View Full Version : Best material for leveling 375gal tank?
GlassReef
09/14/2008, 08:01 PM
My 375gal all glass tank will arrive in the next couple of weeks. I has an external coast-to-coast overflow. The overflow is smooth (no teeth), so the tank has to be perfectly level - my floor is not even close. It'll probably take 3/8" of shims under the stand, in some places. The stand is made of 1 1/2" iron. My question - what would you suggest as the best material to use for the shims? I would even welcome some hints on how to get 'er done. :cool:
GlassReef
09/15/2008, 10:04 AM
No one has any suggestions? I really don't want to use wood as shims - must be something better out there ....:(
Discustopia
09/15/2008, 10:18 AM
I've always been a fan of squares of high density 1/16" plastic - no rust!
for fine tuning use acetate/plastic (not paper) casino playing cards. I did my tank entirely with cards till I couldn't wedge any more in and it sits very solid.
Lowredranger
09/15/2008, 10:44 AM
I know they have the shims at home depot or lowes that are the plastic kind or some variation but at least they are not wood. I believe they are plastic or some other manufactured product. Don't know if that helps
wmilas
09/15/2008, 01:19 PM
I used U shaped steel shims available at your big box depot stores. In all honesty any thin steel stock will work just fine.
GlassReef
09/15/2008, 01:26 PM
Great ideas! Thanks. Guess I've just gotta get my imagination in drive.:D
jgs107
09/15/2008, 05:31 PM
i dont have any hints but i would like to know where you got the tank from.if you dont mind pm me the price too.im looking for the same thing with an external coast to coast.thanks and good luck with the leveling
reefrubble
09/15/2008, 05:56 PM
Tom , How are you coming along with your tank set up ?
Ted
GlassReef
09/15/2008, 06:09 PM
Hey Ted ...
The stand was delivered last week. Currently, I'm lining the walls of the fish room with FRP (think it stands for Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic). I've decided that either my fish room is too small or the aquarium is too big - or maybe it was my planning.:rolleyes: Should have the walls done by the end of the week. I thought the tank would be here first week in October, but I'm beginning to doubt it. I guess that's OK, I've got plenty to do in the mean time.
I set the stand in place temporarily and noticed how much I'm going to have to shim it. Thought I'd do well to find out what folks are using. Knowing how much I tend to splash around, wood shims wouldn't last long under my stand. I've never seen the plastic shims mentioned earlier. Sounds like the ticket - aluminum wouldn't be bad either.
Did you get your skimmer yet?
Lowredranger
09/15/2008, 06:35 PM
I am not sure what the material was but it was not wood. It was the same size as the regular wood shim but had a waxy/plastic exterior. I know we got them at home depot or lowes but it was awhile back when we were installing a door.
GlassReef
09/15/2008, 08:17 PM
Lowredranger - I'll stop by both Lowes and HD and take a look at what they've got. Thanks for the help, all.
reefrubble
09/15/2008, 08:43 PM
Tom , Steven M. Used the Plastic shims under his stand , and they worked great .
No Skimmer yet , and I still don't know when I will get it . I was told it should be soon . I sure hope so .
Ted
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