Glass bowing and tank not entirely level

[kwall737]

So read a post recently on a different forum about tank that was initially level, but when the owner checked it again after he had water in it, it was no longer level. Most people told him to empty his tank and get it right, which got me wondering - i haven’t checked mine again since i put water, rock and sand in the thing. So i did, and noticed that going along the front of the tank I’m still level, but going from back to front or front to back, my setup is off just a bit now. Also looked down the front line of the glass, and noticed an ever so slight bow to the glass which got me worried even more ... didn’t think glass tanks did that. Tank is a Waterbox 130.4 that i was just about to put my first fish in, and wondering if i should attempt to fix this now or are things ok?? Thanks for the help!

 

[Webslinger]

does the stand have the same unlevelness

 

[BZOFIQ]

THis needs to be addressed before you go any further.

drain some water, level it then refill

 

[Webslinger]

not if his stand has the same unlevelness

 

[kwall737]

does the stand have the same unlevelness

Tough to check because the glass of the tank is flush with the edge of the stand, but the area underneath the tank where my sump/engine room are is level. The doors are showing a little off as well, but had to do a good bit of adjusting on those to get em evened up, so not really trusting that

 

[homer1475]

OMG you people....

That's absolutely fine. Your worried about a 1/16 of an inch out of level. There is always some settling after you add all the weight. if it really worries you, shove some shims under the back corners of the stand.

I would be willing to bet, once you emptied it, it would be level again. Then out again once filled.

 

[kwall737]

not if his stand has the same unlevelness

Was able to put the level on the edge of the stand by the glass, and looks to be similar to the tank

 

[kwall737]

OMG you people....

That's absolutely fine. Your worried about a 1/16 of an inch out of level. There is always some settling after you add all the weight. if it really worries you, shove some shims under the back corners of the stand.

I would be willing to bet, once you emptied it, it would be level again. Then out again once filled.

I appreciate that. Normally wouldn’t be worried at all, but that other thread on the Waterbox fb page got me concerned. They were telling him it could lead to tank failure if he didn’t correct it! Honestly haven’t heard about that coming from a not perfectly leveled tank, so just making sure

 

[homer1475]

130G(technically 126.9G), that 1/16" is fine and I would be willing to bet you'll never even notice it.

 

[BZOFIQ]

OMG you people....

That's absolutely fine. Your worried about a 1/16 of an inch out of level. There is always some settling after you add all the weight. if it really worries you, shove some shims under the back corners of the stand.

I would be willing to bet, once you emptied it, it would be level again. Then out again once filled.

You sound pretty sure considering you havent seen it. If his tank starts leaking will you be there for that guy?

Tank should be level, unleveled tanks develop problems. If you know something is not level why not take corrective measures now instead of approaching it with "good enough" mentality?

Does the stand have adjustable legs?

 

[kwall737]

You sound pretty sure considering you havent seen it. If his tank starts leaking will you be there for that guy?

Tank should be level, unleveled tanks develop problems. If you know something is not level why not take corrective measures now instead of approaching it with "good enough" mentality?

Does the stand have adjustable legs?

It sure does

 

[BZOFIQ]

so do this, drain 2/3 of water into BRUTE containers or similar and re-check level.

If needed, adjust level and fill it back up. Check again.

Depending on how that cabinet was built, you may have to drain more as the weight will not allow you to adjust the cabinet. Reach out to manufacturer if unsure.

 

[homer1475]

If it has adjustable feet, then I would level it, but I would certainly not be loosing sleep over it.

Some people just freak out over nothing.

FWIW, why would I need to see the tank? I can read a bubble on a level.

 

[BZOFIQ]

If it has adjustable feet, then I would level it, but I would certainly not be loosing sleep over it.

Some people just freak out over nothing.

FWIW, why would I need to see the tank? I can read a bubble on a level.

Yes, we all can see the posted picture of the level and it is clearly off.

What you are sure about is that once you drain the tank it will be level. How can you tell by looking the the picture provided?

 

[Webslinger]

Was able to put the level on the edge of the stand by the glass, and looks to be similar to the tank

no worries then. A twist in the glass is all you needed to worry about. With it the same as the stand there are no issues. It won't crack. You could empty some water and relevel the stand.

 

[kwall737]

so do this, drain 2/3 of water into BRUTE containers or similar and re-check level.

If needed, adjust level and fill it back up. Check again.

Depending on how that cabinet was built, you may have to drain more as the weight will not allow you to adjust the cabinet. Reach out to manufacturer if unsure.

Checking with Waterbox now to see what they say as well

 

[ca1ore]

Hang on …..

Please ignore the over-reactors . First, on any floor other than slab, the weight of the tank as it fills almost always causes the floor to deflect a bit which means the front settles more than the back. According to the pictures of your levels, the tank is slightly out of level EQUALLY across its full length. This is a good thing. A slightly out of level tank will be fine; it's twisting that kills them. Second, glass tanks bow - particularly rimless tanks. Manufacturers take that into account when they choose glass thickness. I wouldn't worry about it, but if you want a bit of piece of mind put a straight edge on it and see how much its bowing. My guess is 1/4"max, maybe less. Then just ask the manufacturer.

 

[homer1475]

Where did I say I was sure it would be back level? I said "I would be willing to bet", which means maybe I'm wrong, but maybe I'm not?

My tank after settling is out about a 1/4 inch left to right, am I worried about it? No Can I see on the water line how far out it is? NO

Been that way for 4 years now without an issue and not something I'm even worried about. That tank is even less out then mine.

I'm not saying if it's a new setup and easy to level, not to do it. What I was referring to is how you freaked out about it.

Tone obviously is hard to convey in written word, if this was not your intentions I apologize.

 

[kwall737]

no worries then. A twist in the glass is all you needed to worry about. With it the same as the stand there are no issues. It won't crack. You could empty some water and relevel the stand.

Thanks. That bow though that i see in front pane is not something to be worried about? Asking Waterbox the same

 

[homer1475]

Glass is made to bow a little bit, and is built into the thickness of the glass from the manufacturer. It's also taken into consideration when choosing the thickness of glass for the tank.

No it's not something to worry about, and all large glass tanks do it to some degree.