Help! My tank's not level

[maestro]

Problem...
I just filled my 57g tank to start my cycle/livestock transfer. Everything seemed pretty level before I started filling it, but now it appears that the tank is tipped forward slightly. There is about a 3mm difference between the back water level and the front water level. I had a 90g tank in this same spot for 3 years with no issue (also slightly tipped) but the brace/frame/hood hid it. I'm a bit over-meticulous about things so I HAVE to fix it before it gets too late

Question...
Once I empty the tank:
A. Should I try to level the whole stand?
B. Should I just level the tank on the stand?

If A, what should I use?
If B, what should I use? (i considered laying new pennies or a long strip of rubber across the inside rim of the stand)

The pic shows how subtle of a tilt i'm dealing with, but a rimless tank with even the slightest uneven waterline kills the effect

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(sorry for the quick bad photo, pay attention to the water line, not the overall tilt of the pic - lol)

 

[myvwrock]

i can't even tell

 

[dakota9]

Drain half the tank (think BIG water change) and level the stand, never just the tank...

 

[maestro]

My wife couldn't either until i pulled out a ruler to measure the front and back water levels. its very very very subtle, but it's driving me nuts already. lol

 

[maestro]

myVWrock;499252 wrote: i can't even tell

My wife couldn't either until i pulled out a ruler to measure the front and back water levels. its very very very subtle, but it's driving me nuts already. lol

 

[myvwrock]

dakota9;499253 wrote: drain half the tank (think big water change) and level the stand, never just the tank...

+1

 

[jcusmarine]

I will let someone else chime in on shimming the tank while full if it is possible as I don't know, but if you do empty you should check the floor level and then level the tank on the stand. You can shim the stand with the tank on it until you settle in on level.

I honestly can see the difference in the pic though.....

 

[eric b]

Just get a piece of the pink styrofoam that homedepot sells and place under tank and the tank should sink slightly into it would probably be the easiest.

 

[maestro]

:doh: i had to take two trips to fill my four 7gallon bottles with salt water - if i need to drain the tank and the sump i'm gonna need more bottles. there goes my saturday....

 

[misu]

Do you have a basement? I used a foundation Jack to level mine

nice setup btw

 

[myvwrock]

you could always just put a canopy on it , and you would never know

 

[maestro]

misu;499262 wrote: Do you have a basement? I used a foundation Jack to level mine

nice setup btw

I have a basement, but the ceilings are over 20ft high down there, I don't think jacking is the answer. lol

thanks... It's a work in progress

myVWrock;499263 wrote: you could always just put a canopy on it , and you would never know

Surely you jest :lol2:

 

[maestro]

Dakota9;499253 wrote: Drain half the tank (think BIG water change) and level the stand, never just the tank...

myVWrock;499257 wrote: +1

grrr

jcusmarine;499258 wrote: I will let someone else chime in on shimming the tank while full if it is possible as I don't know, but if you do empty you should check the floor level and then level the tank on the stand. You can shim the stand with the tank on it until you settle in on level.

We think alike - this is exactly what I want to do, but the majority says level the stand, too. I'll wait on a few more comments in hopes that they agree with you

 

[myvwrock]

you could always just put a canopy on it , and you would never know

 

[puffer9375]

You need to shim the stand NOT the tank.

 

[jcusmarine]

puffer9375;499272 wrote: You need to shim the stand NOT the tank.

Yup, but with the tank ON it.

 

[jeffh]

Something that is handy for this situation and large water changes...garden totes. At Home Depot in the gardening section they will have totes that are like large buckets...they hold about 20 gallons. I use them if I need to reaquascape and they are perfect for making up saltwater in. Very handy things to have around and they are pretty cheap. Just give it a good cleaning with vinegar, a couple good rinses and it should be ready to use.

Jeff

 

[acroholic]

Go to Lowes and go to their hardware department. They sell bar stock metal in aluminum and steel. Buy a flat piece of aluminum strip. You should be able to get very close to the needed thickness of 3mm. They come in 2-4-6 foot lengths and varying widths (you shouldn't need more than 1/2"-3/4" width). Get whichever one is appropriate for your needs. Cut this just a bit shorter than the length of your tank stand bottom. Drain out most of the water from the tank into an appropriate container. Your Illuminata is not a huge tank, so you should be able to so this easily. Stand in front of the tank and with even pressure, lift up on the stand front to raise the front edge of the tank/stand off the floor a couple inches, then while you are lifting, have your wife or someone slide the aluminum strip under the front edge of the stand and situate it so it is a bit in past the front edge of the stand to hide it. Let the stand down and you are done. If the tank is on carpet you will never see it.

Put the water you just drained out back into the tank.

Done it this way several times. I am just like you in being a bit anal about stuff, so you are not alone.

 

[miami dolfan]

I had a similar problem when I had a 125 in Fl. and used a piece of shingle under my stand.

 

[maestro]

myVWrock;499257 wrote: +1

jcusmarine;499258 wrote: You can shim the stand with the tank on it until you settle in on level.

I honestly can see the difference in the pic though.....

misu;499262 wrote: I used a foundation Jack to level mine

nice setup btw

puffer9375;499272 wrote: You need to shim the stand NOT the tank.

Miami Dolfan;499312 wrote: I had a similar problem when I had a 125 in Fl. and used a piece of shingle under my stand.

Thanks for all of the responses. ARC forums has really been valuable during my build

JeffH;499279 wrote: Something that is handy for this situation and large water changes...garden totes. At Home Depot in the gardening section they will have totes that are like large buckets...they hold about 20 gallons. I use them if I need to reaquascape and they are perfect for making up saltwater in. Very handy things to have around and they are pretty cheap. Just give it a good cleaning with vinegar, a couple good rinses and it should be ready to use.

Jeff

Thanks for this idea - I picked up a 32 gallon Rubbermaid Brute for the job; It's my new best friend! In the process, i noticed Home Depot running a little penny hustle :sad: The 32 gallon Brute sells for roughly 9.4 cents a gallon while the 44 gallon sells for about 9.7 cents a gallon. I assumed the smaller one would cost more, but i digress....

Acroholic;499304 wrote: Go to Lowes and go to their hardware department. They sell bar stock metal in aluminum and steel. Buy a flat piece of aluminum strip. You should be able to get very close to the needed thickness of 3mm. They come in 2-4-6 foot lengths and varying widths (you shouldn't need more than 1/2"-3/4" width). Get whichever one is appropriate for your needs. Cut this just a bit shorter than the length of your tank stand bottom. Drain out most of the water from the tank into an appropriate container. Your Illuminata is not a huge tank, so you should be able to so this easily. Stand in front of the tank and with even pressure, lift up on the stand front to raise the front edge of the tank/stand off the floor a couple inches, then while you are lifting, have your wife or someone slide the aluminum strip under the front edge of the stand and situate it so it is a bit in past the front edge of the stand to hide it. Let the stand down and you are done. If the tank is on carpet you will never see it.

Put the water you just drained out back into the tank.

Done it this way several times. I am just like you in being a bit anal about stuff, so you are not alone.

This is exactly what I did. I drained the tank and sump, tipped it, then stuck 2 of the aluminum strips under there - et voila! :yay: Thanks