Self Level Mat or Shims?

[Pridedcloth3]

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Im facing the same issue. There so many 50/50 Ideas against foam or mat or shims. This is a Aqueon 210 rimmed. Left front corner has a gap but the tank over all is level. So from reading, this should be shimmed at the stand? Or at the the bottom of the tank?

I've been through a tank crack from stress - trying to avoid that again.

Personally I'd just remove the screws and wedge metal shims under your plywood to force it up then lock it back on place.

 

[Dro127]

I would definitely do something, if it is only one corner, either shave off the other 3 or just shim that one. I’m going to move my stand to it’s final spot today, but I only have 1 corner too high so I’m just going to shave it down

The tank is close to its Final spot - but clearly not finished. I've spent an extreme amount of time researching this topic and frankly I'm overwhelmed with the battle between the responses. I really don't want to "rebuild" the stand.

 

[Dro127]

Personally I'd just remove the screws and wedge metal shims under your plywood to force it up then lock it back on place

Unfortunately I've already glued and nailed (finish nails) the 3/4 to the stand - been about a week so its pretty stuck. I guess I could force it up but I'd rather find a different solution before I start tearing it apart. It was dead on with the 6ft Level I used but apparently slightly off

 

[C4ctus99]

The tank is close to its Final spot - but clearly not finished. I've spent an extreme amount of time researching this topic and frankly I'm overwhelmed with the battle between the responses. I really don't want to "rebuild" the stand.

I would shim the bottom parts of the legs. My understanding is the important part is that the corners are all level. Like you said, stress cracks suck

 

[trainbob]

If you used carpenters glue it should come right up. I have done this myself and the wood pieces came right apart. Although I used screws and took them out first

 

[Dro127]

I would shim the bottom parts of the legs. My understanding is the important part is that the corners are all level. Like you said, stress cracks suck

The tank didnt have any live stock thankfully but losing 300+ gallons on the floors definitely sucked

 

[C4ctus99]

I ended up having to shim the front two legs up, the floor it is on slopes in. It is a hair out left to right, not even an eight of an inch, but will try yo get it adjusted enough. Going to Home Depot for pvc now

 

[minorhero]

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Im facing the same issue. There so many 50/50 Ideas against foam or mat or shims. This is a Aqueon 210 rimmed. Left front corner has a gap but the tank over all is level. So from reading, this should be shimmed at the stand? Or at the the bottom of the tank?

I've been through a tank crack from stress - trying to avoid that again.

It needs to be shimmed at the stand. Meaning place the shim between the floor and the stand. Your stand is either built wrong or (and this is the more likely situation) your stand is following pattern of the floor and is essentially torquing out of flat.

 

[Dro127]

It needs to be shimmed at the stand. Meaning place the shim between the floor and the stand. Your stand is either built wrong or (and this is the more likely situation) your stand is following pattern of the floor and is essentially torquing out of flat.

There is a strong chance I could have been off on a cut and not noticed. As stated before, I would much rather not disassemble and rebuild the entire thing - its solid. For the sake of not asking ridiculously obvious questions, are you saying literally like a wood shim under the stand? Couldn't that cause more warping?
Or maybe, lifting the 3/4' top and stuffing shims under there?

 

[minorhero]

There is a strong chance I could have been off on a cut and not noticed. As stated before, I would much rather not disassemble and rebuild the entire thing - its solid. For the sake of not asking ridiculously obvious questions, are you saying literally like a wood shim under the stand? Couldn't that cause more warping?

Literally a wood shim under the stand is the way to go.

In your mind you are likely thinking of your stand as a solid piece that is unbendable. But the reality is that wood and especially wood furniture, bends a few millimeters in various directions all the time. Your stand is likely following the floor (which is almost certainly not flat) and so your stand is not flat. By adding a shim under the stand you can bend the stand 'into flat'. You won't know if it will work until you try it. Fortunately, trying it is both cheap and easy.

 

[Dro127]

Literally a wood shim under the stand is the way to go.

In your mind you are likely thinking of your stand as a solid piece that is unbendable. But the reality is that wood and especially wood furniture, bends a few millimeters in various directions all the time. Your stand is likely following the floor (which is almost certainly not flat) and so your stand is not flat. By adding a shim under the stand you can bend the stand 'into flat'. You won't know if it will work until you try it. Fortunately, trying it is both cheap and easy.

I think this will be the way to go then. It cant me anymore that a few millimeters, but I slid a piece of paper between the tank and the stank and I can get it from the lifted corner all the way to the middle of the tank and the middle of the side panel. All other corners are tight thankfully so its just one corner.

And just to clarify, No Foam, Correct?

 

[minorhero]

I think this will be the way to go then. It cant me anymore that a few millimeters, but I slid a piece of paper between the tank and the stank and I can get it from the lifted corner all the way to the middle of the tank and the middle of the side panel. All other corners are tight thankfully so its just one corner.

And just to clarify, No Foam, Correct?

100% never foam under any rimmed tank ever.

 

[Dro127]

100% never foam under any rimmed tank ever.

Thank you for your help

 

[C4ctus99]

Update: I’ve had the tank half full cause I’ve been busy and finally filled it up the rest of the way tonight and guess what…it’s 1/8” out of level

Any advice on leveling it without draining the whole thing?