How Level?

[Don Trinko]

I just got a 75 gal and a wood stand. Where I want to put it it is 3/8" out of level.(I would have to raise one end 3/8" to make it level) I can do this but I am reluctant because the wood stand makes contact to the floor on all 4 sides. If I raise one end and put shims in it will not make 100% contact.
I have shingles and all the stuff to do it but I'm wondering if I'm better off with 100% contact and 3/8" difference in water level from end to end? Thanks Don T.

 

[GoldLenny]

I don't think that is a dangerous amount of canting but it would be noticeable when the water level drops below the top rim of the tank. My 65G 48"x18" footprint tank is off by 1/4" where one end is higher. I've had it set up for 3 years now with no problems. Of course, it's an acrylic tank so it's a little more flexible than glass tanks but I don't think that little bit would cause any excess stress to the tank. My stand is on carpeting so I did not see the unlevelness showing up until I had the tank nearly full and the stand sunk down fully into the carpet and padding. When my water level gets below the rim, it's noticeable and I top off the tank.

What you could do is use a base plate board of plywood or some other wood, maybe 3/4" thick or more. Then shim that base plate board to make it level, then sit the tank stand on it. Put shims all around the base plate board every 6-12 inches to make sure it is properly supported.

Will this be on a carpeted floor or some other type of hard flooring? If carpeted, the shims will be hidden by the carpeting. If some other type of hard flooring, you could add 1/4'er round or shoe molding along the visible edges of the base plate board after trimming the shims back so they are flush. Paint the base plate board and molding the same color as the stand and it would look professionally done.

Do not do any of this while the tank is full of water.

 

[Rooster]

Its more than I'd like, can you not plane a little off the legs ? Or, how about some of that quick setting epoxy under the "low" legs (if the stand has legs)

 

[Tolak]

What you can do is shim the low end to level, then place shims along the unsupported length in a few places. This will provide support along the length. Door & window installation shims are great for this, just slide them under to where they fit snugly, score with a razor knife, and snap off the excess that sticks out.

Most of my tanks are in the basement, which has a concrete floor that slopes to a floor drain. 4 foot stands start out with a
1/2"x2" board under the low end.

 

[Don Trinko]

It is on a wood floor and my wife has already decided that I will level it! It does not have legs. The bottom suports is 1x4 edfgewise continuous around the perimiter that is reinforced in the middle. I plan on doing what Tolak suggested. I also have some metal stands for 29 g tanks. The newer metal stands are flimsy compared to this wood stand.. Thanks; Don T.

 

[GoldLenny]

Remember that if the gaps at the stand base become a cosmetic issue, you could still use shoe molding painted to the color of the stand to cover up the shims/gaps.