Leveling a Waterbox Marine X 110.4 (Gen2)

[Kodock]

So I just got my Waterbox 110.4, it’s the Gen2, which comes with a aluminum frame. The frame has no flat top piece, just the bars. Well I’ve spent hours upon hours getting the thing level, tightening and loosening screws. The stand was level before the tank. Now that the tank is on, there are gaps where the supports would ideally rest against the tank.

The whole front section isn’t supported by the frame bar, just towards the corners. I messaged waterbox, awaiting a response, but figured I’d ask to see if there was any input or mods I can try, or if the consensus thinks it’s safe to even put water in the tank. The gap is large enough to slide a mail envelope between the tank and the leveling foam at the bottom of the tank.

Green is where the support is solid, red is where the tank doesn’t touch the frame. I’ve tried adjusting the feet and frame, but with the weight on, it’s limited.

 

[Dom]

I would suggest using a straight edge to confirm none of the pieces making up the aluminum frame are bent.

I would also suggest that you let the weight of the tank rest on the frame for a few days to allow things to seat.

I'm curious to know what Waterbox has to say about this. Please keep us posted.

 

[Kodock]

I would suggest using a straight edge to confirm none of the pieces making up the aluminum frame are bent.

I would also suggest that you let the weight of the tank rest on the frame for a few days to allow things to seat.

I'm curious to know what Waterbox has to say about this. Please keep us posted.

Thanks! So yea, I’m going to pick up a few more tools to see what’s going on. I have 2 levels that I used and the outer bars seemed fine (left and right). The middle bars sat slightly under by design, assuming that they are just for support.

The concern for me is really the back right corner and front. I find it hard to believe a non-eurobraced, rimless tank, can maintain long term support with this type of distribution, but who am I..

I will let you know more details for sure!

 

[Dom]

Thanks! So yea, I’m going to pick up a few more tools to see what’s going on. I have 2 levels that I used and the outer bars seemed fine (left and right). The middle bars sat slightly under by design, assuming that they are just for support.

The concern for me is really the back right corner and front. I find it hard to believe a non-eurobraced, rimless tank, can maintain long term support with this type of distribution, but who am I..

I will let you know more details for sure!

With rimless tanks, I know that every inch of the perimeter of the tank needs to be supported.

The cabinet is black. With some creativity, you could easily fit the stand with a piece of 3/4 plywood and make it look nice.

 

[Kodock]

With rimless tanks, I know that every inch of the perimeter of the tank needs to be supported.

The cabinet is black. With some creativity, you could easily fit the stand with a piece of 3/4 plywood and make it look nice.

That’s what I was thinking. I could level the wood and get another foam mat. The unfortunate thing is that there is foam under the tank up until the 1/2” of glass that sits over the cabinet doors.

I do think that I shouldn’t have to do such a thing, given this thing cost $2,300. The stand is 4ft tall, and the tank weighs 180 pounds, and a super awkward grip. The bottom corners of the tank are pretty exposed. I’d have to pay someone to lift it and everything. Me and my wife can’t do it alone, unfortunately.

 

[Dom]

That’s what I was thinking. I could level the wood and get another foam mat. The unfortunate thing is that there is foam under the tank up until the 1/2” of glass that sits over the cabinet doors.

I do think that I shouldn’t have to do such a thing, given this thing cost $2,300. The stand is 4ft tall, and the tank weighs 180 pounds, and a super awkward grip. The bottom corners of the tank are pretty exposed. I’d have to pay someone to lift it and everything. Me and my wife can’t do it alone, unfortunately.

I totally understand. When you spend $2300 on something, the last thing you want to do is spend more money to fix or improve something. But the bottom line is that it is in your best interest to spend a few extra bucks for the piece of mind.

If it were my system, I would build a solid wood stand from lumber and then wrap the cabinet pieces around it for a finished look.

Dom

 

[DiabloReef]

hello, what was your solution to this problem? I have the same problem

 

[Kodock]

I’m still in the process of resolving. I moved the tank to a more leveled spot. Waterbox was nice enough to send me a replacement fixed top piece, because two of my bars were bent/warped, which I deemed the root cause. I also bought another innovative marine leveling mat to put under it. The one they have on the tank is very compressed. I also found some longer leveling feet online that I’m looking to switch out.

I’m waiting for the LFS guy to come over and help lift the tank and put the new piece on and retry.

 

[Kodock]

Update: Waterbox looked at the top piece and was kind enough to send me a replacement. The new H piece is perfectly level. I put an innovative marine 48”x24” leveling mat on the top of the metal frame to give it a bigger buffer, and trimmed off the excess. It also makes me feel better about not accidentally hitting that aluminum fame onto the glass and chipping or cracking it.

I’m currently looking at options to circumvent the stock leveling feet, but I’m overall very pleased with waterbox assisting.

I would say get another leveling mat to put on and that should help.