Leveling a Large Tank on an Uneven Floor

[Caleb123]

I am currently setting up an Innovative Marine 170 EXT. The problem I am having is that I live in an older home and my floors are very uneven. I have already supported the floor underneath the tank, but I have struggled with ideas to level it since the APS stand does not have leveling feet.

I have built this frame to the dimensions of the APS stand. I can use up to 16 of these leveling feet that are rated for 330 lbs each. I am nervous about adding a base underneath 2,500 lbs and would like some input as to whether this is a good plan or not. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I am currently setting up an Innovative Marine 170 EXT. The problem I am having is that I live in an older home and my floors are very uneven. I have already supported the floor underneath the tank, but I have struggled with ideas to level it since the APS stand does not have leveling feet.

I have built this frame to the dimensions of the APS stand. I can use up to 16 of these leveling feet that are rated for 330 lbs each. I am nervous about adding a base underneath 2,500 lbs and would like some input as to whether this is a good plan or not. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

View attachment 2978302 View attachment 2978303

Add leveling feet otherwise I place my tanks although larger on plywood and place wood shim wedges under the plywood as needed.

 

[dlsorensen]

Exactly what @vetteguy53081 said. Shoot, my house is only 4 years old and the floors weren't perfectly level!

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I would bypass the extra base and install leveling feet on the existing cabinet.

 

[Derrick0580]

Don’t know how innovative you want to get but playing cards work great for leveling pool tables because they don’t collapse and you can fine tune them by removing one card at a time.

 

[Uncle99]

Those feet look to me like with 2500lbs, the screws would just rip out.
And if stuff gets under that base, it’s there forever.

Id spread the weight out as much as possible and shim, just what’s needed.

 

[Caleb123]

It would need to be shimmed somewhere between 1” - 1.5” to be level. I put a 2x4 (1.5” thick) under one side and it was slightly past but really close to being level. This creates a large gap between the stand and the floor from side to side

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

It would need to be shimmed somewhere between 1” - 1.5” to be level. I put a 2x4 (1.5” thick) under one side and it was slightly past but really close to being level. This creates a large gap between the stand and the floor from side to side

Oi vei. That is a lot of float on the floor.

Is there another location?

 

[Caleb123]

Unfortunately, no. That is the only location I can place the tank

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

What tools do you have to use? Table saw, track saw, band saw, circular saw, hand saw?


I still think a bunch of (better) leveling feet is your best option. Mine are rated to 2k pounds each and have 2" of travel.

 

[Caleb123]

What tools do you have to use? Table saw, track saw, band saw, circular saw, hand saw?


I still think a bunch of (better) leveling feet is your best option. Mine are rated to 2k pounds each and have 2" of travel.

I have a circular saw and a small miter saw. Most folks seem to not like the idea of the wooden base underneath the stand.

I am renting from a family member because it is much cheaper and I have gotten their approval to have a tank this size so long as it does not cause any issues with the house. I have already supported the floors. Since this is the only location for the tank, am I reaching too far with a tank this size? I would rather not cause any issues with the aquarium or the house. I’d love to keep the tank but that is not a chance I would be willing to take. One of those things I should have considered beforehand…

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

You're going to have to get it sturdy, and level. Be it by another false floor, levelers, combination, whatever. If it's that bad of an arch. I would probably be installing better levelers, and have the worst end propped on 1x4

 

[Caleb123]

You're going to have to get it sturdy, and level. Be it by another false floor, levelers, combination, whatever. If it's that bad of an arch. I would probably be installing better levelers, and have the worst end propped on 1x4

Would these be sufficient? I could add them to the 2x4 base I’ve built.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

These are what I used.

Check this out! https://a.co/d/4tLqGUs

 

[air_run]

You can use these base plates from 80/20. It's what I used and works very well. Now, you do not have to use the 3/4-10 6500lb per foot weight capacity as I did but, you could go with 1/2-13 economy leveling feet (1250lb capacity) with rubber feet (anti-vibration). I just used large wood screws to mount the base plates. You will get roughly 2" worth of adjustment.

 

[mrpontiac80]

You can use these base plates from 80/20. It's what I used and works very well. Now, you do not have to use the 3/4-10 6500lb per foot weight capacity as I did but, you could go with 1/2-13 economy leveling feet (1250lb capacity) with rubber feet (anti-vibration). I just used large wood screws to mount the base plates. You will get roughly 2" worth of adjustment.

View attachment 2978647

View attachment 2978652

View attachment 2978653

View attachment 2978695

Those look really nice

 

[hoffmeyerz]

Would these be sufficient? I could add them to the 2x4 base I’ve built.

Yes, you can add those to your 2x4 base. Those, the ones listed from Lost in the Sauce, or Air_Run (love those btw) will work. Just add enough of the leveling legs to distribute the weight across the slope, with enough legs you'll prob only have 200-300lbs on each leg. The name of the game is to evenly transfer the weight to the floor so it can transfer the weight to it's supports.
Btw @air_run that cabinet stand looks awesome!

 

[sergifed91]

I have the same problem. Although I got the stand leveled. I was told recently from one of a local contractor that is redoing my basement bathroom and some plumbing. That I have to redo my basement concrete floor. My response was no ****. The floor is crumbling in certain spots to where I can just pull little pebbles. So I'm doing it this spring.

 

[air_run]

Yes, you can add those to your 2x4 base. Those, the ones listed from Lost in the Sauce, or Air_Run (love those btw) will work. Just add enough of the leveling legs to distribute the weight across the slope, with enough legs you'll prob only have 200-300lbs on each leg. The name of the game is to evenly transfer the weight to the floor so it can transfer the weight to it's supports.
Btw @air_run that cabinet stand looks awesome!

Thank you! I love building stuff.

 

[air_run]

Those look really nice

Thank you!