Leveling an acrylic tank- 75gal

[Stevesw718]

Hello! Looking for ideas, was setting up a new acrylic tank, has a flat bottom, the stand is a flat top, not solid wood. I put a little water in to see how leveled it was, had to shim/raise one side about 3/8 to 1/2 inch. But then I thought, towards the middle there is nothing supporting and I’m guessing the weight of a full tank would bow the tank and/or stand.
Looking for ideas or product I could use? I was think of using two leveling aquarium mats? One between the tank and stand and another under the stand.. does a thicker 1/2 inch leveler exist? Thanks

 

[fishguy242]

hi , any stand pics ?
would recommend solid base top & leveling mat

 

[Stevesw718]

Yes, it is solid top stand, just wondering if I can double leveling mat, one muster the stand and one on top, under the tank, the level is off on one side

 

[AydenLincoln]

Not an emergency! There’s no such thing as perfect either and I’d go with leveling mats!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

"Leveling mats" aren't for leveling an unlevel stand , they're for evening out slight imperfections in the top of the stand that might cause stress on the bottom of the tank... If you need to shim, shim the stand, not the tank.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Hello! Looking for ideas, was setting up a new acrylic tank, has a flat bottom, the stand is a flat top, not solid wood. I put a little water in to see how leveled it was, had to shim/raise one side about 3/8 to 1/2 inch. But then I thought, towards the middle there is nothing supporting and I’m guessing the weight of a full tank would bow the tank and/or stand.
Looking for ideas or product I could use? I was think of using two leveling aquarium mats? One between the tank and stand and another under the stand.. does a thicker 1/2 inch leveler exist? Thanks

Not an emergency.

 

[Stevesw718]

Not an emergency.

Yes, if someone could update, thanks

 

[Stevesw718]

"Leveling mats" aren't for leveling an unlevel stand , they're for evening out slight imperfections in the top of the stand that might cause stress on the bottom of the tank... If you need to shim, shim the stand, not the tank.

since the stand is no solid wood, does the entire length of the stand need to be shimmed? I was going to shim just the one side that was off, but the gap in the middle did not look right…

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

since the stand is no solid wood, does the entire length of the stand need to be shimmed? I was going to shim just the one side that was off, but the gap in the middle did not look right…

What gap?
Shims are usually less than an inch long so shouldn't cause any gaps

 

[Stevesw718]

What gap?
Shims are usually less than an inch long so shouldn't cause any gaps

The stand I have is not solid wood, the top and bottom of the stand is one flat piece, there are no legs. If i shim one side 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch, in the middle of the stand, it does not come in contact with the wood floor. Which is my concern, the stand has a support brain in the back and front middle

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

The stand I have is not solid wood, the top and bottom of the stand is one flat piece, there are no legs. If i shim one side 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch, in the middle of the stand, it does not come in contact with the wood floor. Which is my concern, the stand has a support brain in the back and front middle

Stands that do have legs (or more likely, feet) don't have all parts touching the ground either... but why can't you shim the middle too?

 

[fishguy242]

shim bottom ,end to level , then shim bottom middle under supports,
then leveling mat under tank

 

[Stevesw718]

Thanks all, going to order air shim and try to shim as best possible. the gap in middle is very thin, will maybe try using cardboard.

Alternatively, what’s an acceptable +/- for the leveling of stand/tank to be off? Acrylic tank with a plastic-ish type of stand, I don’t know the material, but def not wood. The bottom of stand is flat and flush with the wood floor.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

How many gallons are we talking about?? You may want to invest in a wood stand...

 

[fishguy242]

is this a tank stand combo ?

 

[Stevesw718]

How many gallons are we talking about?? You may want to invest in a wood stand...

75gal, the stand came with the tank, bought from another hobbyists. I have a wood stain from my glass tank, but the middle is empty, and the stand needs some tlc

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

75gal, the stand came with the tank, bought from another hobbyists. I have a wood stain from my glass tank, but the middle is empty, and the stand needs some tlc

I wouldn't put 75 gallons of water on a plastic stand, but that's just me.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Any pics ??

 

[Fishy888]

How many gallons are we talking about?? You may want to invest in a wood stand...

Or DIY a wooden stand if you have the skills. I built mine for a 90 gallon cube although I need to make doors for it. There are many designs you can find on here and on Google. If done right you’d be able to put at least twice the weight of a full 75 on it and your stand wouldn’t break a sweat. Oh and if a little water spills on it you won’t have to worry that your stand will warp.

I’m pretty sure your stand is made of MDF that’s been laminated, so it looks and feels like a plastic of sorts. Neither plastic or MDF are good materials for an aquarium stand, unless we’re talking 10 gallons or less.

 

[Stevesw718]

That yoga mat wont be there permanently. What best way to level or should just leave as it?