livetowin

I am doing a water change on my tank and i saw that my either my tank or my stand is not level there is about 20% or so out of the tank and its a 29 gal. i have heard that using shims works but i dont know what to put them under the tank or the stand

ThisGuy

Does the stand have adjustable legs? Check and see if you floor is un-level usually that is what it is you just have to make sure that the to of the stand is level using shims and such under that stand and then set the tank onto filler up and it should be good to go.

livetowin

No the Stand does not have adjustable legs and the tank and stand is on carpet so i should put shims under both the stand and tank

ThisGuy

nope i would put the shims underneath the stand (thats what i do) i would worry about the tank sitting on shims i would be afraid that it would cause a unsafe pressure point on the tank and eventually crack it. Plus if the shims are under the stand then you can't really see it and it will look better.

livetowin

Ok how much water should be out of the tank there is 20% out right now

ThisGuy

is there fish in there? if so you have to keep some in your tank you could take it right down to 20-30% if you put it in buckets and top it back up when your done. Just don't make a day of it. Plus i don't think you could lift a 29gal 80% full that is a lot.

livetowin

Yeae there is Fish in there but i dont want to cause a mini cycle by taking a lot of water out what about 50% im not going to do it by my self

Awsome22

Even at 50% water your tank will still weigh around 145 pounds so if you do decide to go with that much water just make sure you dont leave the tank lifted or tilted for too long because cracks or leaks could form as a resualt.

livetowin

yea I put the Shims under the stand i came to find out that the tank was also leaning a little to the right the shims fixed that but the main problem was the back of the tank was higher it got a little better so thanks for the help

jdhef

Yes, definitely shim the legs of the stand. The tank needs constant perimeter support or it could crack. Depending on what your stand looks like, you may be able to use a jack, or even a board with a fulcrum to slowly lift the stand just enough to fit the shim under, then slowly lower it.

I would probably try to take out 50% of the water before starting. You shouldn't cause a mini cycle, since the bacteria is in your filter media, on the substrate etc. You could also pour the old tank water back in if you have the buckets to temporarily store it.

This would definitely be a two person project

jdhef

Oh man, all the writing for nuthin' Oh well at least you got it pretty level.

livetowin

LOL thanks anyway jd i was open to any and all suggestions even if i was already done. i can always improve it

ThisGuy

When i was suggesting taking out more than 50% i was meaning siphon it into buckets and pour it back into the tank when you are done leveling it. As long as you can save 50% of the water it should be fine i just moved so i could only save 50% of the water on the tanks and they are all doing fine. You'll have to post a pic of the newly leveled tank.

livetowin

ok im going to try and get some pictures up tom.

ThisGuy

Tom??

livetowin

tomorrow lol

ThisGuy

Ahh i was like what tha duce who's Tom

livetowin

lol it happens to the best of us