New tank leveling question

[MuffinMonster]

Hey all, just set up my new reefer 250 last night, got the stand built and the tank onto the stand. When using a level the bubble is not perfectly in the middle, the tank sits maybe 1/8 inch lower in the rear, and roughly a 1/4 inch lower on the left. Would those minor issues be worth trying to correct? Or should I fill with water and re-check it first? It is only a 54 gal, so i was thinking it would be fine. Just wanting to check with all of you since I am fairly new to this still, thanks for any information.

Attached pictures of the level for reference below:

 

[sharpimage]

Structurally I think you are fine. You might see the water level difference from left to right though. Shims are easy before it is wet and heavy

 

[MuffinMonster]

Structurally I think you are fine. You might see the water level difference from left to right though. Shims are easy before it is wet and heavy

The only other thing i was thinking about, i was playing with shims last night on just the stand before i put the tank on and red sea reefers have all these little feet underneath, as soon as i put a shim under one of them it raises up the other feet near it, its just a weird process and not sure if that small amount of difference was worth the hassle of putting shims under the 10 different feet on that left side and rear just to make it perfect. Also i bought standard wood snapping shims from lowes, was maybe worried these would compress with all the water and tank weight on them over time and just go back to how it is now? Or are they pretty solid?

 

[Silent]

You can also use granite shims they use to level pool tables.

 

[homer1475]

For that little bit out, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Paul B]

As a construction electrician (and an artist) that would be to far out for me and I would never be happy seeing the water level at the top of the tank out of whack like that.

 

[MuffinMonster]

As a construction electrician (and an artist) that would be to far out for me and I would never be happy seeing the water level at the top of the tank out of whack like that.

Thanks for the reply! Should i just use standard wood shims from a hardware store then and put them under all the little feet of the cabinet on the lower side then to raise it up? Or would you go about it a different way? Its a concrete floor in an industrial building, the floor is over 100 years old though and is not perfectly flat which is causing the issue.

 

[S.Pepper]

You'll be fine and i'll bet you won't be able to see the difference at the top of the tank when filled with water with that little of difference... especially with this size of tank.

 

[sharpimage]

Also, the water will be moving on the surface, so I take back what I said about seeing it.

 

[S.Pepper]

You'll be fine and i'll bet you won't be able to see the difference at the top of the tank when filled with water with that little of difference... especially with this size of tank.

Here's a picture of my tank with about being the same amount out front to back.

 

[tonydig11]

My JBJ 65 was off by the same as you. Once filled and wave maker and flow going you can't visually see the water line difference.

 

[MuffinMonster]

You'll be fine and i'll bet you won't be able to see the difference at the top of the tank when filled with water with that little of difference... especially with this size of tank.

This is also what I was thinking, I’m going full SPS too and plan and having a consistent small wave during the day so it’ll be going back and forth at the top pretty good anyway. Here’s a photo of when I was playing with the shims but ended up taking them out as I got the tank on the stand. Getting quite excited about the upgrade from my IM 30L! Just want to make sure I’m getting this tank set up right since it is a bit larger in water volume and heavier.

 

[Paul B]

Thanks for the reply! Should i just use standard wood shims from a hardware store then and put them under all the little feet of the cabinet on the lower side then to raise it up? Or would you go about it a different way? Its a concrete floor in an industrial building, the floor is over 100 years old though and is not perfectly flat which is causing the issue.

No, don't use wood. After it gets wet it will rot and eventually disappear. I use vinyl floor tile from Home Depot. The ones that come 12" X 12". Buy one or two tiles. Sometimes you can find broken ones that they will give you for free. They are about 1/8" and probably the right size. You can cut them with a scissors.

 

[MuffinMonster]

No, don't use wood. After it gets wet it will rot and eventually disappear. I use vinyl floor tile from Home Depot. The ones that come 12" X 12". Buy one or two tiles. Sometimes you can find broken ones that they will give you for free. They are about 1/8" and probably the right size. You can cut them with a scissors.

Stopped by Menards today on lunch, they have vinyl flooring samples, just took 4 different samples, they are roughly 12" long, 6" wide and 5mm thick, will cut them up and see what i can do with them. Thanks for the idea, they feel really solid! Also picked up a pack of composite shims for if i need them for other minor adjustments. Will be leveling it tonight!