Leveling the Stand

mudplayerx

Active Member
I thought I had my stand level before I put the water in. However, now that the water is in, it is very clear that one side is about 1/4th of an inch lower than the other side. Is this horrible?
My freshwater has been uneven for over 10 years with no ill effects. I'm praying that this is the case with this one.
Is there any way to level it once there is already water in it? It is a 55 gallon on carpet. There is enough space where I can possible wedge some small device under one side to jack it up.
Does anyone have any opinions or suggestions?
One more question: I have 2 powerheads with a flow rate of 170 gph each. There seems to be an awful lot of turbulence in my tank. Is this too much? (reef tank)
 

snipe

Active Member
Mine is off exactly 1/4 of an inch it wont cause any problems at all "just adding the water one side will be higher to cover the other above the plastic".
That dont seem like very much. I have 2 PH that have 106 each and 1 that has 280 and I am getting another that has 280 and this will put me in the 25X range with my filter and skimmer. For a fish only 10X is the choice and for a reef 20X to 30X "most shoot for 25X"
The X=times per hour
 

zenway9

Member
I am also seeing about a 1/4 inch difference. The more I think about it, the more it drives me crazy thinking that it might crash over during the night, lol.
Anyone have suggestions on shims or any kind of wedge?
 

mudplayerx

Active Member
What is it with our contractors..can't they build level houses? lol
I manages to shove one National Geographic under the low side, but it barely made a difference, and any attempt to stack further items is futile :(
25X?!?! Are you sure man? That would make my 55 gallon tank needing 1,375 GPH... that would spray water all over like a whale's blowhole!
 

loopy

Member
you guys have it good, my tank is over 1/2 inch off. NO, contracters cannot level a floor, uh uh. If I drop a ball on my kitchen floor, it rolls to the other end of the kitchen. I assume that one day we will wake up and all be in the basement from house cave in.
 

paulcoates

Member
1375 isnt hard to do.
I have a Emperor 400 and an Aquaclear 802 (400GPH), With those two alone, that is 800GPH.
If I add two smaller powerheads (especially sweepers) I would be fine.
 

mudplayerx

Active Member
I guess when I add my protein skimmer that will add some gph, but I really wanted to do away with the filter entirely because I am going with the Berlin Reef System. I guess I can add another powerhead and hook it up to a spray bar.
 

snipe

Active Member
25X is perfect for a reef tank I promise you.
Dont get the sweep powerheads they will wear down and break in no time.
Dont rais your tank to try to level it. If you do then there wont be anything to support the middle and can cause damage "breaking of the tank" You have to understand a 55 gallon tank with "just" water can weigh 800lbs and then you factor in sand, rock, and all equipment and extra stuff. It can weigh over 1000lbs easy and when the middle isnt touching it can cause the stand to break and your $1000 is laying in your front room floor. So if its off leave it off dont raise it unless you can brase the middle also.
 

fishcake

Member
anything over 1/2 inch you should correct anything less DONT WORRY!!!! If you need to shim the 55, do like i did, pick up one side and have someone put a shim under there.BAM Done:yes:
 

snipe

Active Member
If you shim "or raise" the tank you have to brace the middle to. If not it could cause searious problems resulting in the stand or tank haveing to be replaced.
 

scubadoo

Active Member
An unlevel tank can cause stress on joints. it raises the risk of a leak or the tank structure failing. It does not mean you will develop a leak or a structure issue...you just now have a greater chance of this happening. I do not think the entire structure will fail with a 1/4" on a four foot run...but your leak possiblity is greater. Moving it, shimming it, etc with a large amount of water can also cause a leak and/or structure failure. Just my opinion.
 

salty cheese

Active Member

Originally posted by ScubaDoo
An unlevel tank can cause stress on joints. it raises the risk of a leak or the tank structure failing. It does not mean you will develop a leak or a structure issue...you just now have a greater chance of this happening. I do not think the entire structure will fail with a 1/4" on a four foot run...but your leak possiblity is greater. Moving it, shimming it, etc with a large amount of water can also cause a leak and/or structure failure. Just my opinion.

:yes:
Shimming is an easy way to level the tank, all you need is a cheap level and some patients. Just remember corner to corner is more important than the front to back or side to side.
 
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