Innovative Marine Stand owners --- Leveling Base or No Base

[Summitwynds2]

Did you use the leveling base or not? And what made you decide?

Im setting up my 112INT and am having difficulty deciding whether I should use the leveling base or not.....

The floor is level, so leveling it isn't an issue.

Pros:
The sump area is off the floor by 5" - makes it a little easier to work in
The tank will hide the woodstove flue (I could put a cap on it and paint it)

Cons:
I will only have about 14" above the tank (lights/maintenance could be difficult)

Tank will be a mixed reef, Im planning on putting SPS in the center, surrounded by low light corals and space around the perimeter.

Dont mind the dropped ceiling mess--- opened it up to see if there were any 2x4s to attach lights to.

 

[RoanokeReef]

Did it come with the leveling base or is it something you added? If you added it, I wouldn't use it as in the rare event you have an issue that will be the first thing, they blame to deny to warranty.

Thats going to look awesome where you're putting it :) Good luck with the build.

 

[Summitwynds2]

It cam

Did it come with the leveling base or is it something you added? If you added it, I wouldn't use it as in the rare event you have an issue that will be the first thing, they blame to deny to warranty.

Thats going to look awesome where you're putting it :) Good luck with the build.

It came with the stand and tank. Instructions say using it is optional.

Thanks ..... Looking forward to getting this going, but cant change my mind once the tank is on the stand.

 

[Summitwynds2]

Got my Bashsea 3018 sump today. I put it on top of my stand to take the protective paper off.

Then realized that IF I take away the leveling base, that would be where the top of the tank would be. That would leave about 19" of space above the tank.

IF I dont take away the leveling base, the top of the tank would be where the tops of the white pipes are on the left. That would leave about 14" of space above the tank.

Tank (not shown) - is 21.7"
Sump is 16"
Leveling base is 5"

Thoughts? Keep the Leveling Base or Not

 

[Summitwynds2]

Emailed Innovative Marine - They confirmed that its optional to use the leveling base and its something new that they are including with certain tanks. Such a shame not to use it, but I think I need that extra 5" for headroom over the tank.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Mine came with the base adhered to the tank. Wasn't even an option.

 

[Summitwynds2]

View attachment 3816768 View attachment 3816769 Mine came with the base adhered to the tank. Wasn't even an option.

This one is separate and was totally put together. Nice piece. I took it out.

 

[Aaron75]

Emailed Innovative Marine - They confirmed that its optional to use the leveling base and its something new that they are including with certain tanks. Such a shame not to use it, but I think I need that extra 5" for headroom over the tank.

Wow, really good move on their part. My biggest critique of their stands prior to now was lack of leveling feet. Really cool.

 

[Fish Fan]

If leveling the tank isn’t an option, I’d go without it. You’ll appreciate the extra headroom to get rocks and livestock in and out of the tank, or just for maintenance.

 

[Summitwynds2]

If leveling the tank isn’t an option, I’d go without it. You’ll appreciate the extra headroom to get rocks and livestock in and out of the tank, or just for maintenance.

Went without it.

 

[elmareefer]

Yes
Same instructions from IM says it’s optional
It adds 5inches of height which I didn’t care for

 

[Jamie9]

i went back and forth on that as well and wound up using it. I like that if I get a leak, all my electronics and stuff that live in the cabinet will be well off the floor. But...it's really quite a big height add, and I've got a cube so now my tank is quite tall...my wife has made it very clear she wishes I hadn't used the stand!

 

[Fishcrisp]

i went back and forth on that as well and wound up using it. I like that if I get a leak, all my electronics and stuff that live in the cabinet will be well off the floor. But...it's really quite a big height add, and I've got a cube so now my tank is quite tall...my wife has made it very clear she wishes I hadn't used the stand!

Ended up keeping it?

 

[Jamie9]

Ended up keeping it?

I kept it. I still personally could go either way, but I'm tall and it doesn't make anything difficult for me...plus I live in an old house and this reef tank is probably now the only level thing in it. And...once I filled that tank...well it's there for life.

 

[Fishcrisp]

I kept it. I still personally could go either way, but I'm tall and it doesn't make anything difficult for me...plus I live in an old house and this reef tank is probably now the only level thing in it. And...once I filled that tank...well it's there for life.

Nice tank! For some reason mine seems slightly uneven, so I may end up adding the leveling frame. I really don't want to since it's a 100-gallon system and it's already set up, but I also don't want to take any chances.