Leveling tank on an unlevel floor

Davy Jones

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The floor in my soon to be fishroom is not entirely level. It's about 1/2" -1" from level in some areas.

I got a quote to have someone come in and level it but after buying the house, and the quote being double what was expected it won't be happening any time soon.

Is it possible to temporarily level the tank? For say a year or so?
The stand is an IM APS stand so fully aluminum.
I'm wondering if I can level the tank/stand using plastic shims.

Has anyone done this successfully? Or are there better ideas?
 

Bosreef

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Just shim the stand no?
That's what I have Always done love in a 100+ year old house nothings plum lol
Now I havnt ran anything big >100 gallons
 
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Davy Jones

Davy Jones

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Just shim the stand no?
That's what I have Always done love in a 100+ year old house nothings plum lol
Now I havnt ran anything big >100 gallons
That's what I figured. Just haven't seen any evidence of it working personally

It would be both an 80 gallon and 150 gallon tank.
 

cvrle1

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Not sure if shims would be good enough if there is a whole 1" gap. Thats a lot for shims to cover. Maybe you could put a bunch of leveling feet to the bottom of the stand and level that way?
 

Cell

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I'm always concerned about creating pressure points with shims. I'm kind of at the point where if needed, I'd probably put a piece of plywood under the stand and shim that instead of the stand itself. But that's probably overkill.
 

iambenfields

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I too live in a 100+ year old house - I used composite shims and just went ham... I had roughly 1/2-5/8" to shim from end to end and i went through an entire pack of shims. $16 worth of peace of mind
 

fishybizzness

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Just build a frame out of 2x4s and cut the bottom part touching the floor to the contour of the unlevel floor and have the top part level. You may have to take off a little at a time until the top sits level. Top it with 3/4" plywood and put the tank on top. Done..
 

harley32907

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I built a 2x4 pt frame, leveled and shim it with composite shims then bolted to the floor so it wont move when I sat stand and tank on it. 210 gal
 
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Davy Jones

Davy Jones

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Not sure if shims would be good enough if there is a whole 1" gap. Thats a lot for shims to cover. Maybe you could put a bunch of leveling feet to the bottom of the stand and level that way?
Put leveling feet on your stand
I'm not super handy, do you know of leveling feet that would work on the innovative marine APS stand?

As for those saying to build a base the stand sits on, again, I'm not a handy type of person. It'd likely he even more outta level.

I may do the plywood+ shims idea
 

BullyBee

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I can tell you as an ex-carpenter very few floors and walls are level or plumb.

I’d ask you about high spot in relation to your stand but I’d imagine others covered that.

if you’re not handy just use shims. it’ll def work for the 80g. As for the 150 you’ll have to see.
 
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