Leveling a big tank

[Steve]

I just got home with 10 packs of the composite shims so I should be good. Gonna go work on it right now. Thanks for the offer though.

[Steve]

Well I gotta say, I NEVER thought leveling a tank, even a big tank like this, could be such a pain in the butt. I'm getting there but still not done, had to quit for tonight though it's just causing me too much stress this evening and it hasn't been the best of evenings to begin with

[Regalblue]

You'll get it, just be patient & take your time to do it right. Better to do it correctly,  than to have a seam break loose.

[Steve]

It's drivin me nuts Blair I tell ya. I put a small amount of water in it just so I can measure the level and it is -

LF.. 2-3/4"
RF.. 3"
LR.. 2-1/2"
RR.. 2-7/16

[Regalblue]

Did you level the stand first?  (Sorry,  I'm not reading through the thread right now)

[Steve]

Those measurements are after l spent 3 hours screwin' with trying to level the stand tonight. Before I started leveling it it was about 1.5" off on the one side and tilted about 1/2" to the front (it's the darn basement floor). So its "better" but I dunno know if I'm gonna be able to get it much better. Then again after messing with that thing for 3 hrs, having a company charge me for a defective product they sent me (not fish related) and having an order from a customer cancelled because he changed his mind 3 days after telling me to start the project....it hasn't been a good night so I'm not in the most positive of moods about ANYTHING at the moment 

Nights like this almost make me wish I never gave up drinkin'

[olliesshop]

i would shoot for no more than 1/64" when leveling. (j/k) when leveling multiple directions i find the tinker and test method to work the best, if you know anyone that works in a fabrication shop or metal shop they'll almost definitely have metal shims if the door shims scare you. they'll also be more accurate. if you dont know anyone in that line of work PM me. i'll help you out. im in wixom.

IMHO I agree.  When I leveled my 6' tank I was real anal and made custom "Full Depth" shims with my table saw to evenly distribute the load.  Personally, it would drive me nuts to have it over 1/64 or so out of level. 

Good Luck !!!

[Steve]

Well today's a new day and a bit better I guess. I got up early to give it another shot at leveling this sucker. I finally have it where it is 3/16" -1/4" off over the 7ft length, which I don't think it bad. Plus it is sitting flat and not torqued at all which was my main concern. Actually filled it about 3/4 way up (around 180/190g worth) and nothing moved, no weird creaks or scary things happened lol...besides the fact it took over and hour just to fill 3/4 of it

So I think I'm gonna be good to go now. Thanks for the advice and tips on the composite shims and such much appreciated.

[Regalblue]

I'd recommend using foam insulation board that's 1" thick & then IMO You're good.

[LoveTheFishies]

I'd recommend using foam insulation board that's 1" thick & then IMO You're good.

Where would you put the foam?  In between the stand and floor or stand and tank?
Just wondering because my brother is going to make a custom stand for me later this summer or fall.  He is a custom carpenter and my house is newer so I don't think there will be a big problem with the floor being level, but I want to be safe.

[Ron]

Where would you put the foam?  In between the stand and floor or stand and tank?
Just wondering because my brother is going to make a custom stand for me later this summer or fall.  He is a custom carpenter and my house is newer so I don't think there will be a big problem with the floor being level, but I want to be safe.

Between the tank and the stand. Since you're having a custom stand made, you can also account for the added thickness of the foam when considering the height for the trim on the stand to insure it hides both the foam and the tank trim (presuming that you're looking for a "fully finished" look).

[LoveTheFishies]

Where would you put the foam?  In between the stand and floor or stand and tank?
Just wondering because my brother is going to make a custom stand for me later this summer or fall.  He is a custom carpenter and my house is newer so I don't think there will be a big problem with the floor being level, but I want to be safe.

Between the tank and the stand. Since you're having a custom stand made, you can also account for the added thickness of the foam when considering the height for the trim on the stand to insure it hides both the foam and the tank trim (presuming that you're looking for a "fully finished" look).

Yes, I want it so you just see the nice wood on all sides, not the plastic frame. 

[Steve]

I don't really see what the need for the foam would be though since the tank sits perfectly flat on the stand? I went all the way around the tank with a piece of envelope paper making sure there were no gaps at all and there weren't any I could even get the paper to slide under. I could see if maybe there where a few high spots or something where a foam pad might help, but since it sits perfectly flat do I really want to add something if it is not needed?

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Every fish room I have visited uses some sort of foam under all of their tanks. The foam acts as a buffer so to speak against any unlevel surface, the tank has some give to it before any damage occurs.  With no foam the tank would eventually crack, break or explode if ever in an unlevel situation...

[LoveTheFishies]

I'd recommend using foam insulation board that's 1" thick & then IMO You're good.

Is 1" foam the same size for all bigger tanks?  What type of foam?  Where do  you get it?
I seem to remember mention of someone getting foam from a place on Hall road.