To level or not to level

[brad shawn]

that is the question. Red Sea reefer 250 is out of level front to back. Put shims underneath it and I was not comfortable with the way it feels. Red seas cabinet has plastic feet I shin it and they are off the floor in the middle of the cabinet. However there is a foam pad underneath the tank itself and the tank is current empty. If I add the weight of the water will said foam pad compress and help the tank “self level “ and suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[Peace River]

How much off from level? What type of floor/flooring? IMO I would shim at all contact points to the appropriate amount and would not leave the tank out of level or trust the pad to make up the difference.

 

[brad shawn]

that is the question. Red Sea reefer 250 is out of level front to back. Put shims underneath it and I was not comfortable with the way it feels. Red seas cabinet has plastic feet I shin it and they are off the floor in the middle of the cabinet. However there is a foam pad underneath the tank itself and the tank is current empty. If I add the weight of the water will said foam pad compress and help the tank “self level “ and suggestions greatly appreciated.

How much off from level? What type of floor/flooring? IMO I would shim at all contact points to the appropriate amount and would not leave the tank out of level or trust the pad to make up the difference.

looks to be about 3/8 of an inch over a 2 foot level. It’s on hardwood flooring

 

[Jon Fishman]

I would shim the stand

 

[Peace River]

looks to be about 3/8 of an inch over a 2 foot level. It’s on hardwood flooring

Is that the same on both ends or is the tank twisting slightly?

 

[cmcoker]

I put those felt furniture sliders under the middle pegs so they still make contact with the floor and they will compress a bit as well. My reefer 250 was off front to back, with the back being higher so I shimmed under each foot on the sides and front to get level.

With no euro bracing, I want it level. The foam under the tank only gives so much.

Wish they put the adjustable feet on all the reefer series, not just the big ones..

Might ask in the reefer thread, I think some have added adjustable feet but I wasnt comfortable with modifying it that much

 

[brad shawn]

Is that the same on both ends or is the tank twisting slightly?

Same on both ends. I just shimmed around the perimeter. Close to the feet. My only concern is the center brace under the cabinet that I can access. It feels good it looks good I just know the 2 front feet on the cross brace under the cabinet are floating

 

[brad shawn]

I put those felt furniture sliders under the middle pegs so they still make contact with the floor and they will compress a bit as well. My reefer 250 was off front to back, with the back being higher so I shimmed under each foot on the sides and front to get level.

With no euro bracing, I want it level. The foam under the tank only gives so much.

Wish they put the adjustable feet on all the reefer series, not just the big ones..

Might ask in the reefer thread, I think some have added adjustable feet but I wasnt comfortable with modifying it that much

I put those felt furniture sliders under the middle pegs so they still make contact with the floor and they will compress a bit as well. My reefer 250 was off front to back, with the back being higher so I shimmed under each foot on the sides and front to get level.

With no euro bracing, I want it level. The foam under the tank only gives so much.

Wish they put the adjustable feet on all the reefer series, not just the big ones..

Might ask in the reefer thread, I think some have added adjustable feet but I wasnt comfortable with modifying it that much

I was thinking about switching out to adjustable feet. But like you I’m not comfortable with modifying a pressboard cabinet.

 

[Peace River]

Same on both ends. I just shimmed around the perimeter. Close to the feet. My only concern is the center brace under the cabinet that I can access. It feels good it looks good I just know the 2 front feet on the cross brace under the cabinet are floating

That is good news that it is equal and that you are able to shim the perimeter. Maybe I am not visualizing it correctly, but is there a reason that you can't also shim the front two feet?

 

[brad shawn]

That is good news that it is equal and that you are able to shim the perimeter. Maybe I am not visualizing it correctly, but is there a reason that you can't also shim the front two feet?

I can get a shim under the front two feet and the side feet ( haven’t got that far yet I took a beer break lol) Which I will do. The center cross base is the one I can’t get to. But if all the perimeter is shimmed and solid that means all 4 corners are sound I should be good?

 

[Peace River]

@pelphrey, who is active on R2R, posted a video on YouTube a few years ago called "Red Sea Reefer 250 Is Your Tank Level?". Hopefully he can share his thoughts on your question. Additionally, his YouTube channel is worth subscribing to for a lot of other great reefing information.

 

[brad shawn]

@pelphrey, who is active on R2R, posted a video on YouTube a few years ago called "Red Sea Reefer 250 Is Your Tank Level?". Hopefully he can share his thoughts on your question. Additionally, his YouTube channel is worth subscribing to for a lot of other great reefing information.

Great thank you I’ll check him out and if I’m stuck I’ll reach out to him thanks!

 

[pelphrey]

I got lucky and my floor was level, ironically I was looking at my tank the other day and thought “how would I shine this anyway with those rubber feet”.

I’m sure someone has had to adjust their tank, wish I could offer some advice. I’d like to know what others have done as well!

 

[Peace River]

I can get a shim under the front two feet and the side feet ( haven’t got that far yet I took a beer break lol) Which I will do. The center cross base is the one I can’t get to. But if all the perimeter is shimmed and solid that means all 4 corners are sound I should be good?

As a general rule with a tank with a frame you only need to be worried about shimming the perimeter of the stand, however I believe that all of your glass sits on the stand so I would encourage you to find a way to support/shim those center feet. It may be overkill, but personally I would be more comfortable to take the time for the extra risk management. Good luck!

 

[brad shawn]

I got lucky and my floor was level, ironically I was looking at my tank the other day and thought “how would I shine this anyway with those rubber feet”.

I’m sure someone has had to adjust their tank, wish I could offer some advice. I’d like to know what others have done as well!

Came across your YouTube video.

As a general rule with a tank with a frame you only need to be worried about shimming the perimeter of the stand, however I believe that all of your glass sits on the stand so I would encourage you to find a way to support/shim those center feet. It may be overkill, but personally I would be more comfortable to take the time for the extra risk management. Good luck!

yea I know what’s going to happen is I’ll shim it level take some measurements flip the cabinet over and build up the bottom with wood I don’t want to do that but it’s going to be the right job.

 

[brad shawn]

I got lucky and my floor was level, ironically I was looking at my tank the other day and thought “how would I shine this anyway with those rubber feet”.

I’m sure someone has had to adjust their tank, wish I could offer some advice. I’d like to know what others have done as well!

Yea they definitely don’t help at all those plastic feet. I’m going to have to modify the cabinet. Shouldn’t be too terrible to do. But it’s gonna have to get done.

 

[brad shawn]

Came across your YouTube video.

yea I know what’s going to happen is I’ll shim it level take some measurements flip the cabinet over and build up the bottom with wood I don’t want to do that but it’s going to be the right job.

And the.ln reinstall the plastic nubs I forgot that part. If they are like a yontwr one should just be a nail on the back of it I can pull them out and hammer them back in once the wood is added. Eh we shall see.

 

[brad shawn]

Got the composite shims around the perimeter and went by feel to find the one foot in the middle of the cabinet with a long Cedar shim.