Additional leveling needed??

[KJoFan]

Are these readings within tolerance or should I do some additional shimming? I don’t prefer to shim if I don’t have to. All readings are within the lines but not perfectly centered. These are readings with the tank empty.

Tank is a 150g and has a 1/2” foam pad under it to help with inconsistencies. Will this be enough to do a little additional leveling as the tank fills or no? Tank is sitting on engineered wood flooring (think Pergo) that’s on top of a cement floor.

Reading from front of tank showing end to end level:

One end of tank showing front to back level:

Other end of tank showing front to back level:

 

[trido]

Id suggest throwing that pea level out and use a minimum 2 foot level for the job. If your level is accurate, I can already see a twist in the rim of the tank. You can use a 4' level and simply let it hang over the end for your front back leveling. Its'close and will probably be fine but if you have dual overflows that small amount will make a difference in how the tank drains. Perfectly level is always best, and if you do level it, make sure to use as many shims as possible. Not just a couple on the outside corners, it will eventually cause the stand to sag, and then the tank bottom.

 

[KJoFan]

Id suggest throwing that pea level out and use a minimum 2 foot level for the job. It your level is accurate, I can already see a twist in the rim of the tank. You can use a 4' level and simply let it hang over the end for your front back leveling. Its'close and will probably be fine but if you have dual overflows that small amount will make a difference in how the tank drains. Perfectly level is always best, and if you do level it, make sure to use as many shims as possible. Not just a couple on the outside corners, it will eventually cause the stand to sag, and then the tank bottom.

Haha, I have a longer 2' level but it wouldn't fit on the ends with the canopy on and I can't remove the canopy myself and no one else is home. Hence the smaller one. I don't know that there's a twist in the rim...it's rimless/eurobraced so that would be a challenge but anything is possible I suppose. I think just one end of it is slightly lower than the other and possibly the same end in the back corner is a bit low (the corner closest to the wall where the cement tends to start to slope a bit downward to the wall).

Your comments on the sagging etc are why I always hope not to have to shim as I'd rather the stand just sit solidly on the floor like it's meant to.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[FredsNJReef]

dang, I have an IM 20 Fusion Nano and I am level with a 2 foot level with the OPs first picture.

How much of an issue on a 20 do you think that is? Now I'm worried lol

 

[KJoFan]

The two foot level side to side reading from the front of the tank.

Oh, and it has a single center overflow.

 

[trido]

dang, I have an IM 20 Fusion Nano and I am level with a 2 foot level with the OPs first picture.

How much of an issue on a 20 do you think that is? Now I'm worried lol

Ive had 90 gallon tanks with more than a 1/4" low on one end for year. Small tanks really dont need to be leveled.... 75Gallon and up is where it starts to matter.

 

[KJoFan]

dang, I have an IM 20 Fusion Nano and I am level with a 2 foot level with the OPs first picture.

How much of an issue on a 20 do you think that is? Now I'm worried lol

On your size tank I wouldn't worry, the volume isn't that large that you'd be putting much more pressure on any one pane of glass. And if your reading is like my first pic..I also wouldn't worry.

I'm only checking because of the larger water volume.

 

[trido]

The two foot level side to side reading from the front of the tank.

Oh, and it has a single center overflow.

How many gallons is the tank? When I ran FW I had a 70 and 90 which not once in 15 years saw a level. They never burst a seam. Once the water level on the 90 was visibly more than 3/8" off from end to end. LOL

 

[KJoFan]

150g

Two foot level reading from end that originally showed most of out level:

 

[FredsNJReef]

Ive had 90 gallon tanks with more than a 1/4" low on one end for year. Small tanks really dont need to be leveled.... 75Gallon and up is where it starts to matter.

whew! thank you so much!

 

[Mandelstam]

Last pic looked a lot better. Before I saw that it looked like your tank was quite twisted, and that's not a good thing.

 

[FredsNJReef]

On your size tank I wouldn't worry, the volume isn't that large that you'd be putting much more pressure on any one pane of glass. And if your reading is like my first pic..I also wouldn't worry.

I'm only checking because of the larger water volume.

ok thank you for calming my nerves lol
I understand now with your size tank, it becomes more of an issue. I was reading that the mat under the tank is supposed to help out a lot.
I hope yours is steady for years to come

 

[KJoFan]

So based on the two blue level readings, first showing end to end level and second showing front to back level...concern or go for it?

 

[Mandelstam]

If checking opposite sides, front to back, and they are similar or no big difference, and the same with side to side (front side and back), I'd say go for it. But if there are any differences between them the stand is forcing a twist on the glass and that is the weakest point of glass. If the tank is just "leaning" a bit to one side is not a super big deal.

 

[trido]

^^^^^ Agreed.

 

[Mandelstam]

ok thank you for calming my nerves lol
I understand now with your size tank, it becomes more of an issue. I was reading that the mat under the tank is supposed to help out a lot.
I hope yours is steady for years to come

A mat helps with spreading load and to protect the glass from grains of sand etc. But it won't really help to level a tank that has a stand that's not level. Having soft soles on your shoes doesn't make your feet sit any straighter on the ground when walking up hill.

 

[KJoFan]

Seems like, based on the 1" of water I have in there before I stopped filling, the front right corner is the highest point. I am hoping if I shim up the back corner on that same end it will bring things more in line. The issue that usually arises in these situations is that you shim one end/corner and before you know it you've made things worse instead of better and are needing to shim all the corners. lol

 

[Mandelstam]

Self levelling flooring concrete on top of the stand is an option. Can be cast in thin layers. Of course it only works if the stand is uneven from the start, doesn't work if the problem is due to floor moving because of weight etc.

 

[FredsNJReef]

A mat helps with spreading load and to protect the glass from grains of sand etc. But it won't really help to level a tank that has a stand that's not level. Having soft soles on your shoes doesn't make your feet sit any straighter on the ground when walking up hill.

haha well put!

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I think it's fine. As long as it's definitely within the lines, I wouldn't worry.