Shimming

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TvanB1

Mostly Fish; Few breeding projects underway
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Hey,
Setting up my new tank and want to get some opinions on how/if I should level my tank. Its on a concrete floor. The stand does not wobble and the base of the tank is nearly perfectly flat on the top of the stand (no gaps). The tank is in my garage and the floor seems to be very slightly off level. Im worried that I will warp the stand more than anything else if I try and stick composite shims under the base unevenly as it would be impossible to get it to taper perfectly evenly.
Below are pictures of the 2-foot level.

Front of the tank (left to right)
6E9B5158-520E-4AEF-BEC7-621484E1AEFA.jpeg

Side of the tank (front to back)
900B1793-41EB-4887-9FA9-D945573184DE.jpeg
 
Most modern garages slightly slope externally (1/8" to 1/4" per foot). Level and shim in the final tank location.
 
Most modern garages slightly slope externally (1/8" to 1/4" per foot). Level and shim in the final tank location.

Would I have to place the shims directly side by side tapering off to zero or are they fine ~2-3” apart?
 
I prefer cedar shakes (shingles) over composite because they taper to a finer edge. To be safe I go side by side, making sure they are all tight to spread the load as best I can. Once things have settled, I cut them back. Even exposed, you barely notice them.
 
I prefer cedar shakes (shingles) over composite because they taper to a finer edge. To be safe I go side by side, making sure they are all tight to spread the load as best I can. Once things have settled, I cut them back. Even exposed, you barely notice them.

^^^This^^^

More shims = better load distribution. Don't trim them off for a couple weeks to allow for any compression - you might need to tap a few in a bit more and if you've already trimmed them it's a pia.

As an added bonus, cedar shims are like $2.99 for about 60 of them.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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