180 Gallon Tank Need help with a unlevel tank!

I am a little concerned and could use some advice on what I should do about leveling my tank. I currently have a 75 gal freshwater tank which I am going to be replacing with a 180 gal tank, but set up on the opposite side of the room. Now the problem is, is that the whole house is not level for whatever reason and it is lower on the left side. (I had originally thought only my bedroom floor was not level but turns out it's the whole house). I did not know this until the day I filled my 75gal up with water and saw the water level was off from side to side. Now when I say it's off, I mean it is off side-to-side, by 3/4", which to me seems like a lot. I never did do anything about leveling the 75gal tank and left it as it was, and thankfully it's been fine and I never have had any issues with it. But with the 180 gal being as large as it is, I can already foresee a bad outcome happening if it is off-level. So as of right now, I haven't put anything in the tank yet and it is still empty. I did check the tank using a 6' level and the bubble is off-center. I attached 3 photos showing the position of the bubble. 1 side-to-side and 2 diagonal. So, how (and using what) is the best way to make it level? Shim between the stand and floor? Or between the tank and the stand? It makes me nervous, the size and weight of this tank if something was to go wrong, so I just want to make sure that it is set up perfectly. Oh and before I forget, the 180 gal tank rests on an iron stand, which is atop tile flooring, with concrete slab foundation. I would just like to say in advance that I am greatly appreciative of any and all advice/input given. Im not sure if there is anything else that might be of importance I might have left out, but if so let me know. Thank you

 

You need to check for level from front to back too - side to side is one thing, front to back is another and if both of those are level, the diagonal will be fine.

If there is no worry about damaging the tile, you could shim each leg of the stand, using something that won’t compress under the weight.

Another way would be to get a slab of plywood cut to size and shim that ‘til it is perfectly level, again using shim material that’s not going to compress and then put the stand on the levelled slab.

The slab of plywood should be sanded at least enough to do away with any possibility of splinters and can be painted so it’s not too obtrusive if you choose to use this method.
This is one task where being a raving perfectionist would be a good thing. Being slightly off level in one plane may not bother a lot of tanks but with the weight of that much water plus the tank and decor, I would want it perfectly level just for peace of mind, not appearances.

 

Shim between floor and stand. 3/4 is a lot to shim. Picture of stand will help.

 

You need to check for level from front to back too - side to side is one thing, front to back is another and if both of those are level, the diagonal will be fine.

If there is no worry about damaging the tile, you could shim each leg of the stand, using something that won’t compress under the weight.

Another way would be to get a slab of plywood cut to size and shim that ‘til it is perfectly level, again using shim material that’s not going to compress and then put the stand on the levelled slab.

The slab of plywood should be sanded at least enough to do away with any possibility of splinters and can be painted so it’s not too obtrusive if you choose to use this method.
This is one task where being a raving perfectionist would be a good thing. Being slightly off level in one plane may not bother a lot of tanks but with the weight of that much water plus the tank and decor, I would want it perfectly level just for peace of mind, not appearances.

I added a photo of the stand since I didn't do that before. I like the idea of using the plywood as a shim. I only thought of these plastic shims that I have that are about 1.5" wide by like 6" long, but didn't think it was a good idea. So since my stand isn't completely flat on the ground and has a "foot" on each corner, as you can see in the one photo I added. (Sorry about the cat in the photo lol she has to be involved in everything I do) So I don't need like a wedge type shim, it would be more of like just a board under the feet to lift it up just enough to be level, correct? And as far as being concerned with how it would look or the tile possibly being ruined? I could care less about either one. My main and only concern is that this tank is as close to being as perfectly level as can be. Failure is not an option, not with this!

Shim between floor and stand. 3/4 is a lot to shim. Picture of stand will help.

I forgot to put a photo of the stand before, here it is
Yeah I need to lift the right end up 1" for it to be level.

 

I added a photo of the stand since I didn't do that before. I like the idea of using the plywood as a shim. I only thought of these plastic shims that I have that are about 1.5" wide by like 6" long, but didn't think it was a good idea. So since my stand isn't completely flat on the ground and has a "foot" on each corner, as you can see in the one photo I added. (Sorry about the cat in the photo lol she has to be involved in everything I do) So I don't need like a wedge type shim, it would be more of like just a board under the feet to lift it up just enough to be level, correct? And as far as being concerned with how it would look or the tile possibly being ruined? I could care less about either one. My main and only concern is that this tank is as close to being as perfectly level as can be. Failure is not an option, not with this!

I forgot to put a photo of the stand before, here it is

You need shims under the plywood that fill up that vacant space or the plywood may bend and that would not be good. Actual tiles might make good shims for this if the height is right, as they won’t compress.

The stand appears to have rust on it. If I were you, I’d make part of this project sanding that rust off and painting it with rust paint. I was just watching my LFS fishroom manager the other day working on their new shelving, as an entire section of it had rusted so badly it had to be replaced. They got 15 years out of it from brand new but rust should never be tolerated near water because every splash just encourages it.

 

I would make a base under the stand to level it. The feet are probably 2”x1/4” thick angle. A level base lifts the whole stand and makes a solid base. If you shim the feet they are all now not flush to the floor.
Is this a used tank you bought or yourtank?

 

You need shims under the plywood that fill up that vacant space or the plywood may bend and that would not be good. Actual tiles might make good shims for this if the height is right, as they won’t compress.

The stand appears to have rust on it. If I were you, I’d make part of this project sanding that rust off and painting it with rust paint. I was just watching my LFS fishroom manager the other day working on their new shelving, as an entire section of it had rusted so badly it had to be replaced. They got 15 years out of it from brand new but rust should never be tolerated near water because every splash just encourages it.

I agree with you about the rust and removing it. I just bought the tank and stand yesterday so I haven't had time yet to work on it. Wasn't sure what type of paint exactly would be OK to use on it.

I would make a base under the stand to level it. The feet are probably 2”x1/4” thick angle. A level base lifts the whole stand and makes a solid base. If you shim the feet they are all now not flush to the floor.
Is this a used tank you bought or yourtank?

It was a used tank and stand I bought from someone online. I build stands myself so I was thinking about just building a new one and getting rid of the Ole rust bucket it came with. But I really haven't gave it too much thought yet on what I want to do.

I agree with you about the rust and removing it. I just bought the tank and stand yesterday so I haven't had time yet to work on it. Wasn't sure what type of paint exactly would be OK to use on it.

It was a used tank and stand I bought from someone online. I build stands myself so I was thinking about just building a new one and getting rid of the Ole rust bucket it came with. But I really haven't gave it too much thought yet on what I want to do.

At this rate I think I might just be better off building my own stand. Because then at least I can make the necessary adjustments needed to make it level.

 

Yes if building your own stand you can build to fit. Next I see it’s got two holes in the bottom for overflows. I would seal them temporarily and full that tank outside and make sure it hold water. Stand looks old. Tank may be an old tank that was drilled later. I full all second hand tanks outside and leave sitting for at least a week.

 

Yes if building your own stand you can build to fit. Next I see it’s got two holes in the bottom for overflows. I would seal them temporarily and full that tank outside and make sure it hold water. Stand looks old. Tank may be an old tank that was drilled later. I full all second hand tanks outside and leave sitting for at least a week.

I do plan on bringing the tank outside to do a fill. There are actually 4 holes, which I already went and bought bulkheads to plug them with. It also had 2 overflow boxes which I removed since I won't be using those. I didn't want the water sitting inside and getting stagnant. As for the stand, it is going out to the garage to find a new life as something else. I went last night and bought lumber for the new stand build. Maybe when I am done with the stand I will post pics of it.
Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and help! I appreciate it, and so now that I had time to think about it all, I am going to be ditching the rust bucket and I am going to be building a new stand instead. At least his way I can accommodate for the uneven floor. Will possibly post pics of the stand when its finished, in case anyone is interested in seeing it. Thank you all again.

 

I do plan on bringing the tank outside to do a fill. There are actually 4 holes, which I already went and bought bulkheads to plug them with. It also had 2 overflow boxes which I removed since I won't be using those. I didn't want the water sitting inside and getting stagnant. As for the stand, it is going out to the garage to find a new life as something else. I went last night and bought lumber for the new stand build. Maybe when I am done with the stand I will post pics of it.
Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and help! I appreciate it, and so now that I had time to think about it all, I am going to be ditching the rust bucket and I am going to be building a new stand instead. At least his way I can accommodate for the uneven floor. Will possibly post pics of the stand when it’s finished, in case anyone is interested in seeing it. Thank you all again.

To me it’s always interesting to see what others build! I’m going to be building one that I intend to cover in fabric so it will be unique looking, assuming it turns out as well IRL as it looks in my imagination .

 

Yes stand buildsare helpful to many. I used the king of diy’s info for building my stands. About the metal stand. People are looking for them. They are great as long as the welds are good! Sand it down and it will be fine. Sell it before throwing it away. Here in NY they go for as much as $100.

 

To me it’s always interesting to see what others build! I’m going to be building one that I intend to cover in fabric so it will be unique looking, assuming it turns out as well IRL as it looks in my imagination .

I just posted a new thread with photos of the new stand. Not completely finished yet, (needs doors and a few shelves still) but the main frame is finished if you want to check it out. So you said you were going to cover yours in fabric? That sounds interesting, would like to see it when its done!

Yes stand buildsare helpful to many. I used the king of diy’s info for building my stands. About the metal stand. People are looking for them. They are great as long as the welds are good! Sand it down and it will be fine. Sell it before throwing it away. Here in NY they go for as much as $100.

Oh, well I just drug it out to the side of the house and was going to toss it but maybe not. Maybe I will fix it up then and sell it like you suggested because yes, the welds are fine. Thanks for the info.