Tank level off

[DomiD]

Hey fellow reefers

I'm looking for advice/help my red sea 350 has gone off level

When upgraded tank put level on all was fine the bubble was between lines I didn't check it again whilst I filled(lesson learnt now)

It appears the tank has sunk on the right by approx 5mm

I have checked my floor level today around the right side back there appears to be a slight downward slope towards the wall so I've been thinking if I pull tank out from wall about an inch where the floor is more level this might sort the issue the other way is to shim where it is

What is the best way to correct this I've spoken to a few people over facebook and my lfs and would love to hear what people have done either sucsusfuly to rectify the issue or unsusccesfully some of the recomadtions I've had is to use a air shim with the tank half empty to then put shims under feet others say to empty completely and start again if it's just moving one side of the tank away from the wall and inch would that be best done empty or could I get away with 3/4 empty

I really dont to stress my fish anymore than I need to as during the upgrade a couple didn't cope with it so well which caused me to rush filling the tank up quickly and dont want them to go through it again if they dont have too obviously if I have to empty completely then so be it it's better than them surfing on the wooden floor if the seem splits as ever I'm grateful for a you that take the time to look at my post and answer

 

[T-J]

Do you have a basement? If so, you can do like I did on one of my prior tanks...I had put jacks underneath the tank in the basement (supporting the joists under the tank) to give it extra support and keep it level.
If it's on solid concrete, and the floor is just off, you can hammer some shims underneath the low corner(s) and then just cut them off.

 

[Billdogg]

Are you on carpet or a solid floor? If it's on carpet the other back corner might be on a tack strip. Pulling it forward would work, but with it full that will be difficult to say the least. I'd probably just shim the corner that is off. 5mm (~1/4") is, at least IMO, too far for comfort. The last thing you want to do is damage the tank! A few shims will take care of it quickly and easily.

 

[DomiD]

Do you have a basement? If so, you can do like I did on one of my prior tanks...I had put jacks underneath the tank in the basement (supporting the joists under the tank) to give it extra support and keep it level.
If it's on solid concrete, and the floor is just off, you can hammer some shims underneath the low corner(s) and then just cut them off.

 

[DomiD]

Are you on carpet or a solid floor? If it's on carpet the other back corner might be on a tack strip. Pulling it forward would work, but with it full that will be difficult to say the least. I'd probably just shim the corner that is off. 5mm (~1/4") is, at least IMO, too far for comfort. The last thing you want to do is damage the tank! A few shims will take care of it quickly and easily.

Do you have a basement? If so, you can do like I did on one of my prior tanks...I had put jacks underneath the tank in the basement (supporting the joists under the tank) to give it extra support and keep it level.
If it's on solid concrete, and the floor is just off, you can hammer some shims underneath the low corner(s) and then just cut them off.

No basement solid concreate floor

 

[DomiD]

Are you on carpet or a solid floor? If it's on carpet the other back corner might be on a tack strip. Pulling it forward would work, but with it full that will be difficult to say the least. I'd probably just shim the corner that is off. 5mm (~1/4") is, at least IMO, too far for comfort. The last thing you want to do is damage the tank! A few shims will take care of it quickly and easily.

If you hammer a shim in do you do with water in the tank?

 

[DomiD]

Tank is on wooden laminate flooring

 

[T-J]

If you hammer a shim in do you do with water in the tank?

Yeah. Just slide it under the corner of the stand that you want to raise. Go slow.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Shims are your friend. Get plastic ones if you can, as wood may compress over time.
I just used about 20 of them to level a stand in my basement, worked like a charm.

 

[DomiD]

Shims are your friend. Get plastic ones if you can, as wood may compress over time.
I just used about 20 of them to level a stand in my basement, worked like a charm.

Like these? Sorry Stupid question but when you leveled your stand was it with aquarium on with water in?

 

[Hugh Mann]

Like these? Sorry Stupid question but when you leveled your stand was it with aquarium on with water in?

I used a different brand, but basically the same thing.

I moved my tank, so it was empty when I leveled the stand. However it settled when I filled it up so I had to make adjustments when it was full.

I am sure if you are careful you can lightly hammer them in while the aquarium is full. Or you could drain 1/2 the water or whatever your tank setup allows.

 

[DomiD]

I used a different brand, but basically the same thing.

I moved my tank, so it was empty when I leveled the stand. However it settled when I filled it up so I had to make adjustments when it was full.

I am sure if you are careful you can lightly hammer them in while the aquarium is full. Or you could drain 1/2 the water or whatever your tank setup allows.

Sorry really nervous about doing this what do you mean by what you tank set up allows

 

[T-J]

Sorry really nervous about doing this what do you mean by what you tank set up allows

He means however much water you can safely remove based on your setup.

If you're that nervous. Pull all the livestock, drain the tank and level it that way. No worries then.

 

[Hugh Mann]

That is exactly what I meant.
Nothing to be nervous about, but I understand your concern. I agree, if you're really worried about it, remove as much of the livestock as you can.

 

[DomiD]

That is exactly what I meant.
Nothing to be nervous about, but I understand your concern. I agree, if you're really worried about it, remove as much of the livestock as you can.

Thanks for your help if I drain enough for the fish to swim up right would you rekomend to put maybe an air stone and heater in just incase it takes to to long

 

[DomiD]

He means however much water you can safely remove based on your setup.

If you're that nervous. Pull all the livestock, drain the tank and level it that way. No worries then.

Cheers buddy

 

[Hugh Mann]

I would go down to half personally, but that would work too. Just be sure to check the level as you're refilling it.

 

[DomiD]

For those interested I checked my floor level around the tank last night and it's not far off level and the problem is caused by the little white feet on the red sea pushing into the laminate flooring at the front of the tank which is probably where I spill water from time to time other pics are from levels on tank

 

[Hugh Mann]

If that is the case, you will definitely want to put something under the feet to put a halt to that. Anything flat, hard and strong enough not to deform under the pressure. A 5x5x.25" plate of aluminum or something would do it.

Could use the shims to lift the tank (mechanical advantage!) to put the plates under. Will need one under every foot of course.