Reefer 250 not quite level

[Dweezilz]

Hey everyone. So I finally setup my Reefer 250 v1 after it sitting empty for 2.5 years. It's on carpet and when it was empty it was not quite level leaning to the front a bit. Side by side it was perfect. I put 4 plastic shims in with about .75" of the thicker end still sticking out just in case. It was perfect. Now that it's filled with water, it's leaning forward a bit again. I've contacted Red Sea to check to see what they think, but wanted to see if people here thought it would be fine. I'd really hate to have to empty it but all that's in there is the water uncycled (and sand/rock). Let me know what you think. Thanks!!

 

[anthonygf]

Shim up the front a little more. I would not like it this way.

 

[Dweezilz]

Can the shims go in with the tank full? I did leave a thicker ends of the current shims hanging out but not sure they would go in now considering the carpet and weight factor.

 

[anthonygf]

Can the shims go in with the tank full? I did leave a thicker ends of the current shims hanging out but not sure they would go in now considering the carpet and weight factor.

Get a hammer and a 2x4 if you have one and tap the shim in, it should go.

 

[RedoubtReef]

I would not shim with water in the tank. I'd shim the stand if needed and check that the stand is level before putting water back into the tank.

 

[anthonygf]

I have done a few with water in the tank with no problems. If you go slow and easy I don't see a problem with it. And I did mean the shims that is already under the stand. If you are worried a about it and can drain some water go for it.

 

[Dweezilz]

I would not shim with water in the tank. I'd shim the stand if needed and check that the stand is level before putting water back into the tank.

The current shims that are sticking out are under the front of the stand, not the tank itself just to make sure we are talking the same thing. So are you saying empty the tank and shim under the stand or leave the water in and try to shim more under the stand?

Just re-read...so you think empty the tank and shim more under the stands. I guess I can take out at least 3/4th of the water with the pump and put it back into the trash cans. Gonna be a big pain though...

 

[mudbugmike]

lol, mine is almost identical to this (reefer 350). it worries me a bit but I think it's ok.

 

[Dhaleillama]

better keep adjusting the legs until its perfect front to back and side to side. I leveled mine before adding water, and re adjusted after adding sand, rock, water.

 

[Dweezilz]

better keep adjusting the legs until its perfect front to back and side to side. I leveled mine before adding water, and re adjusted after adding sand, rock, water.

In a perfect scenario I agree that would be ideal and I would do that, but the problem is that it's on carpet and to be honest I can't even see the legs because they are sunk so far into the carpet. I suppose I could look again but I doubt it is possible.

 

[Dhaleillama]

In a perfect scenario I agree that would be ideal and I would do that, but the problem is that it's on carpet and to be honest I can't even see the legs because they are sunk so far into the carpet. I suppose I could look again but I doubt it is possible.

look at my build thread, my redsea 350 is on carpet too, I had to take the sump and floors back out and make sure all the legs have tension on them properly, and then adjust the front legs only to lift the front back to level

 

[Dweezilz]

look at my build thread, my redsea 350 is on carpet too, I had to take the sump and floors back out and make sure all the legs have tension on them properly, and then adjust the front legs only to lift the front back to level

ahh..ok. I see what you are saying. So drain the sump, take it out and then the floors of the sump area can come out with the tank full? How do you get them out? I didn't build the stand myself as I got it used so I am not familiar with how to went together. Hopefully a 6 year old 250 stand is built the same way. Also, what did you turn the legs with? Don't want to break or ruin them.

 

[Dhaleillama]

ahh..ok. I see what you are saying. So drain the sump, take it out and then the floors of the sump area can come out with the tank full? How do you get them out? I didn't build the stand myself as I got it used so I am not familiar with how to went together. Hopefully a 6 year old 250 stand is built the same way. Also, what did you turn the legs with? Don't want to break or ruin them.

so the floor has 4 rubber caps that cover the turn screws to release and then pull up on the floor, I have a 350 so its a little bigger but should be built the exact same way as far as how the floor goes together. and the legs have a jam nut and a regular I believe 10mm you can turn to screw the leg in and out of its hole and when done you snug the jam nuts back up

 

[Dhaleillama]

Do you know if it is a g2 or v3 or older? Should have a serial number in the overflow box up top

 

[Dhaleillama]

lol, mine is almost identical to this (reefer 350). it worries me a bit but I think it's ok.

This is what causes seems to pop, being unlevel on a rimless tank, you are adding more stress in the direction that the water is leaning so you don't have equal pressure.

 

[Dhaleillama]

I was this close and then I got my laser level out and adjusted to the .cm for correct height because this wasn’t even good enough to me

 

[RedoubtReef]

The current shims that are sticking out are under the front of the stand, not the tank itself just to make sure we are talking the same thing. So are you saying empty the tank and shim under the stand or leave the water in and try to shim more under the stand?

Just re-read...so you think empty the tank and shim more under the stands. I guess I can take out at least 3/4th of the water with the pump and put it back into the trash cans. Gonna be a big pain though...

Yes, I'm saying empty everything, I know a pain in the rear, get the stand level, then you should have a level tank. I've made this mistake in the past trying to get things level on carpet.

 

[Dweezilz]

Do you know if it is a g2 or v3 or older? Should have a serial number in the overflow box up top

Just says reefer250 and the receipt the guy gave me is from 2016...guessing V1.

 

[Dweezilz]

Yes, I'm saying empty everything, I know a pain in the rear, get the stand level, then you should have a level tank. I've made this mistake in the past trying to get things level on carpet.

So I did just that initially before I added water (it did have rocks in) and it was 100% level. Why would doing that without water again and refilling mean it will be level? I'd have to make it slightly uneven the other way to compensate but that's a guessing game.

 

[Dweezilz]

so the floor has 4 rubber caps that cover the turn screws to release and then pull up on the floor, I have a 350 so its a little bigger but should be built the exact same way as far as how the floor goes together. and the legs have a jam nut and a regular I believe 10mm you can turn to screw the leg in and out of its hole and when done you snug the jam nuts back up

I'm looking at the floor and see no caps. The entire floor has a stuck on rubber matt like the one on top of the stand. The sides have the rubber as well about 1/2 inch up.