Shim It or Leave It?

[Turnage]

My 80g AIO tank appears to have shifted on me after filling it with water and rocks. My digital level says the tank is leaning forward at -0.9 degrees. The tank is 23 5/8" wide. With those numbers it looks like I would need to raise the front of the tank just under 3/8" to make it perfectly level. Should I leave it or try to level it. Leveling it will not be easy as Innovative Marine uses extruded aluminum for their stand. I feel trying to hammer a shim under the corners will bend the aluminum in.

And thoughts or experience in this situation?

 

[Dom]

I would off load the water to a few Brute cans, level the tank and then load the water again.

 

[NanoSteam]

I had the same experience but used the leveling feet so it was an easy fix, I'd do what @Dom suggested.

Maybe empty half of the water and quickly shim. Hopefully that's still enough weight so you can shim it correctly.

 

[BonnieB]

I would off load the water to a few Brute cans, level the tank and then load the water again.

That’s what we did with one of mine that we had the same issue.

 

[Turnage]

I had the same experience but used the leveling feet so it was an easy fix, I'd do what @Dom suggested.

Maybe empty half of the water and quickly shim. Hopefully that's still enough weight so you can shim it correctly.

I almost used that but decided last minute to leave it out. Thought it made the tank too high off the ground. That stupid thing is still in my garage... laughing at me.

 

[UncommonSense]

I almost used that but decided last minute to leave it out. Thought it made the tank too high off the ground. That stupid thing is still in my garage... laughing at me.

Look for the longest plastic shims you can get!

— the longer shims typically have the same maximum thickness as the shorter ones, but a much shallower ramp angle; allowing them to be tapped in under a loaded stand with much less effort!

— consider using a block of wood against the back of the shim when hammering it in… this can save your floor, and the shim!

 

[NanoSteam]

I almost used that but decided last minute to leave it out. Thought it made the tank too high off the ground. That stupid thing is still in my garage... laughing at me.

To be fair it sits very tall with the platform so you're either viewing it standing up or sitting on a bar stool.