Unlevel 180g

[FlyTekk]

Im pretty confused. I set up a 180 in my garage. Using a metal stand with all 6 legs sitting on cinder blocks. The stand was level. I Shimmed the cinder blocks and everything seemed fine and level.


Now that tanks full I have water line on one corner touch the black plastic rim and water line on another corner about 3/4" below the plastic rim.


Obviously on side is higher the the other right? Not really.


When I use multiple levels on the corner where the water is higher its level. When I test the other corner its unlevel. When I test the center of tank its level!!!!


So how can one half of a tank be level while the other is very unlevel.

 

[piranhapat]

Middle might be level but one side of floor is lower or higher than the other corner or other side of tank. Got to be level in both direction at both ends <^. >^

 

[thirty6]

+1
Or your level is shot. Either way I'd take the time to get it level

 

[FlyTekk]

Whats best way to level a metal stand with 6 legs touching ground? Also can wood shims support the pressure of 2000lbs on 6 metal legs? I guess that's like 350lbs per shim but on a small footprint.

 

[E.intheC]

How big is the level you're using? If it's a smaller level I've found those to be more difficult to work with in applications like this.

 

[FlyTekk]

Agreed! Its a pain. Getting the largest one I can find today.

 

[piranhapat]

Very easy way is to put plywood at least 1inch thick the length and width under the stand so all legs are on plywood. Then shimmy the plywood at spots that need to be level. It also supports the weight on the floor.

 

[thirty6]

Good idea ^^^

 

[peteyboyny]

Very easy way is to put plywood at least 1inch thick the length and width under the stand so all legs are on plywood. Then shimmy the plywood at spots that need to be level. It also supports the weight on the floor.

+1. Easier to level the plywood. I would be using atleast a 4' level (and not one of the cheap plastic ones). Or, build a wooden stand and toss the metal one.

 

[FlyTekk]

The floor is a ground floor. Concrete. Its in the garage. ;0) Took down my 120 from 3rd floor for this same reason.


Wont the plywood flex or crush with 6 small metal legs over it and shims under it?

 

[Frankie Marble]

Use a 6ft level. Anything else won't give u the correct reading.

 

[thirty6]

It would depend on thickness

If concerned make a wooden base for tank or make another a stand

 

[divebri69]

Your tank IS your level....

The tank IS the level.
Fill it only to the bottom trim (unless it's rimless, trimless).
There's your level.

 

[lnevo]

The tank IS the level.
Fill it only to the bottom trim (unless it's rimless, trimless).
There's your level.

I like that idea

 

[albano]

The tank IS the level.
Fill it only to the bottom trim (unless it's rimless, trimless).
There's your level.

So you don't think the additional weight of a full tank can affect it's 'level'

 

[lnevo]

On a concrete floor with a metal stand? Either way you have to start somewhere... Or do you recommend filling then leveling? Then what? Empty and start over?

 

[divebri69]

I believe I understand what Albano is saying:
If you level the tank (for example with shims) while there's only a bit of water in it; will the full tank compress those shims and send it out of level. (I think that's what you mean, anyhow).
Honestly, I don't know. It will compress the shims. Don't know if it'll completely crush them.
I've only had small tanks (55gal or less) on a metal stand with legs, and shimmed them with small squares of 1/4" plywood under each leg without a problem. My large tanks have been on stands with a solid bottom. I've shimmed those with standard wood shims underneath and had no problems.
You could go with the idea of a piece of plywood (say 5/8" or 3/4") for the stand to rest on, then shim under the plywood at the point where the legs touch. Perhaps that would spread the stress?
But the idea of the tank as your level is real, and works. A level is just a curved glass tube with an air bubble and liquid. Long levels give more accurate reads than short levels. Your tank gives you the ultimate level if you can use the lower rim to gauge by. It's still light enough to get shims under at that point. You'd play heck banging them under a full tank, though!!

 

[FlyTekk]

Opted to just build my own stand. Easier to shim a whole cross bar on the bottom than 6 seperate legs. What do u guys think? Its all pressure treated 4x4 so should be good against water. Also painted with black latex gloss paint. Used 4" l brackets on every single 90 degree bend (60). And 16x 8" screws going crossbars.

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Im using EZ Shims which can hold 8000lbs each! Are water proof as well.

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[divebri69]

Monster Stand!!

By golly, that's one monster stand!!
I imagine it'll hold about anything you wanna put on it.
EZ shims are nice. They can't deteriorate from moisture.
Get the stand in place and close to level as you can using a 4' level before you put the tank on it, then just fine tune it once there's a bit of water in it.
You'll already have shims in place where needed, and just be knocking them in further, or working them out a bit.
Good Luck!!

 

[FlyTekk]

Yeap thats the plan. Imma mix all your ideas, shim and level stand first. Then will a little over the bottom trim to use tank as level. Adjust. Then again when half full with me new longer level. Etc etc. Feel much better about things now.

The 6 seperate legs was what threw me. I just couldnt imagine leveling from front to back and from left to right with 6 different legs. Now that the bottom is one whole piece it should be a cake walk.