Leveling a tank

[mumra]

Does anyone have experience leveling large tanks? I have a Waterbox 220 that for some reason is about a 1/4" out of level. I have the little feet on the bottom maxed out to the proper sides and you would think being in a basement it would be a firmer and flatter floor be easy to level. But alas it is not. I have a pro I can hire but damn it's expensive.

 

[project1004]

Why not just use wood shim or plastic shims?!
It’s that easy. 1Gallon of water weights about 8lbs. Drain and level using shim and fill back up~

 

[mumra]

Why not just use wood shim or plastic shims?!
It’s that easy. 1Gallon of water weights about 8lbs. Drain and level using shim and fill back up~

Sorry I left that out. I have quite a lot of shims under it now.

 

[wantsummora acropora]

Hey all, My tank is unlevel by 3/8” side to side. Front to back is no problem. Is/will this be an issue? Tank is 5’x2’x2’, stand is aluminum T-slot designed by an engineer. Preferably I would like to address this issue in about a year if it can wait.

 

[mumra]

Thanks for the reminder. I'm still crooked. I even tried using steel shims. I'll get a pic up later. I've tried draining 44gal worth and still nothing. I have quite a lot of livestock in it now so I can only take out so much.

 

[NOSMADA]

1) find high point of floor relative to the location & foot print of tank stand
2) adjust 1 or 2 leveler feet on that end / high side, up into frame that would rest on this Hight point in floor
3) spin out the opposite side , the other two until level
4) if the thread length is short spin foot back in and put shims under the leveler foot / feet to take up some of that elevation distance, and level
Maybe your floor is so pitched that you need to know more about the floor and go back to step 1

 

[project1004]

Hey all, My tank is unlevel by 3/8” side to side. Front to back is no problem. Is/will this be an issue? Tank is 5’x2’x2’, stand is aluminum T-slot designed by an engineer. Preferably I would like to address this issue in about a year if it can wait.

So that’s about 180 Gallon in a rimless?!? I assume?!? That’s about 180g x 8lb+ for your water weight of 1440lbs plus rocks corals and wtc in your tank.

Flow in the tank is moving lots of water pressure with it. Just a thought.

 

[mumra]

1) find high point of floor relative to the location & foot print of tank stand
2) adjust 1 or 2 leveler feet on that end / high side, up into frame that would rest on this Hight point in floor
3) spin out the opposite side , the other two until level
4) if the thread length is short spin foot back in and put shims under the leveler foot / feet to take up some of that elevation distance, and level
Maybe your floor is so pitched that you need to know more about the floor and go back to step 1

My leveling feet are maxed out on both ends. Its like it just sinks into the floor but I'm in the basement of a house built in the 1950s so there's no where else to go.

I was thinking of trying to make some sort of jack system or a big lever to get the low end up and the put something larger under it to hold it. IDK

 

[wantsummora acropora]

So that’s about 180 Gallon in a rimless?!? I assume?!? That’s about 180g x 8lb+ for your water weight of 1440lbs plus rocks corals and wtc in your tank.

Flow in the tank is moving lots of water pressure with it. Just a thought.

150gal eurobraced almost 6yrs

 

[project1004]

Ya, eurobraced is a different story and should be fine. Rimless, maybe concern. My 3foot tank looked horrible unleveled.

 

[project1004]

My leveling feet are maxed out on both ends. Its like it just sinks into the floor but I'm in the basement of a house built in the 1950s so there's no where else to go.

I was thinking of trying to make some sort of jack system or a big lever to get the low end up and the put something larger under it to hold it. IDK

Maybe take the leveling feet off and use shims around the base?!

 

[wantsummora acropora]

I apologize for not being clear about my concerns. My question is:
Is 3/8” enough to worry about on a 6 year old 5’x2’x2’ 1/2” eurobraced tank on a metal stand?
Shimming is out of the question. I’m going to have to drain most of the water from the tank, remove the sump, remove the base and adjust 6 out of 8 feet

 

[project1004]

I personally think your tank being eurobraced…. It should be okay at 5’ apart….
I have 3’ tank and the water line was noticeably uneven. Probably was close to 1/2”. Took me 2 months before getting to it though. Rimless and it was bothersome. If it bothers you?!? I go ahead and do it but if you are okay 6yrs still good why bother?! Keep it simple.

 

[wantsummora acropora]

Well, If I can hold out for a while i will. I want to replace my sump with a custom one and I’ll have to do the same work all over again which is going to be a nightmare.

 

[project1004]

Big sump I m a fan. Customer sump usually sucks. Doesn’t it, lol.

 

[mumra]

Maybe take the leveling feet off and use shims around the base?!

Easier said than done. But after post below this has me thinking that I should try pulling the sump to do this. Otherwise I don't see how I could even get the weight down to remove the feet.

 

[wantsummora acropora]

My sump is too tall and a hassle to do maintenance. I want to lower it 2”, widen it 3” and lengthen it by 12”. That means I have to go custom. Considering doing a diy acrylic.

 

[project1004]

Easier said than done. But after post below this has me thinking that I should try pulling the sump to do this. Otherwise I don't see how I could even get the weight down to remove the feet.

Ya, I dont think you should continue to try to level it with so much weights on it. It may even damage the stand structure as you trying to lift the tank. As forethe removing the sump, Its tons of weights under the tank. You should at least remove the water from the sump you like.

That being said, I dont know how many tanks are percisely leveled??? There has to be some uneven settling? The foams were used to allow weights to settle organically but it didnt work fofr my small 48gallon system. It also was trapping water under. Maybe they meant to use it between the stand and the glass?

In your case, its a one day job. You will want to remove all the water and rocks -.- 1/4" tilt from 6' maybe barely noticible? If you ant pushing tons of flows in the tank, It should be alright.... How often do we hear anyones tanks leanking from unevened tanks? Just a thought.

 

[mumra]

The tank as of right now. Full pic:

Right side:

Left side:

 

[project1004]

IDK. Maybe someone with large system can chime in.

I assume that’s with the flow off?!
That’s 3/8” off but it’s noticeable to my eye but I don’t think your tank will have negative effects.
The tank looks like it has very “thick seals”.