Need Help with Uneven floor

Zatai41 · Sep 27, 2018

Hi guys

I am setting up a 180G tank, in my basement ( raised/false floor by a foot)
I cut the floor by 6x2 ( tank/stand dimensions), the steel stand is now sitting on top of four 36 inches long 4x4 placed every 1.5 foot.

From one end to the other it was off by 0.25 to 0.5 inches .
I raised the 4x4 that was end of the slope by 0.5inches with wooden shims & also filled the gap on the middle two 4x4 as well.
Can/Will shims with stand the weight of a filled 180G ? If not I can always cut some 2x4's & place theme vertically along/in between the 4x4's ( I am a bit OCD... plus I have never had an aquarium over 55g)

Thanks in advance!

Zatai41 · Sep 27, 2018

btw the tank is still empy, have not filled it up yet.

Amoo · Sep 27, 2018

if it was me I would cut the 2x4s personally. If for no other reason then if the shims somehow get wet they're going to sag and fall apart. (Assuming you're using packaged shims and not ones you made.

Matt Carden · Sep 27, 2018

I have a similar issue in my living room with my 150 gallon which I had to shim from one corner out about every foot to about 3/8" low on the opposite corner. Mine is also still empty and I am also wondering the same question. Will those shims hold up to 2500#?!

txrdnk · Sep 27, 2018

There is a "composite" shim, plastic like, that supports up to 16,000 lbs. 12 for $2.00 , I've used them myself at work. Available at Home Depot, hope this helps.

Matt Carden · Sep 28, 2018

I'm going to pick some of those up when I get a chance and relevel my tank. Thanks!

davocean · Sep 28, 2018

1/4" to 1/2" is no big deal at, pretty typical, either cedar or composite shims will work and hold just fine

Zatai41 · Sep 28, 2018

Thank you for the help guys

Zatai41 · Oct 3, 2018

Is this ok ( see pic)
there's about 1/8 of an inch of difference front to back

WVNed · Oct 3, 2018

Most lumber these days is soft. I would place something like a small piece of steel to spread the load a little on the top of your shims.

Zatai41 · Oct 3, 2018

ok nvm it's off by like 1/16th of an inch only

dugthefish · Oct 3, 2018

+1 for composite shims. I use them to level steel columns in buildings, and there's way more than 2500# on some of those. Engineer approved the last time I got caught!