Unlevel tank

Mikemilly245

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20260217_185826_62F5257F-A9E7-4748-AA90-0B12DB8D3D15.png
Okay so I know this is pretty bad and needs addressing, is there any way I can get some shims and slowly hammer them under the stand ? Or does it need relocated.
 

Euphyllia098

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You can definitely shim it to get the stand level. You don't want to fill it like that. You also need to check the level left to right and front to back .

What's the stand sitting on? Aka concrete, carpet etc.
 
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Mikemilly245

Mikemilly245

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You can definitely shim it to get the stand level. You don't want to fill it like that. You also need to check the level left to right and front to back .

What's the stand sitting on? Aka concrete, carpet etc.
Okay soooo, what if I told you it’s fully setup (derp)

It’s on carpet. Didnt notice till now, think I should still be able to shimmy something under there?
 

Biokabe

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Okay soooo, what if I told you it’s fully setup (derp)

It’s on carpet. Didnt notice till now, think I should still be able to shimmy something under there?

Generally speaking - if it's fully set up, you don't want to be moving it. How big of a tank is it?
 
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Mikemilly245

Mikemilly245

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Okay soooo, what if I told you it’s fully setup (derp)

It’s on carpet. Didnt notice till now, think I should still be able to shimmy something under there?

Generally speaking - if it's fully set up, you don't want to be moving it. How big of a tank is it?
Yes preferably it would stay put, it’s a 90 gallon, I’m hoping the carpet would make it a little easier to slide a shim on the front two corners but wondering what material (plastic wood) would be best for the weight
 

Biokabe

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Just to make sure we're talking about the same thing - when you say it's fully set up, do you mean that there's water in the tank, and rock, and livestock?
 
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Mikemilly245

Mikemilly245

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Just to make sure we're talking about the same thing - when you say it's fully set up, do you mean that there's water in the tank, and rock, and livestock?
lol yes, like been setup for an embarrassing amount of time for me to not notice this. I’m thinking it happened slowly over time ? Not sure . Been a year plus
 

Euphyllia098

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Its possible the carpet settled, especially if the floor underneath was not level. Carpet can mask quite a bit.

I'd recommend draining it down as far as you can then re level it. I wouldn't recommend trying to move around full. I highly doubt full you'd be able to get shims under it without pounding them in, which I wouldn't recommend.
 

IceNein

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lol yes, like been setup for an embarrassing amount of time for me to not notice this. I’m thinking it happened slowly over time ? Not sure . Been a year plus

If it is set up on carpet, it is quite possible that this happened over time. There's carpet and then a foam pad under the carpet. What's underneath the foam pad? Are you on a concrete pad? Is this a ground floor or a second floor?

Seems very dicey to try to shim it filled. I'm not going to say it's impossible, but it sure seems improbable.
 

musselman

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It depends a lot on the kind of stand you have it on, but if it is the common sort of plywood cabinetry, I would get a good, long crowbar, at least four feet, and use it to lift at the corners, slipping in shims. Pounding them in is dicey. Make sure to keep your fingers clear.
 

Euphyllia098

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No offense to anyone, that's just not worth the risk. Get some cheap tubs at home Depot, drain the tank down to just enough water for you fish to swim. Add your rocks to the bins. Any coral will be fine for the short amount of time they are out of the water while you drain the tank. Level the stand, put your rocks back and then put the water back in. Probably would only take a few hours.

Trying to lift it up full of water is just asking for problems. It likely weighs more than 1000lb as water is 8lb per gallon, plus rocks, sand, the stand, plus the weight of the tank. Could you do it ..... Maybe and it might be fine, but what if it springs a leak, or worse yet you drop it while propping it up. Seems not with the risk vs. a few hours of work.

I have moved tanks around my house multiple times by doing what I mentioned above and have had zero issues.

Personally I wouldn't be comfortable with the tank being that unlevel, but you have to decide for yourself.
 

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