do tAnks need to be level?

Sounds like contradictory statements coming from that link to me.

"A tank doesn't need to be level, but a tank twisting is dangerous."
"Being unlevel can cause a tank to twist."

Wouldn't logic dictate that if being unlevel can cause the twist, the tank DOES need to be level to avoid the danger posed by twisting? If the question is "should a tank be level?" as opposed to "why does a tank need to be level", it doesn't matter if it's the water pressure or a twist that causes the weak spot. Either way it's best to try and get your tank as level as possible.

I did like the person in that link that said an LFS told him not to worry about a certain amount of unlevel because "you can never get a tank 100% level". I mean, we all know you should trust the person trying to sell you something, when it comes to the safety of a product they're trying to sell, right? lol
 
who stated these...

"A tank doesn't need to be level, but a tank twisting is dangerous."
"Being unlevel can cause a tank to twist."
 
Rbishop said:
who stated these...

"A tank doesn't need to be level, but a tank twisting is dangerous."
"Being unlevel can cause a tank to twist."
Click to expand...

It's a quote taken (a bit out of context) from the link provided earlier. If you read the entire explanation it's pretty easy to understand the difference between a tank being simply out of level and a tank that is "twisting". It's not contradictory at all because you can have a tank that is out of level but is not twisting...
 
just wanted to make sure it wasn't here...

and for Rick..you mean I don't need $8 a pound salt?
 
Guess my thoughts are, if you know it is not level, one way, two ways or twisted, why not correct it...?
 
I would say yes, they need to be level because it will drive you nuts even if it doesn't stress the tank! ;)
 
Im with Jannika if you can level it do it. I know my tanks arent level perfectly and when I go to fill the tank I have to fill it more then need be to hide the slight unlevelness <----(That a word? Oh Well lol) of the tank. Had mine setup for years with no harmful effects. It does bug me though but obviously not enough to fix it lol.
 
well see if it were on the front i would get it level but i cant really get to the back to get it level so will i need to level it if its still in the two lines? ill see how far off it is. it doesnt bother me at all bc i dont look through the side of my tank.
 
Rbishop said:
just wanted to make sure it wasn't here...

and for Rick..you mean I don't need $8 a pound salt?
Click to expand...

Nope, when I quote people from posts here, I use the handy dandy forum quote tools (see above ;) ).

And if you were showing interest in salt, or starting a new tank, saltwater or fresh, and I had some $8/lb salt available to sell to you, of course you'd need it! Your fish would all die horrible deaths without it! It cures every known fish illness, disease, and parasite, instantly! It will make your corals grow 17 feet tall! It's 100% plant, invertebrate, and loach safe! When added daily morning cups of coffee, it's even been known to cure cancer in the state of California! You simply can't afford NOT to by this $8/lb salt! Of course you understand, there are no refunds on opened containers of salt...
 
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Any carpenter will tell you that if the bubble is between the lines, then your close enough. The difference between absolutely level, and slightly off but still between the lines is probably a 1/16" or less from front to back on that tank.

What is meant by twist is that if two diagonally opposed corners are both higher or lower than the other two diagonally opposed corners. So say the front left and back right corners are short (think of a chair at a resurant that you can rock diagonally because two opposing diagonal legs are shorter than the other two). That means that with all the weight of the water in the tank, the pressure would be uneven and cause the glass and/or seams to warp, making the likelyhood of a blowout much greater.

If there is no twist when the tank is empty, and the bubble is within the lines on the level, you'll probably be just fine.
 
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