Suggestions for tilting tank

[albertlin]

So the UNS R120 which is around 110g I have in my apartment is slowly tilting forward and a little bit to the left. Through measuring the water level it is about 1/4'' off now. It was perfectly level when I set it up a couple months ago. The reason seems to be the leveling feet in front are starting to sink into the hardwood-style vinyl flooring. The stand has a total of six leveling feet (1.5'' diameter) that can be adjusted.

My plan now is to partially drain the tank and lift it a bit with air wedges and slide in a stainless steel disk (about 1/4'' thick and 3'' across) under each foot in the front to prevent it from sinking again. Then after that level the tank by adjusting the feet. I do want to do this for the back as well but it is against the wall and I cannot access the back feet.

Not sure if this is a good idea so wanted to ask for some suggestions before i do it lol, any input is appreciated, thanks

 

[Turkeysammich]

Wood shims / wedges from Home Depot. Just hammer them in. Then you can add steel ones if you want. No need to drain. Just tap them in. That’s how I do it. Works for me. Dunno if it’s right or wrong

 

[albertlin]

Wood shims / wedges from Home Depot. Just hammer them in. Then you can add steel ones if you want. No need to drain. Just tap them in. That’s how I do it. Works for me. Dunno if it’s right or wrong

I see.. but I don't think I would be able to hammer shims in when the feet have already sunk into the floor though

 

[dangalang]

I see.. but I don't think I would be able to hammer shims in when the feet have already sunk into the floor though

Can you post a picture?

 

[albertlin]

Can you post a picture?

Sure here is a pic of the front left one

 

[Turkeysammich]

If you’re lucky. You can turn that nut and it will make the foot go up. Or jack the aquarium and adjust the foot down. Again. Wood wedge is your friend. Lol.

 

[MichaelB]

Make sure the floor itself isn't shifting. And it’s only the flooring that the feet are sinking into.

 

[albertlin]

If you’re lucky. You can turn that nut and it will make the foot go up.

I can adjust it if I can get some weight off this foot and I've done that before, just want to insert something underneath that does not bend easily to distribute the weight.

 

[albertlin]

Make sure the floor itself isn't shifting. And it’s only the flooring that the feet are sinking into.

How do I check that lol, from the pic you can see that piece of vinyl is flipping up because of this but I don't think it can shift

 

[RandyC]

Wood shims / wedges from Home Depot. Just hammer them in. Then you can add steel ones if you want. No need to drain. Just tap them in. That’s how I do it. Works for me. Dunno if it’s right or wrong

I would suggest composite shims and not wood shims. Wood shims will expand and then eventually deteriorate if (when) water gets on them.

Amazon.com

 

[dangalang]

Sure here is a pic of the front left one View attachment 72432

Looks like you have plenty of room for shims from picture, just need to stack them to fill the gap the start hammering them in to lift. Maybe try two sets of shims, one on each side of the foot, but with enough room to shove the stainless steel plate on once you have the tank high enough.

 

[MichaelB]

How do I check that lol, from the pic you can see that piece of vinyl is flipping up because of this but I don't think it can shift

Shift meaning the actual sub floor when I say floor not the vinyl planks. Make sure that it's not dropping/ shifting down under the weight.
You could use a level or straight board across some of the floor in front of tank. Gaps/ spaces under a straight board or level could mean bigger issues with sub floor.

Also I see the picture what your referencing. I'm Saying look at the larger area of the floor the tank is on as it could be the flooring under the planks/ tank are sagging causing the vinyl to buckle up. Hopefully that's not the case.

 

[RandyC]

Air shims are money btw! Love 'em. I used them for my 150 gallon.

Post in thread 'Randy’s Flock o' Reef Tanks'
https://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/randy’s-flock-o-reef-tanks.32907/post-543708

 

[albertlin]

Air shims are money btw! Love 'em. I used them for my 150 gallon.

Post in thread 'Randy’s Flock o' Reef Tanks'
https://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/randy’s-flock-o-reef-tanks.32907/post-543708

I got the exact same one it just arrived haven't tried it yet. does it really lift the tank up easily by just pumping air in?

 

[RandyC]

I got the exact same one it just arrived haven't tried it yet. does it really lift the tank up easily by just pumping air in?

Easy peasy. I think I drained at least halfway if not more. Also, I had no rock or sand in the tank at the time

 

[albertlin]

Easy peasy. I think I drained at least halfway if not more. Also, I had no rock or sand in the tank at the time

I just tried it out. Two shims easily lifted the foot off the ground. pretty amazing how well these work. didn't even have to drain any water

 

[popper]

I saw the left side sink. Scary. And the train rattles the tank.

 

[albertlin]

Will probably need to adjust again soon. this time with a larger piece of plywood maybe

 

[popper]

Perhaps a larger piece of flat metal? I can swing by to help.