Leveling an aquarium stand

[JingoFresh]

What is the best way to level an aquarium stand? My floor slants down on an angle.

I have shims underneath but they have not helped as much as I thought.

I was thinking about putting wood under it and planing it to be even, but what would would work best?

 

[Sk8r]

Shims bought at the store are generally pine, and very soft. Hardwood would work better. I don't know if you can buy refrigerator-style levelers, which use leveling screws and little feet to adjust tilt. If it is extreme, that would be the best. You need something not compressible, because if it's heavy now, it'll weigh like a refrigerator when full.

 

[Sk8r]

Yep, Grainger Hardware does sell leveling feet. If you can attach without splitting the wood on your stand, might help.

 

[davocean]

Most of us use cedar or composite shims and either work just fine.
Shim tank while empty, double check after full.
Post pics if you think there is something more going on.

 

[laga77]

Composite shims are available at any big box hardware chain. I would not use any leveling feet because that only carries the load at the corners and the stand could sag in between. Or, the load is carried by the fasteners which will split and fail over time. Just shim wherever and as much as possible and you will be fine.

 

[JingoFresh]

I have shims underneath, and they do not work as well as I thought. Tank is full at the moment and it has been OK, but as I am moving it I am taking the chance to give it a more solid base.

It was suggested in the past a solid base is better as it will support the weight better, as with shims there is no support under the middle of the tank.

Just wondering which hardwood would be best...planning to go to home depot and buy some wood and plane it today.

 

[hogfanreefer]

If you have multiple shims (every few inches)you accomplish the same thing. Trying to plane a single piece of wood to exactly match the slope needed sounds really hard to me?

 

[laga77]

There is no significant weight being transferred to the middle of the base. It is all around the perimeter.

 

[davocean]

I don't understand what makes you think the shims aren't working?
What type of floor are you on?
I agree, levelers fail either at threads or connecting points easily, and I don't like any metal around SW unless it's powder coated or sealed somehow, and they will only help at 4 corners as mentioned.

 

[billdogg]

I don't understand what makes you think the shims aren't working?
What type of floor are you on?
I agree, levelers fail either at threads or connecting points easily, and I don't like any metal around SW unless it's powder coated or sealed somehow, and they will only help at 4 corners as mentioned.

What dave said. Composite shims are my go-to. They don't crush and are very easy to use. Yes, you should support the stand at as many points around it's perimeter as you can. The easiest way is to use a shim every few inches all the way around. Sure, you can use a long piece of wood cut and planed to the correct angle to do the same thing, but it seems like way more trouble than it would be worth.

jm.02

 

[JingoFresh]

What dave said. Composite shims are my go-to. They don't crush and are very easy to use. Yes, you should support the stand at as many points around it's perimeter as you can. The easiest way is to use a shim every few inches all the way around. Sure, you can use a long piece of wood cut and planed to the correct angle to do the same thing, but it seems like way more trouble than it would be worth.

jm.02

After I put the shims in, I noticed a crack in my stand. I asked on here in a thread, and people said it was because the weight was distributed unevenly and that to either get a new stand or put it on a new base.

I'm opting for the base at the moment. I just bought some plywood and a plane, and it seems like it wont take much to plane it correctly.

I can't afford a new stand right now and would rather not make one, and I am too uncertain regarding shims. I have them all around the perimeter but there is nothing supporting the center.

 

[davocean]

You should post some pics.
I'm a carpenter, planing ply sounds like a whole lot of work if you can even do it, I wouldn't even try.

 

[billdogg]

You should post some pics.
I'm a carpenter, planing ply sounds like a whole lot of work if you can even do it, I wouldn't even try.

Again, what dave said. I'm not a carpenter, but I do a lot of fine woodworking. You could, I suppose, plane the edges of plywood, but the face? no thanks.

Post some pictures that show the issues and we can probably give you some pointers

 

[ericarenee]

You should post some pics.
I'm a carpenter, planing ply sounds like a whole lot of work if you can even do it, I wouldn't even try.

This i agree with.. The only way you will ever get the plywood right is to shim the stand then scribe the ply Make a jig for your table saw or router table . A Hand Planer is only going to tear the ply apart and make a mess..

Cedar or composite shims are Best . the only other option is to shim it right in a few places and squeeze Leveling Grout under the rest of it.. (not good on the floor)

I Also would not try this seems like too much un needed work.

I Am too a Carpenter

 

[Duke4life]

So many carpenters on here lol

Level the tank and measure the gap, then measure distance till you hit the floor. Now take to a cabinet shop and ask them to make you a piece

 

[Shock and Awe]

JingoFresh,
How unlevel are you?