hello and a question!

[dale m]

Hey all and HELLO!!!
I am just getting back into saltwater tanks after 20 years without one. I have a 200G Marineland dual cornerflow with a manufactured stand. My floor is an old farm house and out 1/2" - 5/8" left to right. I do not want to shim the stand as it will involve a lot of shims and I don't want to have to distribute the weight over the entire base of stand.
My problem is only one overflow is getting water and the other is just trickling in.
Can I just silicone the teeth (basically raising that side) of the lower overflow so it creates an even flow into each side? Obviously the water will still not be level but it will never be visible with the lid in place anyways. Anyone ever tried this??

Dale

 

[Mjrenz]

Hey all and HELLO!!!
I am just getting back into saltwater tanks after 20 years without one. I have a 200G Marineland dual cornerflow with a manufactured stand. My floor is an old farm house and out 1/2" - 5/8" left to right. I do not want to shim the stand as it will involve a lot of shims and I don't want to have to distribute the weight over the entire base of stand.
My problem is only one overflow is getting water and the other is just trickling in.
Can I just silicone the teeth (basically raising that side) of the lower overflow so it creates an even flow into each side? Obviously the water will still not be level but it will never be visible with the lid in place anyways. Anyone ever tried this??

Dale

Welcome to the forum! I really don't think you'll get any other suggestions here besides to level the stand. With it being out of level it puts uneven pressure on the seams of the tank and the potential for a leak is very likely

 

[Jekyl]

Welcome!

Seems like you have a plan in place. Only suggestion is have is to be absolutely sure it's still a sound base. 200 gallons is around a ton of weight if I'm not mistaken. That's a lot of weight to have leaning one direction

 

[JDnKY]

Welcome to r2r Dale! Like others have said, it would be best to level the stand. The Marineland tank should have adjustable plate inside the overflow to adjust the height of the holes in the overflow. Check for that plate before gluing anything.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

#WelcometoR2R

I agree with above, you'll want the stand level, to much pressure to one side of the tank can cause stress and potential seal leaks or glass breaks.

 

[Michael Naegeli]

Welcome to r2r... I would not suggest leaving unlevel tank that big but sounds like you are anyway perhaps u could add a piece of acrylic to raise the teeth a bit superglue it

 

[Mjrenz]

Welcome to r2r... I would not suggest leaving unlevel tank that big but sounds like you are anyway perhaps u could add a piece of acrylic to raise the teeth a bit superglue it

The acrylic may work well as shims also

 

[dale m]

Thanks for the reply’s folks. The acrylic on the teeth is the same idea I have just using a bead of silicone to raise the height.
If I do shim it my concern is that the shims will only be in the edge of the stand (which probably will work) but I don’t want to cause undue stress on it either. The stand has a full bottom (though once again structurally I don’t think it has any value)

The stand is solid. Had the tank full and sitting for several days without any issues.
Keep your opinions coming. I have the tank drained now and just looking for ideas before I fill it again.

 

[dale m]

Thanks for the reply’s folks. The acrylic on the teeth is the same idea I have just using a bead of silicone to raise the height.
If I do shim it my concern is that the shims will only be in the edge of the stand (which probably will work) but I don’t want to cause undue stress on it either. The stand has a full bottom (though once again structurally I don’t think it has any value)

The stand is solid. Had the tank full and sitting for several days without any issues.
Keep your opinions coming. I have the tank drained now and just looking for ideas before I fill it again.

 

[dale m]

sorry about the double post! that'll teach me for using my phone instead of the laptop!

 

[Mjrenz]

Thanks for the reply’s folks. The acrylic on the teeth is the same idea I have just using a bead of silicone to raise the height.
If I do shim it my concern is that the shims will only be in the edge of the stand (which probably will work) but I don’t want to cause undue stress on it either. The stand has a full bottom (though once again structurally I don’t think it has any value)

The stand is solid. Had the tank full and sitting for several days without any issues.
Keep your opinions coming. I have the tank drained now and just looking for ideas before I fill it again.

If you post some pics we might be able to offer more suggestions

 

[dale m]

Here’s some pics. The level shows my required shim height. Added the silicone to the teeth to raise that side. The bottom pic is just showing the full base.

 

[Mjrenz]

You could use these under the stand and put them about every 6 inches or so to distribute the weight
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Project-...s=gateway&sprefix=Door+shi&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

 

[dale m]

Do you think just around the edge will be sound? I like that better than cedar shims.

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!! Most likely all the weight is on the outside edges so this would be where youd want to shim.

 

[Mjrenz]

Do you think just around the edge will be sound? I like that better than cedar shims.

It depends on the construction of the stand but, from what I can see, it would probably work

 

[Jekyl]

Is the tank located above a crawl or basement? Sagging beams can be managed with Jack's installed underneath. Think they run around 60 a piece. Won't completely cure the problem but will get you closer to level and also adding some foundational support.

 

[lapin]

Howdy
If the stand is solid and not rotted, shim between the stand and floor around the edge should be fine as most stands dont really use the middle for support

 

[dale m]

thanks all. It seems like the edge shimming sounds like the right idea. Heading to the hardware store now to get some.
And yes it is above a basement. 2 jackposts and crossbeams in place to support the weight.
I'll let ya know in a few hours how it turns out!

 

[Jekyl]

Outline where to tank is and move it. Take a flat edge and see where you need to shim. From there you can either use wood or even a compound used for leveling like mortar or epoxy. Get the area the tank is on level and then put it back. Better to take the time and be confident. 200 gallons is a large clean up if over time the silicone gets stressed.

 

[Mjrenz]

thanks all. It seems like the edge shimming sounds like the right idea. Heading to the hardware store now to get some.
And yes it is above a basement. 2 jackposts and crossbeams in place to support the weight.
I'll let ya know in a few hours how it turns out!

You could pick up some quarter round trim to hide the gap also