Aquarium Physically Off- Balance

[Pookieq]

Hey folks!

So I posted on here previously about larger stand options for a 55 gal. Well, ultimately I did purchase and assemble a purpose built stand for my now 75 gal. 
However, I noticed today while in the process of slowly checking for leaks that the tank sets slightly off balance. So much so that there is a half inch difference in water level from one end to the other. The list seems to be to the left, ie lower. Should I be concerned? The tank is currently empty except for water so it won’t be too much of a hassle to move again. 
Before placing the tank I had already added a shim to the left side to try and balance it out and get rid of a wobble.  But there is still about another 3 inches or so that I could wedge beneath the stand. Would that help or would that compromise the structural integrity of the stand?

I should also add that width-wise the tank is perfectly level. 

Anyway, I’d like to know what you all think about this.

Thanks!

[nabokovfan87]

Can you check the surface of the stand in both directions as well as the tank in both directions (fwd/back, left/right) on both sides of the tank?

You probably need to shim up the left side of the stand.

[nabokovfan87]

[Pookieq]

On 12/8/2022 at 5:36 PM, nabokovfan87 said:

I had thought of adding a rubber mat of some sort earlier, but thought it wouldn’t be able to add much. I’ll reconsider it now. 
The degree to which the tank is off matches the stand and is consistent, as in there isn’t a weird bump in the middle. Also, as I just discovered it matches up with the slope of the floor. 
Shims seem the most obvious solution. My worry with those was in regard to the design of the stand. It doesn’t rest on just two legs, but has two braces that run the entire length. 
The solution I’m thinking of now is to shim both ends of the left until I achieve a level surface. My guess right now is that I’ll need more in front than back since I already have a shim partially placed there. And then to shim the two length long braces to support. 

[The endler guy]

On 12/8/2022 at 4:20 PM, Pookieq said:

Hey folks!

So I posted on here previously about larger stand options for a 55 gal. Well, ultimately I did purchase and assemble a purpose built stand for my now 75 gal. 
However, I noticed today while in the process of slowly checking for leaks that the tank sets slightly off balance. So much so that there is a half inch difference in water level from one end to the other. The list seems to be to the left, ie lower. Should I be concerned? The tank is currently empty except for water so it won’t be too much of a hassle to move again. 
Before placing the tank I had already added a shim to the left side to try and balance it out and get rid of a wobble.  But there is still about another 3 inches or so that I could wedge beneath the stand. Would that help or would that compromise the structural integrity of the stand?

I should also add that width-wise the tank is perfectly level. 

Anyway, I’d like to know what you all think about this.

Thanks!

Unless it is actively moving it should be fine see the video by md fish tanks where he made the most unlevel tank

[nabokovfan87]

On 12/8/2022 at 3:06 PM, Pookieq said:

Shims seem the most obvious solution. My worry with those was in regard to the design of the stand. It doesn’t rest on just two legs, but has two braces that run the entire length. 
The solution I’m thinking of now is to shim both ends of the left until I achieve a level surface. My guess right now is that I’ll need more in front than back since I already have a shim partially placed there. And then to shim the two length long braces to support. 

My 75G stand has 6 legs. so there is a design perk to what you're running in some situations.  Let me show you how I'd shim it.

Black part is the actual shim and placement.  Kind of an annoyance, but get it sorted now and you'll have peace of mind moving forward.

[Biotope Biologist]

My apartment has a 1 degree tilt in the floor. My tank also sits unlevel and since its 4 feet long it is noticeable in water level. 
 

This might be something that was built into your floors as well. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I really notice it when I’m in my office chair at my desk. Have to anchor myself to the table practically.

[JettsPapa]

I agree that as long as the top of the stand is flat, and I'm sure it is, there really isn't a problem structurally.  I don't think you'd run into any problems shimming both corners on the low side, but it shouldn't hurt to add one in the middle on the same side, like the image @nabokovfan87 posted.

[CrashBandit05]

My house is 90 years old with oak floors that most definitely aren't level! I highly recommend getting a piece of yoga mat and cut it to fit your aquarium. I use shims as well to help with the aquarium stand wobbliness. The left side water level of my 29gal is about two inches than the right and it really isn't noticeable unless you're trying to see it.

[TheSwissAquarist]

On 12/9/2022 at 12:07 AM, Aiden Carter said:

Unless it is actively moving it should be fine see the video by md fish tanks where he made the most unlevel tank

I think there it was intentional 😂

[The endler guy]

On 12/9/2022 at 4:31 PM, TheSwissAquarist said:

I think there it was intentional 😂

It most definitely was!

[Pookieq]

So, after a trip to the hardware store for shims and experimenting with those for a couple hours I really don’t feel that I’ve gotten anywhere. 

I’ve created Frankenstein-like combinations of two shims to no real avail. 

The degree of tilt never changed by any worth while amount. Although, and I feel a little dumb saying this, I discovered that the problem of balancing everything didn’t lie with elevating the left, but rather the right side. You see the floor actually slopes up. So my knee jerk reaction at seeing the water level lower on the left was wrong. The water was showing true level the whole time. 

At one point I had the entire right end elevated but then became concerned about the middle support. As designed it should sit flush with the side panels, however much of it became elevated so as to be taller than even than even two shims combined. note image of the shims with the line drawn across representing how far each had gone in between the bottom shim and the unit. 
The middle support rests flush without the shims making me think this may all be a bit superfluous, the unit is supported throughout without all the extra elevation. 

The building is older, approximately 1920’s or 30’s, so it has a little character like angled floors. 

I’m thinking tomorrow that I’ll try to place, if not also cut, a yoga mat beneath the entire unit and see if that helps at all. 
 

Photo 1: the space on the bottom which is higher than a single shim

Photo 2: how far each second shim went in

Photo 3: the top is before, bottom is after

[nabokovfan87]

Looking better. Almost there!

Whenever you get the pad and all that stuff in place. Fill the tank 25% then recheck, fill it 50% recheck, fill it 75% recheck, etc.

It's a deceivingly large amount of weight and can "settle" once the weight is on place or a little bit of time after the tank is setup.

Looks good.

[BuzzDaddy21]

On 12/10/2022 at 1:54 AM, nabokovfan87 said:

Whenever you get the pad

I agree with nabokovfan87 about the shims.

But instead of a pad I would use 3 layers of foam board and the aquarium will level itself on the foam. (I did this with some 40B, and it worked well.)

[PlaneFishGuy]

I have a related question - I built my 75 gallon stand (standard 2x4 construction) for an Aqueon tank that has the black frame on top and bottom as well as center braces. is putting foam under the tank an absolute must do thing?

I built the stand with some trim work to hide the edges and I forgot to account for the foam when setting the reveal height. Trying to avoid rework on the stand but also don't want to risk the aquarium over what is really a cosmetic issue. 

Any thoughts or experience would help. 

[Tanked]

On 2/27/2023 at 9:29 AM, PlaneFishGuy said:

I have a related question - I built my 75 gallon stand (standard 2x4 construction) for an Aqueon tank that has the black frame on top and bottom as well as center braces. is putting foam under the tank an absolute must do thing?

I built the stand with some trim work to hide the edges and I forgot to account for the foam when setting the reveal height. Trying to avoid rework on the stand but also don't want to risk the aquarium over what is really a cosmetic issue. 

Any thoughts or experience would help. 

It is more good practice than an absolute must.  The foam does not have to be thick.  It helps the aquarium adjust to any minor flaws in your construction.

Minor racking from an uneven floor, a rocking motion from warped plywood, spilled water seeping under the aquarium...

 

[AllFishNoBrakes]

On 2/27/2023 at 7:59 AM, Tanked said:

The foam does not have to be thick.

Indeed. In fact, the foam should NOT be thick. If the foam is thick enough, it could create pressure on the bottom glass panel. Enough pressure on the bottom glass panel… 75 gallon mess all over your house. 

[Sora]

My house is at a slight tilt also, my tank is only slightly uneven. It never gave me any problems. I hope that its not something I should be worried about after reading this lol!

[Miska]

Related question: Where did you get your stand? It's the first not ugly one I have seen.

[knee]

On 2/27/2023 at 10:33 AM, Miska said:

Related question: Where did you get your stand? It's the first not ugly one I have seen.

I've seen a similar stand that Petsmart sells. The brand is Nate & Jeremiah.