ( Jimmy Buffet ) I like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other Reefing is'nt how long you been in it. It is how deep you get in it. Current Tank Info: 400g display build, 300g sump, 75g ATO, 75g refug and a few more. Close to a 1000g. 200g mixing station. |
06/08/2018, 04:18 PM | #19 |
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I've got a 75 that's about an inch lower on one corner than the opposite. Pretty sure it's the floor, but it doesn't bother me much.
IMO I agree to get rid of carpet under the tank. If you ever move the tank you'll have to do that anyways. You could modify the stand too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
06/08/2018, 04:39 PM | #20 |
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Hi All, I used the PVC trim piece and got it level, I’m happy that this is sufficient.
Removing the carpet was an absolute no can do, wife would have literally chopped my balls off I think. In my old house I had a 180 setup for 5 years on carpet and after moving the tank out, the creases from where the tanks stood came out within a week FYI. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
06/08/2018, 04:52 PM | #21 | |
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If it was'nt for the sea I could not see or sing ( Jimmy Buffet ) I like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other Reefing is'nt how long you been in it. It is how deep you get in it. Current Tank Info: 400g display build, 300g sump, 75g ATO, 75g refug and a few more. Close to a 1000g. 200g mixing station. |
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07/15/2018, 06:56 AM | #22 | |
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Steve ---------------------------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, BK DeLuxe 300, 400W MH x4, closed loops, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Ca reactor, 60G surge tanks, & a huge elec bill |
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