/ Register

  1. Do you have an old account but can't access it?


    See Accessing your GIRS Account or Contact Us - We are here to help!

Tank Leveling Question

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by JB, Sep 1, 2013.

  1. Sep 1, 2013 #1
    JB Marion

    JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    5,146
    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0

    I have a new 90G Deep Sea Neo tank & stand that I'm in the process of setting up. It's roughly 36"w x 24"d x 24"t.


    Left to right it is almost perfectly level, but the back is lower than the front by about 1/4".


    Normally, I would just use shims to make it level, but the design of the stand makes that a little less practical (it has a solid peice of wood on both the top and bottom of the stand.


    Researching this with Google has got me mixed results/opinions. I have an email out to the company but I probably won't hear anything back until after the weekend. The tank seems pretty well constructed, so my gut feeling is that it probably wouldn't be an issue, but it is making me a bit nervous.


    Any opinions?


    Thx.


    -JB
     
  2. Sep 1, 2013 #2
    Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,292
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I've always used shims underneath the stand to make it level. Better safe than sorry. Plus later on when its filled with water it will drive you nuts if you notice the water level isn't even (or it would me anyways!)
     
  3. Sep 1, 2013 #3
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    6,044
    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    If its a well built tank I don't think it will cause any issues structurally, but 1/4' is quite a bit to be out of level. I would try to shim the stand to at least get it closer. Can you shim the entire low edge so the load is carried across the entire bottom?
     
  4. Sep 1, 2013 #4
    mpivit Dubuque

    mpivit Well-Known ReefKeeper

    494
    Dubuque
    Ratings:
    +28 / 1 / -0
    My gut says you know the right answer.
    Will it be ok? Probably.
    Is it the right way to do it? NO


    Honestly 1/4 inch over 2 feet will bug the hell out of you. My fireplace mantle is 1/16 off over 6 feet and i notice it and regret it.
     
  5. Sep 1, 2013 #5
    MXC207 Cedar Rapids

    MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    I rushed on my frag tanks and didnt take the time to get them perfectly leveled and it bugs me. It sucks but jus take the time now to shim it.
     
  6. Sep 1, 2013 #6
    Kpotter2 North liberty, IA

    Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

    3,721
    North liberty, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    Well I have had over 100 tanks setup in my life time and 1/4 off level from front to back is very common. It has never given me a problem and I would say even after leveling mine as best I could its still not perfectly level. Having it on a sturdy stand and as level as possible should be fine and I would have no problems sleeping at night.

    Any thing more then a 1/4 inch I would say do some more leveling, but I was 1/4 off on my 220 and I leveled it a bit more and got it a little better.

    I would do what you feel you can live with and sleep well.

    KP
     
  7. Sep 2, 2013 #7
    Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,292
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    How close to the wall will the tank be? If you have 6-8" maybe you could lay the shims down first and then set the stand down on them?
     
  8. Sep 2, 2013 #8
    JB Marion

    JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    5,146
    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0

    Thanks for the input guys. I'm not really concerned with the asthetics of it. I'm more concerned with the cure being worse than the disease. What I don't want to do is put too much stress on the bottom of the stand or cause the tank to not sit flush on the stand (which it does right now).


    Again, normally shims would not be an issue, but this stand has a solid bottom.
     
  9. Sep 2, 2013 #9
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    6,044
    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    If its a well built stand I think most of the load would still be along the vertical sides. The solid bottom would transfer some of the load across it, but for the most part would be preventing lateral movement in the stand. Shim under the sides well as you would a normal stand I would say you would be just fine. Just don't shim it in any way that would cause a twisting of the stand.
     
  10. Sep 3, 2013 #10
    JB Marion

    JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    5,146
    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    FYI, I did hear back from the manufacturer this morning and they gave me the proper way to shim it (which is basically what blackx-runner posted above.).

    TravisG is going to cut me some shims that will go completely across the bottom of the stand, then I just need to shim the sides in a few spots and I'm done.

    Thanks everyone for your input.

    -JB
     
  11. Sep 3, 2013 #11
    Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,816
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Ill have them cut and delivered sunday. Unless u will be available Saturday.
     
  12. Sep 10, 2013 #12
    Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,816
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Well??? Get water in it? I know its level! Haha u said sand and water on Saturday. Why no updates? Lol
     
  13. Sep 10, 2013 #13
    JB Marion

    JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    5,146
    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    Yep, It's got water it in now. I mixed water in the tank, so it took a couple of days for it to clear up.

    I just posted a build thread here.

    http://www.greateriowareefsociety.org/Forums/tabid/78/aft/31670/Default.aspx

    -JB
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 26, 2015

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...