How would you level it?? 54G corner

[PPBlimpy]

How would you go about leveling this tank?

House was built in 1890 and have the original hardwood floor.
The corner where we are putting the tank is no where near level.
Floors are supported fine and all the structure is good underneath.

It is a solid base stand, no leveling feet. I had similar issues with my big tank in the same room but at least there I had leveling feet and had to add support under the tank so I was able to "adjust" some of it out.

I have seen tapered shims that would install but looking for other ideas maybe.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

@Troylee

 

[Marco_99]

How bad is it and what floor covering is the stand on

 

[fishface NJ]

I have always used composite shims.

 

[BryanM]

Shims is what I'd do

 

[commod0re]

honestly I can’t think of a better solution than shims

you could add your own leveling feet with a drill and threaded inserts for wood, but it would require taking the tank off the stand so you can flip it over

I would probably do the shims and then cut and finish some longer pieces of wood to hide the gaps

 

[PPBlimpy]

shims worry me a bit due to localized pressure points. If it was on cement slab or something I would be fine with them. I am probably overthinking it.

little more info.
When the tank is backed into the corner and held level there is almost a 1/2" gap on the front right area of the stand

Very out of level. I can probably go under the house and support with a adjustable stand and lift a lot of that out.

I am actually thinking about building a small platform. Tank is lower to the ground then I prefer anyways so raising it up a bit wouldn't hurt.

Taking 3/4 plywood and cutting two of the 1/4 round pie shapes to match the stand profile.

10 Adjustable leveling feet attached to one of the 1/4 rounds.

The top is the adjustable piece, the lower would be so spread the weight out across the floor more evenly.

That sitting on top of the other 1/4 round - and adjustable platform basically. Would raise the tank 2.5". Once said and done I can ad a trip piece around and never notice it.

hope that makes sense. it works in my head

 

[PPBlimpy]

honestly I can’t think of a better solution than shims

you could add your own leveling feet with a drill and threaded inserts for wood, but it would require taking the tank off the stand so you can flip it over

I would probably do the shims and then cut and finish some longer pieces of wood to hide the gaps

tank is coming off one more time anyways to paint the stand. i just replied and have an idea for a adjustable platform. probably overkill but i like being overkill.

 

[commod0re]

tank is coming off one more time anyways to paint the stand. i just replied and have an idea for a adjustable platform. probably overkill but i like being overkill.

I like the platform idea a lot actually, something like a power tool mobile base but for your tank stand, and with leveling feet instead of heavy duty casters

 

[X-37B]

Shims are all you need my ext 170 was 1/2" off on one end.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I like the platform idea a lot actually, something like a power tool mobile base but for your tank stand, and with leveling feet instead of heavy duty casters

exactly.

i did something similar for my s1000 except i didnt have to build the top half. the aluminum extrusion and leveling feet were built into the stand.

but with the s1000 i built a "frame" that the tank and leveling feet sat all its weight on and spread over the floor. my house is built on 24" centers in the floor so the spans are big, there is no subfloor, just tongue and groove hardwood. that is approx 3/4" thick.

 

[PPBlimpy]

Shims are all you need my ext 170 was 1/2" off on one end.

should have mentioned in the original post. even though the floors and rafters are in good shape. my rafters are 24" on centers and there is no subfloor. just 3/4" thick tongue and groove. i do worry about localized points flexing the hardwood. I think i have answered my own questions. i am going to build a platform basicly.

 

[Fish Fan]

How far out of level is it?

I second using composite shims, they are water resistant (proof?) and easy to use/install:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/TimberWolf-0-25-in-x-1-4375-in-x-7-3125-in-12-Pack-Plastic-Shim/5014632657?store=1817&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-mlw-_-ggl-_-PMAX_MLW_000_Priority_Item_Omni-_-5014632657-_-local-_-22867879127-_-&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23527008195&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W8acf-CJrAJZY-vsnq8jPIoI&gclid=CjwKCAjwzevPBhBaEiwAplAxvm8we8AZ5hdvVnMKAwuDyIjp1ZV8lsq9jZPu78acJ_jVt_nMgkXSnhoCQbgQAvD_BwE

 

[PPBlimpy]

How far out of level is it?

I second using composite shims, they are water resistant (proof?) and easy to use/install:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/TimberWolf-0-25-in-x-1-4375-in-x-7-3125-in-12-Pack-Plastic-Shim/5014632657?store=1817&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-mlw-_-ggl-_-PMAX_MLW_000_Priority_Item_Omni-_-5014632657-_-local-_-22867879127-_-&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23527008195&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W8acf-CJrAJZY-vsnq8jPIoI&gclid=CjwKCAjwzevPBhBaEiwAplAxvm8we8AZ5hdvVnMKAwuDyIjp1ZV8lsq9jZPu78acJ_jVt_nMgkXSnhoCQbgQAvD_BwE

I forgot to ad that to the original post but 1/2" in one corner.

I mentioned the floor and rafters are good but i didn't meantion the house was built on 24" centers and there is no subfloor, only 3/4 think tongue and groove hardwood. so localizied shims worry me

 

[Troylee]

Shims will be fine. Just make sure to shim the stand to the floor and not the tank to the stand.

 

[Slider162]

Know someone with a 3D printer and can draw a circle and a square in Fusion 360? If the floor is crooked, get ChatGPT to get you the individual measurements.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I do 3d printing and cad work. I quickly knocked out a leveling platform and bought some adjustable legs from Amazon. There is a 1/2” difference in the floor. dang old houses

 

[RSNJReef]

That looks great!!

 

[PPBlimpy]

Update.

Got the tank filled and running last weekend. Leveling stand worked well. Set the level with the 3 corner feet with tank on stand empty. Then brought the other feet down to touch + 1/2 turn.

the feet have a rubber section with a bit of give so I assumed there would be enough flexability to support everything fairly reasonably. The 2 layers of 3/4ply probably helped stiffen everything also.

all is good and tank is full