Tank is level but not sitting flush

[CaptainKiwi]

So I've just put my 100 gallon tank on the stand and I've realised that in one corner/along the side the tank is not sitting flush at all. That gap runs along the short side of the tank to the back corner where it does sit properly. I have trying using shims but it doesn't seem to help.

Putting my spirit level in the tank shows that it's definitely level. Since it's on a polystyrene board (recommended by manufacturer) and the tank is very heavy, could I just wait until it sinks a bit to be flush or is this something I will have to correct? And if I do have to correct this, what would be the best method?

 

[That Crusso Kid]

So I've just put my 100 gallon tank on the stand and I've realised that in one corner/along the side the tank is not sitting flush at all. That gap runs along the short side of the tank to the back corner where it does sit properly. I have trying using shims but it doesn't seem to help.

Putting my spirit level in the tank shows that it's definitely level. Since it's on a polystyrene board (recommended by manufacturer) and the tank is very heavy, could I just wait until it sinks a bit to be flush or is this something I will have to correct? And if I do have to correct this, what would be the best method?

It has to be the polystyrene that is not accurate. I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you are, just run a water test (fill your tank with regular tap water) and see how it settles.

 

[exnisstech]

I would probably go with a thinner pad like a yoga mat. Maybe also use a long strait edge to verify the wooden top is perfectly flat. I lost two tanks to a stand that wasn't perfectly flat which caused the tank twist slightly and crack the bottom panel.
Also never shim the tank. Any shim needed is for leveling and you want to level the stand not the tank.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

I would probably go with a thinner pad like a yoga mat. Maybe also use a long strait edge to very the wooden top is perfectly flat. I lost two tanks to a stand that wasn't perfectly flat which caused the tank twist slightly and crack the bottom panel.
Also never shim the tank. Any shim needed is for leveling and you want to level the stand not the tank.

I do like yoga mats too. However, I think he said that the manufacturer recommends polystyrene. If he were to use a yoga mat I wonder if they might try to void the warranty.

 

[exnisstech]

I do like yoga mats too. However, I think he said that the manufacturer recommends polystyrene. If he were to use a yoga mat I wonder if they might try to void the warranty.

I would probably reach out to them for options to be safe before filling it.
That white stuff looks like the same stuff for shipping containers or cheap coolers are made of.

PS. I used the pink insulation panels when I set my old 180g and it held up well for years. That white Styrofoam as we always call it just doesn't instil confidence.b

 

[CaptainKiwi]

It has to be the polystyrene that is not accurate. I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you are, just run a water test (fill your tank with regular tap water) and see how it settles.

That was the plan - I have to wait 72 hours to fill the tank otherwise my warranty is void

I would probably go with a thinner pad like a yoga mat. Maybe also use a long strait edge to very the wooden top is perfectly flat. I lost two tanks to a stand that wasn't perfectly flat which caused the tank twist slightly and crack the bottom panel.
Also never shim the tank. Any shim needed is for leveling and you want to level the stand not the tank.

In order for my warranty to stand (pun intended) this is the material that has to be used - it is a 25mm EPS70 insulation board, I was told I could not used regular polystyrene. Before I put the tank on I verified the stand was level and flat. For sanity, here are the levels in the tank currently:

and when I lay it level:

My level is accurate to 0.5mm

 

[That Crusso Kid]

I would probably reach out to them for options to be safe before filling it.
That white stuff looks like the same stuff for shipping containers or cheap coolers are made of.

I used the pink insulation panels when I set my old 180g and it held up well for years. That white Styrofoam as we always call it just doesn't instil confidence.b

All good and agreeable points. I wonder if they said "polystyrene" with meaning the pink, firmer panels in mind.

Whatever the case, best to contact the manufacturer.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

That was the plan - I have to wait 72 hours to fill the tank otherwise my warranty is void

In order for my warranty to stand (pun intended) this is the material that has to be used - it is a 25mm EPS70 insulation board, I was told I could not used regular polystyrene. Before I put the tank on I verified the stand was level and flat. For sanity, here are the levels in the tank currently:

and when I lay it level:

My level is accurate to 0.5mm

Out of curiosity; how long is the level you are using and how long is the tank?

 

[CaptainKiwi]

Out of curiosity; how long is the level you are using and how long is the tank?

Tank is 1.8m and level is 1.2m

 

[RabidDragon]

when removing the foam... is the surface flat? "Level" does not nessarily mean "flat"

 

[Freenow54]

So I've just put my 100 gallon tank on the stand and I've realised that in one corner/along the side the tank is not sitting flush at all. That gap runs along the short side of the tank to the back corner where it does sit properly. I have trying using shims but it doesn't seem to help.

Putting my spirit level in the tank shows that it's definitely level. Since it's on a polystyrene board (recommended by manufacturer) and the tank is very heavy, could I just wait until it sinks a bit to be flush or is this something I will have to correct? And if I do have to correct this, what would be the best method?

I don't know why people put Styrofoam under a Tank. Seriously I want to know. But if the Tank is empty no problem to me

 

[CaptainKiwi]

when removing the foam... is the surface flat? "Level" does not nessarily mean "flat"

From all my checking before it was, I laid the level flat so that I could use the horizontal one and everything looked ok. Tank is super super heavy so not keen to move it again but will if I have to of course.

 

[CaptainKiwi]

So I've just put my 100 gallon tank on the stand and I've realised that in one corner/along the side the tank is not sitting flush at all. That gap runs along the short side of the tank to the back corner where it does sit properly. I have trying using shims but it doesn't seem to help.

Putting my spirit level in the tank shows that it's definitely level. Since it's on a polystyrene board (recommended by manufacturer) and the tank is very heavy, could I just wait until it sinks a bit to be flush or is this something I will have to correct? And if I do have to correct this, what would be the best method?

I don't know why people put Styrofoam under a Tank. Seriously I want to know. But if the Tank is empty no problem to me

My tank is rimless, apparently for rimless tanks specifically it can help reduce the effects of twisting

 

[DanP-SD]

Can you get the tank onto its side and use a straight edge to confirm the tank bottom is flat? If it’s not, I’d return it but most likely it is.

Assuming the tank bottom and stand top are both perfectly flat, the issue is irregularities in the polystyrene panel. You could replace that easily enough from any Home Depot but I wouldn’t worry about irregularities in the foam. Those will disappear as soon as the tank is heavy enough to compress it a bit.

 

[RabidDragon]

From all my checking before it was, I laid the level flat so that I could use the horizontal one and everything looked ok. Tank is super super heavy so not keen to move it again but will if I have to of course.

if you're positive the primary wood surface is flat... with that gap between the tank and foam it can only idicate: the foam is not of a consistant density through-out and/or its is not uniform in its thickness.

 

[mcarroll]

Well, so far I hear "everything is flat" when the pic show that cannot be the case.

Either the stand, the styro, or the tank is not flat. (forget about level, that is confusing the matter IMO)

Re-measure each one until you can tell which is not flat and then post back.

(I would be showing the same pic to your vendor and try to get THEM to answer instead of us.)

 

[CaptainKiwi]

Well, so far I hear "everything is flat" when the pic show that cannot be the case.

Either the stand, the styro, or the tank is not flat. (forget about level, that is confusing the matter IMO)

Re-measure each one until you can tell which is not flat and then post back.

(I would be showing the same pic to your vendor and try to get THEM to answer instead of us.)

I feel at this point remeasuring everything is the only way... will do it later today and report back here

 

[X-37B]

If it is level and not making contact on the one end you can shim the bottom corner of the stand. That should bring it up in contact with the tank.
I would wait the 72 hours fill and see if it levels out. If it does its the foam not the stand and you should be good to go.

 

[W31Olds]

I your second pic you are not using the level correctly. More than likely the wood top is not flat and low in that corner.

 

[CaptainKiwi]

I your second pic you are not using the level correctly. More than likely the wood top is not flat and low in that corner.

I have the tank off the stand now, what would be the best method to make sure the top is flat?

As I've typed this I've just set it up like this:

And I now have this on the far left level...

Not totally flat...