Minor tank lean, am I being paranoid?

[David M.]

Hey folks, I've just set up a Waterbox Marine X 110 and am in the process of filling it up. I've been overly paranoid because of the wood floors it sits on, so I've been checking with a level and taking measurements as it fills. I've attached some pictures of how it sits now, I unfortunately did not take measurements when it was empty.

My main concern is the .25-.5in difference in the stand -> wall vs tank -> wall. Am I being paranoid? I've stopped the fill for the time being.

 

[blaxsun]

It's not level - I'd drain a bunch of water and either adjust the feet or shim it level before you start filling it again.

 

[piranhaman00]

No , that’s very unlevel as far as aquariums are concerned, especially rimless, it needs to be perfectly level.

 

[elysics]

Correcting this now is not nearly a big deal as it would be later. Just do it, even if it's just for the sake of being able to sleep easy.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Measuring to the wall isn't a great reference because walls are not usually straight or plumb.

You aren't being paranoid. That tank does need fully leveled. Shimming the stand with composite shims is your best option. I also find it helpful to have two levels going at once while making adjustments

 

[David M.]

These are all wonderful responses, thank you all so much. Glad I checked! Luckily the Waterbox stands come with leveling feet so I'll begin the drain now and adjust until its perfectly level.

 

[Little c big D]

FWIW my lfs has a 250xl RSR thats got 4 times that lean and has been like that for years. It also looks horrible. When they open the cabinet it hits the floor at full.

That said, For sure fix that. You spent too much money to risk your home or tank for such a simple fix.

 

[Quietman]

It's going to matter a lot what it was empty. A quarter inch side to side that's steady and doesn't change is much different than perfectly level to start and then having floor sag. I would personally be ok if it was 1/4 off level but no more and that assumes good contact with bottom of tank and if it seems stable.

If the floor is sagging then might have to relocate if stable and just not level...shims.

Also is the stand making contact all along the bottom of the tank. If the level is off enough to allow any ANY gap between bottom pane and stand it needs to be addressed.

 

[David M.]

It's going to matter a lot what it was empty. A quarter inch side to side that's steady and doesn't change is much different than perfectly level to start and then having floor sag. I would personally be ok if it was 1/4 off level but no more and that assumes good contact with bottom of tank and if it seems stable.

If the floor is sagging then might have to relocate if stable and just not level...shims.

Also is the stand making contact all along the bottom of the tank. If the level is off enough to allow any ANY gap between bottom pane and stand it needs to be addressed.

Great points, I'll definitely take some more measurements once its empty again. Wish I would have done that to begin with. I've had a few Waterbox and Reefer tanks that come with a padding on the bottom of the tank and in every case there have been slight gaps near the edges on the flat bottom pane where the vertical glass attaches, this one is no different. I'll take some pictures and attach them in the next post.

 

[David M.]

Hard to see, but there is a tiny gap in the padding. Looking closer I believe this is due to the vertical glass panels not needing direct contact. The flat bottom panel is making direct contact.

 

[David M.]

With an empty tank, ~450 pounds lighter and the same reading on the level. If nothing else this was some peace of mind knowing my floor wasn't sagging.

 

[Quietman]

You can't overrate piece of mind. Adjust the feet and/or shim it level and start filling.

Good Luck!

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

no bueno... get between the lines, perfectly IMO, so say just between the lines.