My tank is not level - break it down and level it?
- Thread starter chrisngo
- Start date
chrisngo;3449269; said:
I would look to get it level. Make sure in leveling this you DO NOT shim the tank, shim the stand. Especially with an acrylic tank, having the tank bow is even worse then being unlevel. I would recommend buying/borrowing a 4' and 2' levels, these not only will help you level the tan but will also aid in identifying any low or high spots that may "bow" or tank.
I would also recommend against moving the tank in any way with any amount of water in it.
Before you torment yourself with all of that work, why not do the math and find out how much force is really at play here. It has already been this way for 8 months so what is the rush anyway...
Water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon and there are 7.5 gallons per cubic foot. There are 1728 cubic inches in a cubic foot (you will be dividing by 1728). At most you have one inch of water on one side that isn't on the other. Calculate the pounds per square inch (psi) that the one inch is exerting.
Water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon and there are 7.5 gallons per cubic foot. There are 1728 cubic inches in a cubic foot (you will be dividing by 1728). At most you have one inch of water on one side that isn't on the other. Calculate the pounds per square inch (psi) that the one inch is exerting.
If the floow is flat, but on an incline... and the stand sits flat on the floor... and the tank sits flat on the stand...
There will be absolutely no increase in stress on the glass or seams...
But if you shim the tank wrong, you could put a bow in the stand that causes stress on the glass & seams...
It doesn't matter in the least if the tank is "level"
It is very important that the tank sits flat on it's base (and it's base sits flat on the ground)...
The difference between "flat" and "level" may seem minor to some, but are considerably different to those who thoroughly understand the difference...
If you choose to shim it for cosmetic reasons (as this will be the only benefit), be sure to shim the full length of the stand, not just the far end. Shiming just the far end can allow the stand to bow, which will stress the glass & seams...
If you choose to shim the tank, be sure to shim it consistently and evenly...
If you do not clearly understand the difference between flat and level... I suggest you get a clarification before shimming or not shimming to help yourself make the best decision...
This is a commonly misunderstood situation... and I read many suggestions based on misunderstandings that I feel could put the reader at risk if they follow such suggestions...
There will be absolutely no increase in stress on the glass or seams...
But if you shim the tank wrong, you could put a bow in the stand that causes stress on the glass & seams...
It doesn't matter in the least if the tank is "level"
It is very important that the tank sits flat on it's base (and it's base sits flat on the ground)...
The difference between "flat" and "level" may seem minor to some, but are considerably different to those who thoroughly understand the difference...
If you choose to shim it for cosmetic reasons (as this will be the only benefit), be sure to shim the full length of the stand, not just the far end. Shiming just the far end can allow the stand to bow, which will stress the glass & seams...
If you choose to shim the tank, be sure to shim it consistently and evenly...
If you do not clearly understand the difference between flat and level... I suggest you get a clarification before shimming or not shimming to help yourself make the best decision...
This is a commonly misunderstood situation... and I read many suggestions based on misunderstandings that I feel could put the reader at risk if they follow such suggestions...
lol, I wrote that one for a previous thread with the same general question... which is why the word level is yellow... ya gotta love the search function...
The stand is sitting flat on the floor and the tank is sitting flat on the stand. This doesn't negate from the fact that there is additional force exerted on one side vs the other. However, the tank is acrylic and the long term effect is probably nil (now that I think about it). Considering the fact that acrylic adhesive melts and bonds acrylic together it may not be that much of an issue.
grrrr... decisions decisions.
Thanks for all your responses.
Chris
grrrr... decisions decisions.
Thanks for all your responses.
Chris
correct. the tank is tilted but so is the world underneath it, so it is planar to the earth/floor, which means there is no difference in stress/pressure on the seams/glass.
