How critical - tank level’ness?

[Billowed]

Brand new reefer 350. How precisely level does the tank need to be? Put in enough water such that one end if the tank has 3/16” of water while the other maybe 1/16”. So maybe 1/8” in height difference. That isn’t that bad that I need to do something about it is it?

 

[ndrwater]

I'd fix it if possible

 

[Cody Clark]

I'm with ndrwater on this one. you will regret this in the future one way or the other. It will only cause more issues ie instability with tank or potential issues with water properly draining down to the sump. Always level the tank as close to perfect before filling.

 

[Ron Reefman]

It's not critical. Remember, we are talking about being CRITICAL here, not just better or important, but critical.

Leveling the stand just isn't that hard unless you already have the tank full of water. I'd say the important thing about being 1/8th of an inch out of level is, how crazy is it going to make you every time you look at the tank and can see the water is higher at one end than it is at the other. If it doesn't bother you, then IMHO, it isn't even close to 'critical'.

 

[BigJohnny]

Brand new reefer 350. How precisely level does the tank need to be? Put in enough water such that one end if the tank has 3/16” of water while the other maybe 1/16”. So maybe 1/8” in height difference. That isn’t that bad that I need to do something about it is it?

What are the dimensions of the tank? If it's under 4 feet long and it's an 1/8" I'd say you should definitely fix it. What's more important though is if the offset is symmetrical. Is that side 1/8" higher in the front AND back or is it different? Torsion is way worse than the tank just tilting very slightly in one direction.

Dont the red sea reefers have leveling feet btw? If so then super easy. Regardless, just level the tank, it's not hard and you'll regret it one way or another.

 

[Billowed]

What are the dimensions of the tank? If it's under 4 feet long and it's an 1/8" I'd say you should definitely fix it. What's more important though is if the offset is symmetrical. Is that side 1/8" higher in the front AND back or is it different? Torsion is way worse than the tank just tilting very slightly in one direction.

Dont the red sea reefers have leveling feet btw? If so then super easy. Regardless, just level the tank, it's not hard and you'll regret it one way or another.

Front back looks to be perfect. The 350 does not have leveling feet. The tank is pushed into a recess. I have no real access to the back side and there is only 5.5” on each side. So that is why I said critical...I don’t want to try it if it isn’t absolutely necessary for mechanical stability.

 

[Billowed]

It's not critical. Remember, we are talking about being CRITICAL here, not just better or important, but critical.

Leveling the stand just isn't that hard unless you already have the tank full of water. I'd say the important thing about being 1/8th of an inch out of level is, how crazy is it going to make you every time you look at the tank and can see the water is higher at one end than it is at the other. If it doesn't bother you, then IMHO, it isn't even close to 'critical'.

Ok, good. It may bug me...but Like I said in a different reply..I don’t have easy access to the back side. So I would be really concerned with not being able to level evenly around the entire stand.

 

[Reefrookie220]

I’d say it’s critical. Silicone can only pull so many ways at once. A tiny separation = big puddles.

 

[Billowed]

I’d say it’s critical. Silicone can only pull so many ways at once. A tiny separation = big puddles.

But if the tank is only tilted 1 way...how is that anymore pressure? I get it if it was off in 2 directions...twist/torsion like someone already mentioned.

If my calculations are correct the slant is 0.152 degrees. That isn’t that bad if you think of it that way. I hope! So, I am coming to the conclusion that it is only cosmetic. It will be a good thing for my OCD.

I reached out to make sure I wasn’t missing something.

 

[BigJohnny]

Front back looks to be perfect. The 350 does not have leveling feet. The tank is pushed into a recess. I have no real access to the back side and there is only 5.5” on each side. So that is why I said critical...I don’t want to try it if it isn’t absolutely necessary for mechanical stability.

Front to back can be perfect and you still can have torsion. What I am asking is: is the higher side (whether that's right or left) equally higher in the front and back? Measure the height of the water in all 4 corners.

5.5" is enough room to shim you just will have to cut em down.

According to specs the reefer 350 is 47" long so an 1/8" discrepancy under 48" is the cutoff I've been taught. You should 100% fix the issue. Sure it may hold but it may not. I wouldnt chance it.

 

[BigJohnny]

Front to back can be perfect and you still can have torsion. What I am asking is: is the higher side (whether that's right or left) equally higher in the front and back? Measure the height of the water in all 4 corners.

5.5" is enough room to shim you just will have to cut em down.

According to specs the reefer 350 is 47" long so an 1/8" discrepancy under 48" is the cutoff I've been taught. You should 100% fix the issue. Sure it may hold but it may not. I wouldnt chance it.

If there is torsion any discrepancy can cause issues, so check that first

 

[Billowed]

Front to back can be perfect and you still can have torsion. What I am asking is: is the higher side (whether that's right or left) equally higher in the front and back? Measure the height of the water in all 4 corners.

5.5" is enough room to shim you just will have to cut em down.

According to specs the reefer 350 is 47" long so an 1/8" discrepancy under 48" is the cutoff I've been taught. You should 100% fix the issue. Sure it may hold but it may not. I wouldnt chance it.

The left side (front and back) have the same depth.

And then separately, the right side (back and front) have a different (1/8” deeper) but equal depth.

So my reasoning is that the tank is a tad slanted (but not twisted), so it will only be cosmetic.

I wish I just went a little slower. I would have just filed down the left sides feet 1/8”. But my leaking old tank is in my bathtub and my wife is growing impatient with the situation!

 

[norfolkgarden]

The left side (front and back) have the same depth.

And then separately, the right side (back and front) have a different (1/8” deeper) but equal depth.

So my reasoning is that the tank is a tad slanted (but not twisted), so it will only be cosmetic.

I wish I just went a little slower. I would have just filed down the left sides feet 1/8”. But my leaking old tank is in my bathtub and my wife is growing impatient with the situation!

Lol, understood!

She will be more unhappy with a second leaking tank.
Tell her the guys said you had to do it and blame it on us!
[emoji4]

 

[BigJohnny]

The left side (front and back) have the same depth.

And then separately, the right side (back and front) have a different (1/8” deeper) but equal depth.

So my reasoning is that the tank is a tad slanted (but not twisted), so it will only be cosmetic.

I wish I just went a little slower. I would have just filed down the left sides feet 1/8”. But my leaking old tank is in my bathtub and my wife is growing impatient with the situation!

It's not only cosmetic at all but its definitely safer than being twisted. I'd still shim it but if not monitor the tank and if it gets more than 1/8 you may have issues. Have you tried filling the tank at least 3/4 up and letting it rest for a few hours (or 24 if it's on carpet), the leveling will likely change. You cant check level on an empty or nearly empty tank.

 

[Billowed]

I just remeasured after filling overnight (~25% full?). And the left/right differenence is 3mm (0.11811”). Front/back difference on each slight is basically 0.

So I am under 1/8” (0.125”)! As you can tell, I am really trying to convince myself it is fine.

 

[reefwiser]

It is critical because you don't' want to stress the tank seams. Nothing worst than having a tank crack in the middle of the night. Been there done that. Wife got new hardwood floors.

 

[Billowed]

It's not only cosmetic at all but its definitely safer than being twisted. I'd still shim it but if not monitor the tank and if it gets more than 1/8 you may have issues. Have you tried filling the tank at least 3/4 up and letting it rest for a few hours (or 24 if it's on carpet), the leveling will likely change. You cant check level on an empty or nearly empty tank.

Sorry, forgot to mention it is on tile. I just replied in another that it is 25% filled. I will make sure nothing changes ince full. If it does I am really going to be in the doghouse if I have to start over.

 

[BigJohnny]

Sorry, forgot to mention it is on tile. I just replied in another that it is 25% filled. I will make sure nothing changes ince full. If it does I am really going to be in the doghouse if I have to start over.

Haha just fill it with a hose, tap. Then siphon it out. Dont actually stock the tank.

It's funny if my prior tank leaked I'd be freaking out over this, did you not level that one too........?

 

[Billowed]

Haha just fill it with a hose, tap. Then siphon it out. Dont actually stock the tank.

It's funny if my prior tank leaked I'd be freaking out over this, did you not level that one too........?

The previous one was a 10-11 year old 24g nano.