uneven floor

[richg315]

so while trying to situate my new 40b in its spot i noticed when filled with water that my floor is a bit uneven. When i measured the difference is literally half of a quarter inch side to side. Front to back its even but the sides are off just a bit. Would this be an issue for the tank down the road?
Rich

also, what do you guys clean your new tanks with before filling with livestock? Its only been a couple years since my first setup but cant remember what i used to sterilize the tank. Thanks!!!

 

[tropills]

Over time it will put stress on the seams of the glass.. better to shim it now then risk a failure down the road.. I've alaways used a little vinegar and water to clean the glass on new tanks..

 

[richg315]

whats the procedure for shimming? never had to do this before

 

[tropills]

Drain your tank about half way and use the water as your level .. shim the low sides of the stand not the tank.. you can use wood shingle shims to adjust it.

 

[iamwrasseman]

i would shim it every three to four inches also .

 

[Jacwil]

i would shim it every three to four inches also .

+1....no pinch points

 

[Johnsy85]

Shim the stand, not the tank!

 

[iamwrasseman]

yes the stand ~ never the tank ~

 

[captain7359]

is the stand base in one plane? if just one corner is low/high, then that's an issue, but if everything is in plane and just slopes left/right, then it's just aesthetic and not stressing the tank. If the tank sits evenly on the stand and the stand sits evenly on the floor then don't worry. if the stand rocks, then shim it between the floor and stand at the corners. if the tank rocks on the stand that's a little more worrisome and I'd flush it out with a piece of plywood and liquid nails and shims between the stand and ply. My 180 is level & flush at the left end and low 1"+ front right and 3/4" back left, so I have a huge shim on the right side under the stand.
If everything sits square and doesn't rock or have a gap at the corners then don't worry.

 

[richg315]

for the most part the stand sits evenly on the floor, but the floor sloped a bit. Its causing literally 4mm variance in water level left to right. Went to depot and bought composite shims and placed under left side and got the water level as even as possible. I will also shim every 3 to 4 inches to support even weight on stand. Does this sound ok? Is it virtually impossible to get a tank and stand dead even?

 

[tropills]

Yep that's all there is to it.. not impossible to get it perfect, just tricky..

 

[magdelan]

If your tank is against a wall, I'd be willing to guess that the side "sagging" is the side furthest from the corner. If that's the case, you may want to try a floor jack in the basement below the tank. You would have to empty enough water from your tank in order for the floor to flex back up though before tightening the jack.

 

[Steve Canyon]

If your tank is against a wall, I'd be willing to guess that the side "sagging" is the side furthest from the corner. If that's the case, you may want to try a floor jack in the basement below the tank. You would have to empty enough water from your tank in order for the floor to flex back up though before tightening the jack.

If it turns out the floor is sagging due to the weight of a 40 gallon tank (that being less than the weight of an average executive chef:thumbsup: joking Mike) I'd be looking for a new abode. Seriously though, I would think level within and 1/8" (half of a quarter) is better than the vast majority of set-ups!

 

[jdoenumber2]

Jack the floor. Problem solved.

 

[Jacwil]

If I had some extra 2x's laying around and a decent jack I might go that route but to go purchase this stuff just for an 1/8" is way overkill IMO. You bought some shims, slap them puppies in there and call it done :beer: