leveling question

[Pharaoh]

You got it

 

[harkolida]

ok, I have a question, and yes, I've read to death everyone's posts on this issue.
I have a 60 gal tank on a stand that both came together...the stand was built specifically for the tank by the manufacturer.
I moved the tank yesterday and noticed today that it is leaning 1/4 inch forward. Is this a serious problem that needs to be fixed immediately and if so any suggestions on how to properly fix it would be greatly appreciated.
thank you in advance.

 

[Pharaoh]

If the whole tank is leaning forward 1/4" it should be fine. What is crucial is having the individual corners out of square. This can put a twisting force on the tank. But from what you have said, it sounds like it will be OK.

 

[screaminleeman]

I have no problem with anyone questioning my posts… and I’ll be happy to explain why I think what I think…



While on one hand this is true, on the other the height of a tank dictates it’s weight per square inch… and a tank which is only supported by it’s edges has much less surface area in contact with the stand to distribute this weight…

On a tank that is only 1’ front to back the glass ‘spans’ a shorter distance than larger tanks… but on the contrary it uses thinner glass…



To simplify it… Styrofoam dents… and if there is additional pressure in one place, such as a raised corner, this will cause additional pressure on that place causing the raised point to dent into the Styrofoam more so than in adjacent areas…



The tank I made an example out of did not leak at the seal… the front pane of glass cracked from the bottom left corner across to the middle of the right side… It sounded like a bomb going off when it did…

After inspecting the stand, I found it to be “twisted”… putting the styro/ply/styro sandwich between the tank and the twisted stand fixed the problem (and was not simply a patch to delay inevitable results)…



I would also like to add when we get into specifics on this topic we should clarify that it is very important to ensure the tank is “flat” on the stand, but the stand/tank being “level” is not a critical point. A twist in the stand or a raised corner or a bowed stand can cause “indifferntial pressure” on the tank which will stress the glass and/or seams which can result in either a blow out (broken glass) or a leak in the seal…

But if the tank is sitting flat on a stand that is flat… but for whatever reason the tank is not “level” (perfectly parallel to the earth)… the pressure will be evenly distributed to the stand…

I just had a 90 high back pane of glass go. Mine sounded more like a gun shot.

I had it sitting on a completly flat 1/2" solid oak 36" x 21" board. Board is flat as a pancake, water level in the tank was even distance from the top rim around the eitire tank "level". Brand new tank only a month old and KABOOM!

 

[harkolida]

its the whole thing, stand and all, its sitting on a hardwood floor, I drained half the water out of it a little while ago cause for some reason I'm terrified the whole thing is just going to topple over forward.

 

[dawnmarie]

I just had a 90 high back pane of glass go. Mine sounded more like a gun shot.

I had it sitting on a completly flat 1/2" solid oak 36" x 21" board. Board is flat as a pancake, water level in the tank was even distance from the top rim around the eitire tank "level". Brand new tank only a month old and KABOOM!

I have been following your other thread on this and by your own definition you waited " up to an hour" before investigating. If a "gunshot goes off in my house I wouldn't wait long to arm myself and investigate. WTF ?

 

[Pharaoh]

its the whole thing, stand and all, its sitting on a hardwood floor, I drained half the water out of it a little while ago cause for some reason I'm terrified the whole thing is just going to topple over forward.

I had a 30G that leaned forward a lot more than 1/4". You should be fine, but if it really bothers you. Go to the hardware store and pick up a $2 pack of shims and shim up the front of the stand.

 

[harkolida]

I guess I just figured since its top heavy...the tank is sitting on the stand and the whole thing is 1/4 inch out, eventually the lean would just cause the tank to fall forward.

 

[Pharaoh]

I guess there is always the possibility of it falling forward. I good shake or bump could help it along. Probably not something I would worry about, but the only way to be 100% is to level it with wood shims.

 

[harkolida]

ok so another question, the way the stand is designed, its open in the front with 2 doors and a shelf, the back of the stand is all on the floor but at the front just the 2 sides are sitting on the floor with an opening below the shelf, is the shims under just the corners going to be sufficient or should I put something under the shelf as well?