Best way to level a fish tank

[sgdcover]

I am planning to set up my first nano tank in Manhattan. I love living here, but as many Manhattenites know, these old buildings can have issues. Mine has MAJOR sloping floors. As much as a 3" difference over a 2 foot distance.

Does anyone know the best way to level the stand for a tank?

Thanks

-Sergio

 

[fritz]

Shims and DO NOT F AROUND WITH THIS!
It is SUPER IMPORTANT that your tank be level or it WILL LEAK.

I assume you know that which I why you posted so the above was meant more for other readers

I like to do the following.

1. Cut a piece of plywood to the size or your tank; length and width
2. Place the plywood where you stand will go and place your stand on top of it.
3. Shim underneath the plywood until the top of your stand is level.
4. Add tank and water
5. ?????
6. Profit!!!!

Ok, remove steps 5 and 6 (couldn't help it)

Do not place a tank on top of carpet because it will never be level. Cut the carpet out if you must.

That's what I do I'm sure others have alternate methods that work just as well, maybe better.

 

[sgdcover]

Thanks! Beautiful tank.

Curious, when you use the shims to you cover as much of it as possible or are the corners and say... center edge enough?

With you... probably the most important first step that many people forget about is getting the thing level.

-Sergio

 

[fritz]

This is where I defer to others. I'm no carpenter or engineer so my answer may not be correct.

I do the corners and center. That may not be the best thing to do, but it's what I do. Hopefully others will chime in with their opinions.

 

[emps]

and make sure it stays level with water in the tank. So fill it up with freshwater first to test it with all that weight on it.

 

[DevIouS]

My floors are very un-leveled as well.

Slama & Jhale were present when my tank was set-up & they used shims around the edges. Almost 2" on one end.
I'm sure if there was an issue with the center, they would have put them.

 

[autoponicz]

what kind of stand are you using?.....metal or a cabinet?.....what fritz say will work........plus a leveler will help alot...

 

[DevIouS]

plus a leveler will help alot...

Sure will.

 

[TimberTDI]

Sergio,

If your floors are as bad as you say (3" over 24") I wouldn't even mess with shims. I would built a level platform( stand measurement) to sit your tank stand on.

Steven

 

[Pedro]

I couldn't agree more. Damn 3"? That's alot to shim. Go with the platform Timber said and be done with no worries.

 

[autoponicz]

or rearrange your furniture and find a more leveled spot

 

[sgdcover]

Got it I think!!!

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to see if I can rearrange furniture a little and find a more level spot. If so I'll go with the shims. The spot I really want has the worst drop, so if I go that way, I think I'd feel safest using an leveled platform. Trick will be to get one built, but I'm sure I can figure that one out.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

-Sergio

 

[tosiek]

Shave some ice and we can go skiing in your apartment! :scratchch I'll bring over an air conditioner!

But yeah, building a small stand that accepts the slope of the floor would be a pain but thats the best way and just lay your stand and tank on that. Whats the difference in the floor where your tank is? 3" is alot to shim.

post pics or spec out your tank + stand. Prolly get better help. Usually you don't need to shim the middle of a stand if its supported the right way but that all depends on the size of the tank and such.

 

[tosiek]

btw, if you will go with a leveled platform, best is to get it close then shim it to be perfect. Talking within 1/8 of the floor irregularities then shim that 1/8 or so.

 

[sgdcover]

Tank and slope details

All, thanks again for taking the time to help me out. Really appreciate it!

Some details on the tank (I'm getting it this weekend, so I have no pics). It's a 12 gal nanocube with the standard wave stand that are offered for them. I've taken a close look at the stand and I don't think it's the sturdiest thing in the world, then again, it only has to support 12 gals. I measured the slope in the exact spot that I want the tank. It's a 1 and 1/4" difference from one end of the stand to the other. Side to side the difference is about 1/8".

BTW- I'm looking into snow makers- once I find one I'll invite everyone over for some skiing!

 

[tosiek]

There are these rubber/plastic feet on the bottom of the stand, you can just not put in the ones where the high slope is. And make yourself little 1" or 3/4" blocks for the low feet (feet that have the low points of the floor) and level it that way using shims. Think the plastic feet are like a 1/2" or so. might even be 3/4".

Used to have the 24g nano with the same crappy stand except with the cabinet. You'll be fine that way and it should be easy for you. Just paint/stain the blocks the color of your floor or even black.

 

[sgdcover]

Easier than I thought

That's great! I'll see how it works out. If it's already on feet, shims just on them should work fine.

Thank you.

-Sergio

 

[emps]

And make sure that the floor doesn't give out even more with the weight on it. What's below the boards?

 

[autoponicz]

12 gallons would be nuthing to sweat over.......wait untill u get the tank and stand in.......then u can go from there......because its all a guessing game right now since u dont have the tank/stand on hand.........do you have a leveler?......because u would want to know if its leveled from front to back and left to right.....

 

[meschaefer]

I have to ask, I have been around tools all my life... but what the #### is a leveler?

Its not a fancy carpenters term for a "level" is it?