Help w/ levelling an aquarium

[scotikis]

My new (and first) marine aquarium is 72" long and is currently in my living room empty. I see that while it's against the wall (3" away from wall actually), it is leaning forward, away from the wall.
Someone mentioned that I when carpet is put down, it is generally folded over which would cause the situation that I'm in. Another fellow said I should cut away the carpet near the wall and remove the tack strip holding tha carpet in place.
Before I start butchering up the carpet, has anyone here had to deal with this? What actions did you take to level your aquarium? Thank you.

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by Scotikis
http:///forum/post/2500651
My new (and first) marine aquarium is 72" long and is currently in my living room empty. I see that while it's against the wall (3" away from wall actually), it is leaning forward, away from the wall.
Someone mentioned that I when carpet is put down, it is generally folded over which would cause the situation that I'm in. Another fellow said I should cut away the carpet near the wall and remove the tack strip holding tha carpet in place.
Before I start butchering up the carpet, has anyone here had to deal with this? What actions did you take to level your aquarium? Thank you.
If your stand is 3" away from the wall the tack strip is not an issue. Cutting the carpet away will prevent any rocking. If you dont it may seem unstable until the tank settles into the padding underneath. I dont have a tank nearly as large as that but I bought L brackets and screwed them into the back of the stand and then down to the floor, this would prevent any accidental tip overs of tank and stand. In the process of all that I leveled the tank and stand so when I screwed everything down I was all set. I dont know how people deal with tanks and stands that settle over time and need to be re-leveled, or if that is even an issue in most cases.

 

[scopus tang]

Be careful with this one. The weight of your tank once you fill it is going to mash down the carpet - so if you level it empty, it will probably not be level once you fill it. IMO/E having a tank of any kind, but especially a SW tank on carpet is a big mistake. You are going to have salt creep; occassional overflows, leaks, and floods; constant water changes; and lots of drips every time you add or fish or coral and then try to move it. I would seriously consider removing the carpet not only from under your tank but also from around it and replace it with tile or something. If you dont in all seriousness, you will probably end up ruining your carpet. Just my opinion ~ for what its worth.

 

[veni vidi vici]

How much is it leaning?Take a level and tape measure and see how much its leaning in the width of your tank.Before you start filling with water put something solid under cabinet corners ,like a piece of tile or something and get some shims started.When the tank is about 1/4 full start making adjustments with shims.
Just my 2 cents

 

[scotikis]

I'll have to check on how much it's leaning forward. I could have the carpet removed and have laminate wood flooring put in - because I have some of this left over from another room that was finished. If anyone knows of problems with laminate flooring, please let me know. I appreciate all of your help.

 

[veni vidi vici]

Originally Posted by Scotikis
http:///forum/post/2500748
I'll have to check on how much it's leaning forward. I could have the carpet removed and have laminate wood flooring put in - because I have some of this left over from another room that was finished. If anyone knows of problems with laminate flooring, please let me know. I appreciate all of your help.
Carpet is fine.

 

[scopus tang]

Originally Posted by Scotikis
http:///forum/post/2500748
I'll have to check on how much it's leaning forward. I could have the carpet removed and have laminate wood flooring put in - because I have some of this left over from another room that was finished. If anyone knows of problems with laminate flooring, please let me know. I appreciate all of your help.
I have laminate under my aquarium, no major problems - make sure you silicone around it so water can get underneath and ruin your subfloor. You have to wash it, as the saltdrips make it look dull, but a lot better than carpet IMO

 

[fats71]

We bought a 400 dollar carpet cleaner with special attachemnts to keep the carpet nice around thhe tank that way I get in no trouble if i spill something I tell momma and she hops on it.

 

[metweezer]

I would suggest that you move your tank 6 inches away from the wall. It will give you access to the back of the tank (powerheads, skimmer, etc.) See if it is level then. 3 inches is not much clearance at all IMHO.