How Dangerous Is It Not To Have A Level Tank?

[DanielG]

Hi i recently set up my tank and have noticed that it is not 100% level, one side is very slightly lower than the other, its must have sunk slightly in the carpet that side.

It is only a millimeter or 2 out and is nt really noticeable but i was wondering if this would put an additional strain on the glass and one day break causing mass water damage!!

The tank is 33 gallons rio 125 81x36x50

 

[merry78]

I would definitely suggest something like a large flat board on your carpet, then a layer of styrofoam, then your tank. imo, unlevel tank=wet floor+dry fish.

 

[backtotropical]

This will undoubtedly put undue strain on the aquarium glass, and may lead to a leak or even a crack or it just totally bursting one day. It might be ok but i wouldn't risk it. Level it out.

 

[Lynda B]

We have an older house. My 30 gallon is off by maybe 1/2 inch or so. I think as long as you have a solid base beneath the tank, then you should be okay.

 

[andywg]

a couple of mm is nothing to really worry about. I don't think any of my tanks sit perfectly level.

 

[DanielG]

where can you get these sheets of styrofoam?

 

[Robris]

my tank is not 100% level its prob off by 1cm, it sits on a carpet mat which is on my actuall carpet, I have a piece of styrofoam on my tank cabinet which my tank sits on, Ive heard this is extremely important to absorb vibrations, get it from a hardware store

 

[chishnfips]

my tank in the livinhg room is about 3-4 mm out on one side and has been for two years, I wouldn't worry about it to be honest

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

There was a person on another forum who lost 4 large tanks in a row...seals kept giving out and he'd get it replaced with a new tank/stand every time. The cause? A small difference in the tile level around the wall causing the tank to be slightly un-level.

Even small tanks can have seams give out eventually.

 

[Musho3210]

i siliconed a few pennies together and put them under the stand.

 

[DanielG]

also are layers of styrofoam nessessary when the tank has a raised bottom?

if so can anyone from the uk tell me which shops you can get them from?

 

[ebrcknrdg]

also are layers of styrofoam nessessary when the tank has a raised bottom?

if so can anyone from the uk tell me which shops you can get them from?

i didnt put those little black things on the bottom of my tank. The weight is evened out if the the stand has a flat bottom

 

[Lynda B]

ebrcknrdg brings up the most important point, in my opinion. If the weight of the tank is stabilized, there should be no problem. In my case, I know that my tank is level on my table. Said table is level on the floor. It's just the floor that is not level and, as said above, off by perhaps 1/4 - 1/2 inch. I'm actually going to measure it when I get home because now my interest is piqued.

Anyway..... as long as my tank is stable, and there are no weak points between the tank and the table, I believe my tank is safe from any stress fractures.

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Yeah I had a tank that was actually around an inch off in the leveling from the left to right side. It was sitting like that for 10 years. I still use it to this day. It's probably all in all a 20 year old tank. about 35 gallons.

 

[DanielG]

also are layers of styrofoam nessessary when the tank has a raised bottom?

if so can anyone from the uk tell me which shops you can get them from?

i didnt put those little black things on the bottom of my tank. The weight is evened out if the the stand has a flat bottom

oh ok, i think i ll do a big water change so i can move the tank and take off the black things tonight