To shim or not to shim, Dat is de question?

jcinnb

Hope I have not worn our my welcome...yet!

OK, we live in an old "historic" home in New Bern. We knew that going in.

Having said that, there is nothing like a 4 foot tank, 1/4 filled with water (still planting) to show you how much the floor is sloped.

It almost makes me seasick. I would say in 48 inches, we are down almost an inch, for sure. So, when I fill the tank, the low end will be full, and the high end will be unsightly, below the rim of the tank. Don't like that.

So...

Should I shim the tank, or shim the stand, or just let it be?

I built the stand, and the base is 2 x 4's on their side, all the way around. I liked this 'cause I felt that would distribute the weight very evenly. If I shim, I will loose this apparent advantage. If I shim the tank, I will really be putting pressure on the two ends. Cannot believe that is a good idea...but I do not know.

Just do not know what to do. My wife's comments have stabilized at about 6 per hour, down from 90 cph, but I need some help on this one. As always, thanks in advance.


jcinnb

tanker

As far as I know, the stand must be level, both directions (longwise, and front-to-back), and diagonally. If it's not level, the tank could be twisted and break.

aunt kymmie

Shim! Out of curiousity, what is your flooring/foundation made of??

jcinnb

AK: Our floors are heart pine, foundation are on "real 4 x 12s". This area was used for managers housing at an old lumber mill, 1880's - 1940's. It and my shed have "real wood" I will tell you , "real" 2x4 look huge compared to today's brand.

OK, I got it fixed, thanks for your consideration.

I measured, after posting and I was down 1 1/16 at 48 inches.

I went out to the table saw, ripped two 48 inch 2x4s from 0 to 1 1/16, and ripped another for the end.

Came in drained tank, took out the heavy Malaysian driftwood, moved small kitchen table beside tank stand, and the four of us, wife and 17 and 19 year old daughters, moved tank to table, flipped stand, nailed on the two 48" pieces on the bottom sides, nailed on the end, flipped stand, put tank back on stand, put in driftwood, refilled to one third full, conditioned water, and tank is PERFECTLY LEVEL NOW, with full support around the bottom of the tank.

Costs: Wife not speaking, 17 year old in room with doom and gloom music blaring, door shut, and 19 year old in shower, to I am sure, use all hot water.

Assessment: Situation normal. Mission Accomplished.

jcinnb

aunt kymmie

LOL!

Your house sounds really nice, minus the blaring music and no hot water.

Romad

Ha ha ha. Good one.

At least you can rest knowing that your tank will be the better for it and thus your pine floors :)

jcinnb

That is for sure. I feel so much better immediately. So glad I fixed it, and it wasn't all that bad to do so. THanks for note.

jcinnb

tanker

Ha ha. You need that sense of humour in the fishkeeping game

Glad you got it sorted. You are lucky to have the handyman skills and equipment to have sorted it so quickly.

I can't wait to see the tank photos.