View Full Version : tank tilting slightly
Across the length of my 150 i notice the water is about 1/4 inch lower on the right then left will this cause any long term damage to the tank or fish.
The tank is made by oceanic, so the glass is about 1/2'' thick.
Im able to fill the water so the tilt cant be seen, so im not to worried about the look of it just the effects it will have.
btw this is after a recent move. the stand was level when i measured before and was fine during the last year.
Slappy*McFish
12-20-2003, 9:07 AM
Probably not. I wouldn't be overly concerned about 1/4" over the length of a 150...but if you're worried, drain the tank and level it.
i was thinking about leveling it in a month, about 50% of the water is new, so dont wana do 2 50% waterchanges in only about a week. just wana make sure it would be ok untill then, thanks
sumoschro
12-20-2003, 12:41 PM
It might not have anything to do with the stand itself, but the floor it's resting on. 150 gallons is a lot of weight and the floor might be bowing slightly. Shouldnt be a problem though.
anonapersona
12-20-2003, 4:42 PM
I have read that the really important thing is that the slope is constant from one end to the other. If the water line is level and then changes to sloping mid-way, you have a problem, because uneven slant or bowing up in the middle will create twisting and cracking stresses on the tank.
If the slope is constant from one end to the other, it is probably OK. while I've never had a tank as large as youre, I've never been able to get it much more level than 1/4 off from one end to the other.
125gJoe
12-20-2003, 9:36 PM
My opinion is you have a quality tank with Oceanic and 1/4 inch won't cause a problem. It's good to hear you don't have to see the water line on that side!
I had to slightly shim one side of my 125g. Glad I did that before adding the water.. The tank was only slightly offset - less than 1/4 inch.
slipknottin
12-20-2003, 11:30 PM
Originally posted by anonapersona
If the water line is level and then changes to sloping mid-way,
:confused: How exactly can water do that?
someone mentioned to me once a good way to hide this "oops" is to run a strip of black tape around the bottom of the trim piece. (assuming you have black trim.)
a good trick for leveling the tank..... put an inch or so of water in the tank once it's setup. *then* measure from the top of the trim to the water line. this will show how far it's off alot easier than using a level. just take measurements on all 4 corners of the tank and use this to adjust your shims or whatever. do NOT use shims directly under the tank, they must be used under the stand. with a large tank the bottom should be fully (evenly) supported by whatever it's on. i also use cardboard or insulation between the tank and stand to smooth any imperfections. (cardboard for smaller tanks, insulation board for larger ones.)
good luck
edit: speeling
anonapersona
12-21-2003, 12:47 PM
Originally posted by slipknottin
:confused: How exactly can water do that?
With a long tank, it is possible for the floor to be humped in the middle. A level from side to side will show the tank level, but it is under stress in spite of that and can crack.
Or the floor could dip unevenly, with it being level on one side then falling away.
Rare, but I've read about it.
chefkeith
12-21-2003, 3:09 PM
To level my 6' stand I had to make a 6' shim from a 2x4. The shim is 1/2" on one side sloping down to a 1/4" on the other. This made the stand perfectly level. Then after filling the tank with water, it was 1/8" off level. Kinda odd, but I guess the weight of the tank leveled the floor some. I think the subflooring was bubbled out a bit, but the weight of the tank flattened it out.
anonapersona
12-21-2003, 9:07 PM
I filled my tank 2 or 3 times when I was trying to get it level. First time just to the bottom rim, then to the top. Then adjusted as needed, added more bracing to the stand, added a cushion under the tank. Filled to the bottom rim, then to the top (it was still a bit off level) I said "what the heck" and drained, added gravel, planted, filled it up -- it is straight! How did that happen?
Prometheus
12-21-2003, 9:15 PM
Donno if this is your problem but...
When I moved, I made sure my stand was level before putting on the tank...
I fill it up and the water isn't level!!!! or so it appeared... Some how in the move, the top trin had slightly lifted on one side (about 1/4") and gave the apperance that the tank / stand wasn't level...
I used a rubber mallet to hammer down the trim on one side, problem fixed...
Slappy*McFish
12-21-2003, 11:08 PM
I still think using a 'level' is the best way to go.
125gJoe
12-22-2003, 12:54 AM
Originally posted by ewok
... .... do NOT use shims directly under the tank, they must be used under the stand. .... ......
I hope no one has shimmed the tank !!
It's good you mentioned that........
:eek:
Slappy*McFish
12-22-2003, 9:38 AM
lol..I should hope not...a little common sense will tell you that wouldn't be a very good idea...but alas, there probably are some dim-wits out there who have done it.
the tank was level before i filled it, and was level half way full, i noticed it unlevel once it was full, the floor is cement though O-o
><(((\"> JLange
12-22-2003, 9:06 PM
Originally posted by zin
long term damage to the fish.
Don't try and level the tank now the fish will all swim diagonally in the tank. You will see them all trying to swim uphill. LoL
anonapersona
12-23-2003, 8:33 AM
Is this tank on carpet? The padding may be made of recycled chunks of stuff, might compress differently under one foot or corner. Or you may be too close to the tack rail that holds the carpet at the wall.