Looking for advice on old tank being unlevel...

[Phyber]

This is a Marineland Corner-Flo 65g sitting on a Marineland Majesty stand. I had it previously set up and running and never really noticed these issues... I'm looking for some peace of mind that the tank and stand are still safe and usable. I did a water leak test prior to bringing it in the house and filling and everything held (and is still holding fine). All silicone seams look great.

I can't seem to figure out why this tank is sitting not only unlevel, but unlevel in different places... For example...

This is my waterline with my return pump not running. You can see that the right hand side sits lower. When I turn on the return pump, the water rises into the black trim area and isn't noticeable.

I placed a 4' bubble level on the top rim of the tank, and while it's within "center" it's not perfect...

Then, I placed the bubble level on the top of the stand's front "trim" area. The reading is close to the same...

Then I placed the level on the floor parallel with the tank. You can see the bubble level not exactly the same as the prior readings...

To further complicate things, it appears that the tank is not level on the stand itself. A measurement from the top of the tank "trim" to the top of the bottom frame shows a difference left side from right...
Left

and Right

Finally, to top it off, I have just noticed small cracks in the bottom frame corners (front right and rear left, pictured below)

I surely wasn't aware of any obstructions on the small areas where the tank rests on the stand when I placed the tank down, and inside the stand when I'm looking with a flashlight there are no anomalies on the bottom of the tank or with the stand. The top of the tank trim also measures slightly different heights left to right from the floor, but I'm not sure if that's attributed to the slant of the floor or my tank.

Maybe I'm overthinking this, but I'm super paranoid about stability issues, and it seems like there's a lot of variables here (tank unlevel, stand trim, frame cracks, different heights, etc.) and I'm getting bad vibes. My LFS unfortunately closed and I have no close options for tank replacement or repurchase. I'm really trying to get this tank back up and running since I already have all the items for it.

Any questions or advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[NewGoby]

the tank doesn't have to be perfectly level, aslong as all 4 corner of the tank touch the cabinet & aslong as all 4 corners of the cabinet are touching the floor, that's most important.

I'd probably make a new cabinet & make new trims around the tank, to replace the old ones.

 

[Phyber]

the tank doesn't have to be perfectly level, aslong as all 4 corner of the tank touch the cabinet & aslong as all 4 corners of the cabinet are touching the floor, that's most important.

I'd probably make a new cabinet & make new trims around the tank, to replace the old ones.

Thanks Goby! Indeed, there is/was no "rocking" to the tank or stand. All corners are sitting flat as can be.

But what about the small cracks?

 

[Peace River]

This is a Marineland Corner-Flo 65g sitting on a Marineland Majesty stand. I had it previously set up and running and never really noticed these issues... I'm looking for some peace of mind that the tank and stand are still safe and usable. I did a water leak test prior to bringing it in the house and filling and everything held (and is still holding fine). All silicone seams look great.

I can't seem to figure out why this tank is sitting not only unlevel, but unlevel in different places... For example...

[...]

Maybe I'm overthinking this, but I'm super paranoid about stability issues, and it seems like there's a lot of variables here (tank unlevel, stand trim, frame cracks, different heights, etc.) and I'm getting bad vibes. My LFS unfortunately closed and I have no close options for tank replacement or repurchase. I'm really trying to get this tank back up and running since I already have all the items for it.

Any questions or advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

This a good question and one that you should be asking from a risk management perspective. The good news is that the floor appears to be close to level (at least on the length of the tank). However, if the floor isn't level then that can be shimmed. Based on the information that you shared, two things jump out at me - the crack in the stand is worrisome and I would suggest that you strongly consider rebuilding or replacing the stand. Secondly, if the tank isn't level then the pressure on the seams and at least one panel of glass are increased and you increase the risk for a tank leak or blowout. Similarly if the tank has twisted slightly but is still in full contact with the based, there is also an increased risk for failure. It may not happen today, next week, or even this year - but the risk is still there. The tank is designed for the majority of the pressure to be downward. Hopefully, a repaired and level stand will fix many of the level issues for the tank. in the mean time, if you set the tank on a level surface you can check to make sure that the tank is true to level and that there are no issues with how the trim was applied. Good luck and be safe!

 

[Phyber]

This a good question and one that you should be asking from a risk management perspective. The good news is that the floor appears to be close to level (at least on the length of the tank). However, if the floor isn't level then that can be shimmed. Based on the information that you shared, two things jump out at me - the crack in the stand is worrisome and I would suggest that you strongly consider rebuilding or replacing the stand. Secondly, if the tank isn't level then the pressure on the seams and at least one panel of glass are increased and you increase the risk for a tank leak or blowout. Similarly if the tank has twisted slightly but is still in full contact with the based, there is also an increased risk for failure. It may not happen today, next week, or even this year - but the risk is still there. The tank is designed for the majority of the pressure to be downward. Hopefully, a repaired and level stand will fix many of the level issues for the tank. in the mean time, if you set the tank on a level surface you can check to make sure that the tank is true to level and that there are no issues with how the trim was applied. Good luck and be safe!

Thanks Peace!

The crack I'm referring to is on the trim of the tank, not the mitres where the stand trim meets.

 

[Cell]

The inconsistent levels combined with the cracked frame would be enough for me to find an alternative. One or the other I could possibly live with, but combined just seems like one of those things where as you are mopping up 65 gallons of saltwater from the floor you think to yourself, "I knew this was gonna happen!".

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

I level my stand first. Any way you can check the stand? Then set the tank on and fill.

 

[Phyber]

The inconsistent levels combined with the cracked frame would be enough for me to find an alternative. One or the other I could possibly live with, but combined just seems like one of those things where as you are mopping up 65 gallons of saltwater from the floor you think to yourself, "I knew this was gonna happen!".

I keep getting conflicting info on the tank trim; some forums say the trim is just for looks, others say it's critical

 

[Phyber]

I level my stand first. Any way you can check the stand? Then set the tank on and fill.

I'm leaning towards draining the tank and double checking everything. I just cant explain why it's all so different

 

[Isaac Obel]

Does the stand have a completely flush top meaning no recess for tank to sit it? One of the picks looks like the tank frame is on top of the trim on one side but below the adjacent trim?

 

[Phyber]

Does the stand have a completely flush top meaning no recess for tank to sit it? One of the picks looks like the tank frame is on top of the trim on one side but below the adjacent trim?

There is a small lip all the way around the tank. Maybe a half inch? Which pic are you referring to?

 

[Isaac Obel]

This one. It looks like it’s resting on the trim on one side which is causing the separation on the mitered corner. This would also put a pressure point on your tank frame causing it to crack. But hard to tell from pic

 

[Phyber]

This one. It looks like it’s resting on the trim on one side which is causing the separation on the mitered corner. This would also put a pressure point on your tank frame causing it to crack. But hard to tell from pic

Ah, no, optical illusion. It's sitting in the lip on that side, just closer to the trim. It's not a perfect fit around the tank and there is some wiggle room

 

[Isaac Obel]

Hmm that trim separation is worrisome because it is separating in the vertical axis. Has it always been that way?

 

[jsker]

This can be a simple fix depending how the stand is constructed. If this stand is solidly built with support in the four corners and horazontal support across the top. I would suggest drain half of the water out in buckets, so that the water can be put back. But first grab some plastic shims and level the cabinet on the two lower corners, the support the gaps with additional shims. The positive you have is that the flours are not carpet and solid.

 

[Phyber]

Hmm that trim separation is worrisome because it is separating in the vertical axis. Has it always been that way?

It was like that for a while. I emailed marineland support and the engineers said no issues. I know a mitred corner would be for looks anyway, no strength in them

 

[Phyber]

This can be a simple fix depending how the stand is constructed. If this stand is solidly built with support in the four corners and horazontal support across the top. I would suggest drain half of the water out in buckets, so that the water can be put back. But first grab some plastic shims and level the cabinet on the two lower corners, the support the gaps with additional shims. The positive you have is that the flours are not carpet and solid.

The stand has one support on each left and right side that supports the tank front to back. No other contact with the tank frame, and the tank bottom frame does have a middle brace.

This is the stand designed and sold with this tank and I have submitted my warranty for both.

 

[Isaac Obel]

If your first indication was your water line with pump off and you just noticed it now, it has probably been unlevel for some time. And now you are finding all the little differences in your setup. On next water change you maybe able to shim cabinet just depends on how it was built. Or take note of all your issues which you have with pics now and monitor it. If it doesn’t change any you are good to go in my opinion.

 

[Phyber]

If your first indication was your water line with pump off and you just noticed it now, it has probably been unlevel for some time. And now you are finding all the little differences in your setup. On next water change you maybe able to shim cabinet just depends on how it was built. Or take note of all your issues which you have with pics now and monitor it. If it doesn’t change any you are good to go in my opinion.

The bottom of the stand is a solid sheet of plywood (no legs), should I still shim?

I'm just paranoid of a sudden crash and massive leak

 

[jtl]

I suspect the trim does give some support to the glass panels. I have always had rimless tanks so I cannot say for sure. The mitered corners may not give support but why are they separating. Did the tank get racked? Stands are notoriously cheaply made and while they can easily support top down weight they are wimpy when is comes to side motion.