Does an aquarium need to be on a level area

I've been worrying about this too since our house is very old and has been slowly shifting for several years (Some of our windows cannot be opened anymore because of it).

What's the best way to level out a tank that is already set up? (29 gal) I think the tank itself would have to be leveled since the stand is an old (very sturdy) table with 5 legs that have casters (i.e. they might slide off any support...and no we don't care about the carpet)
 
You shouldn't attempt to level a filled aquarium. It's a disaster waiting to happen. Take at least 90% of the water out and you can level it.

Check the level of the stand to see how much it's off. Check the floor to see how much it's off. A good indication of an out of level tank is that the water on one side or corner tends to be higher than the rest of the tank. A gradient to that corner that is.

Some people use styrofoam sheets 1/2" thick under tanks to level them. I'm opposed to this method because the styrofoam compresses over time to the point that there is nothing between the surface that it is on and the tank.
 
i am thinking i should level my 55 it is good in front but the side i can see the water line is slanted lower in back higher in front

so what do i do drain most of the water try and lift it
it is on a wood stand 2x4 and ply wood and pine
 
Yeah, I knew I would have to drain it, but it's the material to use that I'm a little stumped over. It's prob safer to try to level the stand anyway, since I'm worried about causing extra stress on other points.

What I might do is try to get some plywood boards (1 thicker than other), and get some help lifting the table (it really is very heavy), to try to even things out.
 
I have 8 tanks plus a hospital tank. All of the tanks are completley level all the way around. I do have one that is slightly un level and it is a bit less than 1/8 inch un level from front to back. I Would rather spend the 10 minutes to level it completley then the hundreds of dollars and the mess it would make if it were to leak or break. I would say anything more than 1/8 inch is too much and extremely risky! If the stand is level the tank will be level. I always level the stand then place the tank and fill it with a little water then make sure everything is level before filling it all the way up.
 
Shims..use shims...
I do agree that much of the water should be removed..
the shims can come in a variety of materials..common are wood shims..you can also get plastic and metal.
they are tapered..so you just need to get them started. and tap the wedge/shim in slowly..
 
Nolapete said:
You shouldn't attempt to level a filled aquarium. It's a disaster waiting to happen. Take at least 90% of the water out and you can level it.

Check the level of the stand to see how much it's off. Check the floor to see how much it's off. A good indication of an out of level tank is that the water on one side or corner tends to be higher than the rest of the tank. A gradient to that corner that is.

Some people use styrofoam sheets 1/2" thick under tanks to level them. I'm opposed to this method because the styrofoam compresses over time to the point that there is nothing between the surface that it is on and the tank.
Click to expand...

I have a 1" thick piece of white foam under my tank, that fits PERFECTLY inside the frame, and other than the tank sinking into the foam such that the glass is supported, and the frame is impressed into it, this thing hasn't seemed to compress any more..

How long is it going to take a 600Lb+ tank to make this thing compress so my tank actually touches my stand, and isnt just sitting on this block of foam.

I was hoping it would compress right away.

And I dont think your statement is entirely true. While the foam will compress it will only compress as much as it takes to get the tank sitting on the stand the foam underneath will still support the glass, how would it compres any further?
 
star_rider said:
Shims..use shims...
I do agree that much of the water should be removed..
the shims can come in a variety of materials..common are wood shims..you can also get plastic and metal.
they are tapered..so you just need to get them started. and tap the wedge/shim in slowly..
Click to expand...

thats the way to go!
 
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