Tank not level?

[BamaGirl]

Last week I purchased a 55 gal. tank and this week I got a metal stand to go with it. As far as I know everything is an All- Glass Aquarium product. I put 2 ten gallons on the bottom of the stand and noticed that they were slightly unlevel, both leaned a little to the left if you are looking at them (by looking at the water level in them). I thought I would go and get some plywood and it would fix the problem next time I do a water change on them. Well set up the 55, and I checked the level of the stand before putting the tank on and filling, and guess what....after filling the tank the water level is not level either. On the left side the is about a 1/4" clearance and the right side a 1/2" clearance. So what could be the problem? The tank is on carpet and I would assume that the weight of the tank would even it out. I was even thinking about if I tried to smooth the gravel out with a little more at the right side if that would make a difference. Any suggestions or anything? Will it be o.k. or will it eventually break? Help!!!
Thanks, Michelle

 

[smb]

Not sure what could be the problem. Could it be the stand itself that isn't level?

I wouldn't set up the aquarium until it's level tho because it could weaken it.

 

[BamaGirl]

SMB,
Did you change your avatar?
The stand is pretty much level, only a very ,very slight difference at the right side. I don't have the water all the way to the top, like where the plastic meets the glass and thats how I can tell. If I had the water slightly above the plastic I wouldn't even have known or thought about it. What to do, what to do....
Michelle

 

[smb]

SMB,
Did you change your avatar?

Yea, I did it yesterday before the Gator v. Cane game. Trying to inspire my beloved Gators to a win but it wasn't meant to be.

Looks like it might be another long year for Florida Gator football. I didn't think about it before but being a BamaGirl you would notice that. Too bad we don't play each other this year tho. That would be fun to get on each other during the week leading up to it.

Per your problem- I honestly am stumped and don't know what to do. All I can say is to get a level and check the slope of the floor then. If it's sloped that might make it still unlevel if you raise the whole stand with plywood?

I'm sorry Bamagirl. Hopefully someone else will be able to help you out soon.

Anyone have this problem before that can help?

 

[Alien Anna]

I have one tank on a built-in wall thingy that used to be part of an extremely 70s fire-place. It looks perfectly level but it isn't - the water is higher at one end than the other. However, my surveyor said not to worry - it's just your house sinking into the clay. So, nothing to worry about there...

 

[smb]

However, my surveyor said not to worry - it's just your house sinking into the clay. So, nothing to worry about there...

LOL!!! I'm sorry Alien Anna. It's not funny that that's happening but the way you said it cracked me up!!!

 

[graemesmith]

Well assuming you have measured the glass amd it is equally high both sides - your tank is NOT level. If the glass IS different lengths - up to you to decide if you want to take it back!!

Right - if it is a half way to reputable tank - it IS equally made so - You CANNOT assume the weight will sort out your carpet. If it is wrong now - it won't get any betta - sorry couldn't resist that -

If it is out by 1/4" then you need to shim up the feet on one side by 1/8" (half the amount you are out).

Level is vital or it may fall over. Especially if the cat figures it out.......

 

[BamaGirl]

Thanks to everyone who replied. Alien Anna, that makes me feel better that you have one too without any problems, how many Gals. is it? I am just concerned that the left side may blow out. I really don't guess it would especially since its siliconed so well and the glass is thick and the plastic trim should keep everything in place. It looks perfectly level and the only way you can tell is from the water in it. I may try to drain the water out and shim on one side. I'm just not too excited about trying to empty 55 gals. of water out. I will try to redo the 2 ten gallons with the plywood tomorrow and see if it makes a difference. If I do end up draining the 55 is there an easy way with the garden hose (thats how I filled it) without have to suck on the other end to get the water siphoning? Do they make tools or pumps for this? Thanks again!


BTW SMB,
Bama got beat pretty bad yesterday! I will have to keep checking on the Gators just in case I get the chance to give you a hard time!
Michelle

 

[Alien Anna]

Thanks to everyone who replied. Alien Anna, that makes me feel better that you have one too without any problems, how many Gals. is it? I am just concerned that the left side may blow out.

It's a 120 litre (30 gal) tank. But the wonkiness isn't severe anyway - about 1cm difference between the two ends.

 

[CFC]

Get yourself a sheet of 3/4" polystyrene to put under the tank between the stand and the base of the tank, if the difference is only slight the polystyrene will compress to take out the difference.

 

[focus]

as cfc said
i did that and all leavel now