Leveling a 125G on a wooden cabinet stand

[MichaelAngelo]

Hey Guys,

My basement floors aren't very event and now my 125G tank on a wooden cabinet stand is sloping forwards and to the left by about 2-3".

It's not like a metal stand where I can just put something under one leg to balance it... it's a long cabinet stand that'll probably warp if I put something just under one corner?

Rubber matts? spare ceramic tiles? what should I do?

 

[Toby_H]

Contrary to what most people think/say... ta tank being "level" isn't critical at all...

It is important that it sits "flat" on the stand and the stand sits "flat" on the ground... but "flat" and "level" do not mean the same thing...

But being 2~3" out of level is worth adjusting for in my book.

You are absolutely correct that you should not simply put blocks under one end of the wooden stand. This can allow the stand to bow which would mean the tank is then not sitting "flat" on the stand, which is a problem...

You will want to not only put blocks/wedges under the end of the tank, but you will want to put blocks/wedges under the full length of the stand.

I suggest you drain the tank... put blocks under the far end until it is level... then put wedges under the full length (Very Important - front and back) of the stand, then fill it back up...

 

[MichaelAngelo]

Thanks, what do you mean by wedges?

Contrary to what most people think/say... ta tank being "level" isn't critical at all...

It is important that it sits "flat" on the stand and the stand sits "flat" on the ground... but "flat" and "level" do not mean the same thing...

But being 2~3" out of level is worth adjusting for in my book.

You are absolutely correct that you should not simply put blocks under one end of the wooden stand. This can allow the stand to bow which would mean the, tank is then not sitting "flat" on the stand, which is a problem...

You will want to not only put blocks/wedges under the end of the tank, but you will want to put blocks/wedges under the full length of the stand.

I suggest you drain the tank... put blocks under the far end until it is level... then put wedges under the full length (Very Important - front and back) of the stand, then fill it back up...

 

[Road]

the hardware store sells shims there small but good for the fine tuning you'll need.
"wedges" think of it like a wedge of cheese or pie shape.

 

[Toby_H]

the hardware store sells shims there small but good for the fine tuning you'll need.
"wedges" think of it like a wedge of cheese or pie shape.

Yup that's what I meant... shims, not wedges...

...it's been a long day..........

 

[Fishman0]

I reacently had to move my 75 tank only a slight amount and found that it was DEFINITELY worth draining to do so...

the shims are usually sold in packs but just make sure you support any pare of the stand base that is off the ground. you'd be amazed at how much wood can bow over time, especially with the weight of your tank.

if the difference is to large and would require a lot of shims (they are usually less than 1/4" in height) you may consider using one LARGE shim made from a 2 X 4.

Measure the height the tank is unlevel of, 2-3", and the length that the base would be suspended off the floor and cut the 2x4 on a diagonal from the 2" corner to the floor length. that way you would have the load sitting on the entire base not just a few points

 

[JL]

I reacently had to move my 75 tank only a slight amount and found that it was DEFINITELY worth draining to do so...

I know this is of no help but all the proper info has already been given. I just thought this was funny.

Was moving it while full a possible option for you? I mean we're talkin 800lbs and some change not including stand.

 

[Fishman0]

no not moving it 100% full... i was considering using an autovotive jack to move it away from the wall only a few inches. not lifting it by hand. so i just ended up moving the tank while it was almost completely empty.

btw just tryin to put in my 2 cents

 

[MichaelAngelo]

OK thanks for help so far... I actually measured how unlevel the tank is!

So here're the stats, I did this using the current water line.

If I set one corner as the baseline:

Front right: 0" (baseline)
Front left: 2/5" (1cm) lower
Back right: 2/5" (1cm) lower
Back left: almost 1" (almost 2.5cm) lower

So is this worth draining the tank and starting all over again??? =( LOL

 

[Mattyou]

Why not build a small platform to put the stand on and level it, then set the tank and stand on it. Sounds like your floor is very bumpy.