Shimming tank didn't work

[Brandon0034]

So my tank is not level and I tried to add shims but now I think the stand is the problem. It's a 125g tank 72" long and using a leveler it isn't off by much but over the 6ft span you can clearly see the difference in the water level. When I added a few shims to the lower side they definitely built up pressure and seemed to raise the tank but when checking the leveler I saw no difference.

In the pictures you can see it isn't far off and over the 6ft span the gap is about 1/8" but I want this right. Could the stand be the problem?

I just want to know if anyone else has had the problem actually be in the stand. Its a nice wooden stand and my floor is tile, so the only give I can expect would be in the stand itself. I plan on upgrading to a larger tank this summer so it isn't detrimental but I would like to be able to fix this problem before running into it again with a larger tank in a few months.

 

[jml1149]

Is it really a problem?

 

[Brandon0034]

Well I've heard of people having tanks burst due to uneven pressure and obviously this is a much smaller difference, but the back to front angle is worse. The shims wouldn't fix the east/west or north/south leveling issues. I'm OCD about a lot of things and want this to be proper, especially if I'm stepping up to a 225g for saltwater this summer.

 

[Jimmer12]

Just curious when you buy your 225 will it use a steel stand or a wood stand?

 

[Brandon0034]

I'm looking at the Deep Sea Aquatics 225g because of the unique dimensions with much more depth so I intend to use their stand which is wood. I'm not sure if it's reinforced with metal at all but I would imagine its just wood. Are you suggesting I look into steel?

 

[figuerres]

Glass can and will break if it has odd pressure points. Acrylic is a bit different, but I have not had an acrylic tank myself.

Who made the stand ?
A home built one might have some issues if the builder has not done this before.

Also even a tile floor might not be level, you should check it.
And is the tile on a concrete slab or over a joist floor - wood under tile can move or sag.

Also that second photo I am not sure what we are looking for.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Your tank will be fine, it's a hair off and IMO isn't an issue. I would let it go as is if it were mine.

 

[ca1ore]

Not sure I really understand. Shimming can correct out of level along any dimension. Are you shimming between the stand and the floor? If a tank is level when empty but not when full, then a sagging floor is the likely culprit. If the stand is deforming as the tank fills it is not safe and should be discarded.

 

[Brandon0034]

figuerres -It's a tile floor poured on a concrete slab. The tank and stand were bought together from a manufacturer, but it has been some time which is why I think the stand may have warped over time. Roughly 10 years old. The second photo is to show the distance between the water and the trim because on the other side there isn't a gap.

ca1ore - The shims were placed between the floor and the bottom of the stand, but wouldn't change the reading on the leveler.

In the picture the leveler is barely off but considering the tank is 6ft long it looks to be off much more. Similar to how a 1* trajectory across the ocean is minute compared to 360* but can be off by hundreds of miles after the length of the trip.

 

[Jimmer12]

What I was thinking was if you went with a steel stand I would have it built with threaded leveling screws at each corner. Then you can get it "dead nuts" as we like to say in the tool and die industry. Then skin the steel stand out with a wood fascia.

 

[Brandon0034]

Yea I have seen people using that approach and I like the idea, although its hard to pass up the extended 7 year warranty by DSA if you use their stand :/

 

[reefer1970]

Add 2x4 supports to the inside of the stand between the doors in the middle and on sides. Shim the whole length of the side not just a matchbook under one corner. Ideal shim would be pressure treated lattice material or paint stirrers or yardstick in a pinch

 

[jstrange]

Several shims along a length is the way to go. Otherwise you will "point load" that corner. Not good.

 

[davocean]

Looking at that bubble that much out can transfer to a good bit out in a 6' span.
Will your tank fail from that alone, most likely not, but it would drive me nuts looking at that waterline.
Maybe show a pic of how you shimmed.
Also, is your level accurate?

 

[gottalikesharks]

I would think you should shim it when it is empty, not full

 

[chimmike]

Tile floor can most definitely be out-of-level too. Don't discount that!

 

[rfurst]

I think you are at very little risk with such a little small. worst damage is probably to your psyche form seeing it. Just add a bit more water so the water level is behind the trim.