How to level an aquarium stand?

[sree]

Hi,

I have a pretty big gap on one corner of the aquarium stand as shown in the picture. This is due to the uneven basement floor. All the other three corners are sitting tight on the floor. Can I use shims on the corner or should it be shimmed all long the side? I could shim the short side (shown in the picture), but the long side close to the wall is impossible to shim since I only have a 2" clearance there. What is generally done in this situation?

Thanks a lot

 

[sree]

The picture is shown here.
http://www.picpaste.com/stand.JPG">http://www.picpaste.com/stand.JPG</a>

[IMG]http://www.picpaste.com/stand.JPG" alt="" />

 

[smallblock]

shim as much as you can

 

[smallblock]

you dont want gaps this will cause stress on the stand and possibly bend or crack it, its supporting alot of weight

 

[smallblock]

ok i see the stand now, yeah get it level by shimming that corner, then just fill in as much as u can with smaller shims.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Ace of Spades;517493 wrote: If you don't have the material/tools, they should sell a bundle pack of thin cut shims at home depot. The ones I saw were for framing doors, so check around the door section at the store. Should fix you right up.

+1. If you can't cut your own, this would be the next best thing. A pack of shims is cheap and you can stack them if needed. I'd start at the corner and work my way along the side. If you had the tools, you could cut a wedge that would just take up that space and then slide it under (cut it slightly larger and let the weight of the tank settle it).

 

[mvm]

Agreed to the comments above. If you don't fix that, you'll have a leak in no time.

 

[sree]

porpoiseaquatics;517530 wrote: +1. If you can't cut your own, this would be the next best thing. A pack of shims is cheap and you can stack them if needed. I'd start at the corner and work my way along the side. If you had the tools, you could cut a wedge that would just take up that space and then slide it under (cut it slightly larger and let the weight of the tank settle it).

Thanks. I bought some shims today. If this doesn't fit well, I will make some of my own. How about the back side of the stand? If this corner needs the shim, won't I need to shim all the gaps along the back side? Since the tank is close to the wall, I wont be able to get behind the tank to shim that side? How do I solve this issue?

Thanks again

 

[grouper therapy]

If the size of the gap is fairly consistent across the back adjust your shim size to fit the corner you have pictured then slide the stand away from the wall and superglue the shim to the bottom of the stand. Just use very little so that you can remove the shim for future locations.

 

[rbredding]

shims will actually create a point load where they are installed.. as GT hinted above, it's best to rip a 2X4 or other "wider blocking" to support the entire perimeter of the stand.

another thing that people arent' mentioning is that when you load a sump with water and equipment under the stand, it will create unnecessary stress on the bottom "floor" of the stand. so it should really be shimmed throughout the "field" of that area under the stand.

 

[sree]

Rbredding;517674 wrote: shims will actually create a point load where they are installed.. as GT hinted above, it's best to rip a 2X4 or other "wider blocking" to support the entire perimeter of the stand.

another thing that people arent' mentioning is that when you load a sump with water and equipment under the stand, it will create unnecessary stress on the bottom "floor" of the stand. so it should really be shimmed throughout the "field" of that area under the stand.

Good point.. I was just thinking of the sump issue this morning. Even if I manage to shim around ther perimeter, the 40g sump that I have will create additional load in the stand bottom. How about a 1" styrofoam? Will this help?

 

[jonathan]

Another option is use a pourable leveling solution for the top of the stand. I created a dam with duct tape and poured Envirotex Lite into the area. It depends on if you plan on moving the tank to a different location at a later time. Let me know if you need additional info on this approach.

 

[sree]

Jonathan;517767 wrote: Another option is use a pourable leveling solution for the top of the stand. I created a dam with duct tape and poured Envirotex Lite into the area. It depends on if you plan on moving the tank to a different location at a later time. Let me know if you need additional info on this approach. http://www.jserve.net/slides/IMG_1341.html">http://www.jserve.net/slides/IMG_1341.html</a>[/QUOTE]



Thanks for posting those pics.. Its a cool idea