Discouraged! More potential tank problems!

[jaybfresh]

Or maybe a floor problem... no matter how perfectly I shim a low corner on my stand, it always settles back down to being lower. Now that corner of my tank is visibly sticking out at the seam. On top of that, I had 2 spots of salt creep coming from the bottom rim of my aquarium. I dont know if I'm being paranoid or if the problem I had before with the tank resting on pressure points started some serious issues. I'm usually pretty level headed and trust my judgement, and I really do believe the seam of the tank is seperated more than before it was set up.

I'm considering downsizing to a 30x18x21 tank I have laying around. I'm really torn up about it, but I just cant risk the loss if I had a wall of the tank blow out.

 

[backdraft79]

Damn. Good luck! I hope everything works out.

 

[shroutk3]

I often have salt creep around my bottom rim- Its usually from slopping some water in there, which then evaporates.

Is there any chance you could send miracles a pic of the bulging seam to see what they have to say??

 

[inkmates]

check the floor near the tank with a level to see if the floor is sagging what have you been useing for shims? You could try plastic shims we use them at work sometimes for shimming cabinets they don't compress like wood good luck

 

[superkat]

is it the floor that is sagging? with the 120 in the living room, we are putting new braces up in the basement before we even start.

 

[ggdowski]

I get a little salt creep on my bottom seam as well.
I dont know why. I suspect it is a minute flaw in the seal.

Have you placed a level on the floor to check for sag?

 

[jdoenumber2]

Jack the floor. Is it an unfinished area of the basement?

 

[mr86mister]

Jason I would give Dave at ABC a call. He works construction and can stop by and take a look and recommend some things for you.

 

[dadoftwins]

measure from the ceiling to the tank rim and and watch for changes in the measurement for the next few days..this will tell you if its slowly sinking.(sagging) I have the salt creep problem too but no leaks. this might help ease the mind ...good luck

 

[jfl14609]

I was going to suggest something similar to dad. put a level on top and measure from when the level is straight to the top of the tank and see if its actually dropping. the other thing is if this is a very heavy tank those wooden shims wont work they are way too soft get the composite ones that were previously suggested

 

[backdraft79]

measure from the ceiling to the tank rim and and watch for changes in the measurement for the next few days..this will tell you if its slowly sinking.(sagging) I have the salt creep problem too but no leaks. this might help ease the mind ...good luck

You can also hang a plumb line from the cieling to the corners of the tank.

 

[captain7359]

Jay, what's your stand look like? If that's solid enough it shouldn't rack even though the floor may be settling. Would you have been concerned with 4 of your big buddies standing where the tank is before you put it up, if not then don't worry about the tank. Whats the water level look like in relation to the rim of the tank? that will be your best indicator if anything is happening as you will see that change in gap more than measuring. shut down all your pumps, mark the water level all the way around the tank (or at least the corners) with masking tape, and check every few days to see if there are any changes.

Stock up on beer and get yourself a boogie board just in case so you can ride the wave out the front door.....

 

[jfl14609]

Stock up on beer and get yourself a boogie board just in case so you can ride the wave out the front door.....

LMAO leave it to Walter to bring beer into a post about a disaster haha

 

[Piazzon12]

Are you shimming all the way around, or just that corner? If you are just doing the corner you are creating a huge pressure point pushing down on the one spot, possibly causing the floor sag more.
Regardless of the levelness of the system, as long as the top of the stand is flat, and the stand isnt shifting/racking, and the tank is resting flat on it without gaps, it really shouldn't affect the tank (other than an uneven water level) caused by the system being off.

 

[shawna1972]

Sorry to hear J. I hope you can get it resolved

 

[jaybfresh]

Well the drop in the corner is minor... less than 1/8" (although that might still be too much for a rimless tank). I cant jack the floor up in the location, though.

I was mostly worried that having my tank on the stand improperly for a few days weakened the seems. So far, the salt creep hasnt come back so I'm praying that was just from filled water. I'm still concerned with the seam that I thought was starting to pull apart. I'm going to watch it like a hawk and take pictures against a straightedge everyday to see if it gets worse.

 

[jdoenumber2]

Did you contact the manufacturer about the seam pulling apart? See what they recommend. That way you have some level of recourse if the s hit hits the fan.

 

[superkat]

jay, i really hope this is it for you...i hope it was just from filling. definitely been thinking about ya.

 

[alphaferret]

i don't know bud but all the best wishes go out to you-You're supposed to be riding a wave of happiness w/a new rimless not a wave of water!!

 

[jaybfresh]

Hah... the ebbs and flows of reefkeeping. Whatever happens I'll deal with it. If something is wrong with the tank, its my own fault for not paying attention the first time I set it up.