How to make sure an aquarium is level?.

[Eupterus]

I just moved a 55 gal tank onto a metal stand in my newish rental place.
I'm not sure it's level, any good way to test it?...I'm not sure if I'm just tipping the setup from side to side or if the setup is not level.
I know this is critical because if it's not level, there could be a leak later on.

It could be the stand which was picked up as a freebie on craiglist and kept in storage at my parents or it could be the floor which has been found to be uneven in the living room when I setup a 30 gal there.

If there's a slight slant in the floor or stand, would putting foam under the tank fix it?.

I also have another metal stand I could use that I found at the thrift store, but I like this better as the other one has these poorly designed sharp corners that could "dig" into the floor.

 

[Addikted2Cichlids]

I would use a level to check it.. foam would help.. How off balanced is it exactly?

 

[Eupterus]

It might be just fine or there might be a slight imbalance.
Knowing the living room floor did end up being un even makes me more worried as I had to move that tank around a bit to get it level.
I also get more concerned the larger the tank is.

 

[bigbadfish711]

Use a level

I have used cardboard and wood shims to level tanks.

 

[erk419]

When leveling a tank make sure you are leveling the stand were it sits on the floor not the tank itself. I would suggest wood shims not cardboard cardboard will get smashed down and can easily get wet. When I leveled mine I used a level and the water line. Mine still isn't perfectly level its about a 1/16 to and 1/8 inch off. I gurantee most of us here don't have perfectly level tanks just get it as close as you can and as long as it ain't real off you should be fine.

Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[Pandamania]

I know it's primitive but if you have marbles, the kids glass kind, they work well too. (of coarse a Level is better, I'm just giving a suggestion, in case you don't have one.) Good Luck!

 

[dannieman]

i used foam when i first had my 60 gal but eventually had to replace the foam with wood cause it got too compact

 

[smitty03281964]

The best way is to use a level. if the tank is empty you can put a cup of water in it and see which way it runs but that is a process and not very accurate.

 

[Eupterus]

I had one of these levels before and it's probably somewhere at my parents house. I think I can find one to borrow.

 

[pi-eyed]

A level is the best way. I have never used a level though. The best level test is to fill the tank half way and inspect the water line.. This method will never lie to you.

----Chris