Unleveled tank bad?

[Arnoldtatts]

I have a 112 rimless it is 36L x 30W x 24T glass is 1/2 thick I believe, front is starphire glass. I got it used and assumed it was level also assumed the floor was level. It's in a garage so theres a down slope.Well I noticed that the water level in front right corner is significaly higher than the other 3. It's a 1/8th to a 1/4 inch higher. It doesnt bother me or seem to be a issue but a friend that stopped by saw it & said a store owner told him that glass tanks must always be leveled or the crack. Does anyone know about this?

 

[bshow24]

from what I have read about glass tanks and what I know about physics...if there is more pressure on one side of a tank than the other, there is a higher likelihood of the tank cracking.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Was it unlevel when the previous owner had it? If it was, I wouldn't worry.

Is it the tank or the stand that is unlevel? You can always (and should already have) some kind of foam under the tank. Rimless tanks should always be on a foam bed. Framed tanks don't need it but it doesn't hurt to do it anyway. I have a rimmed tank that I took the bottom frame off. The corners were mitered so it wasn't structural. It's been sitting on a foam yoga pad for over 3 years now.

If it's the stand (or the floor) just slowly raise the low corner and shim it. This is all way better if it is done with the tank being empty!!!

 

[ganjero]

That's not too bad but I would find a way to level it, specially a rimless tank. The one side it's getting more stress from being unleveled.

 

[MuldoonJT]

Definatly level it. If you go to home depot. In the lumber section they sell little bundles of wood wedges. Once you get her trued up by sliding them under the stand score each one with a utility knife and snap em off. If its real bad and you needmore than one due to their shape wou can reverse one then wedge with the other.

 

[barjam]

Was it unlevel when the previous owner had it? If it was, I wouldn't worry.

Is it the tank or the stand that is unlevel? You can always (and should already have) some kind of foam under the tank. Rimless tanks should always be on a foam bed. Framed tanks don't need it but it doesn't hurt to do it anyway. I have a rimmed tank that I took the bottom frame off. The corners were mitered so it wasn't structural. It's been sitting on a foam yoga pad for over 3 years now.

If it's the stand (or the floor) just slowly raise the low corner and shim it. This is all way better if it is done with the tank being empty!!!

Most framed tank manufacturers will void the warranty if you use foam. If you use the correct type of foam on a properly built complaner surface it is harmless. It would very little function in this case though.

Foam is required for rimless though (i have no experience with rimless).

When shimming the stand remember complaner is way more important than anything else on a rimmed tank. If the tank rocks empty that is way, way worse than a take that is unlevel. Also on a rimmed tank the four corners are what supports the tank. It is good to not have a gap on the sides but a small gap here and there is acceptable (paper thickness, enough to see some light).

Never, ever shim the tank directly or the plywood underneath. Only shim the stand.

 

[cap032]

If its 1/4th I'd definately shim it. An 1/8th is fine. Get the composite shims at Lowes. They are stronger than wood shims + they snap off. The Lowes in my area doesnt even carry wooden shims any more. The composites are ony 2 dollars or so for a pack of about 10.

 

[twf0369]

As everyone else has mentioned, I'd strongly recommend leveling the tank. Outside of appearance, especially with a rimless, it is not good for the tank. It's not a tough job, just go ahead and get some shims. Hope this helps.

 

[Arnoldtatts]

Yea I'm going to try to go to lowes to get the composite shims instead of wood, are u guys sure they don't sell the composite shims at home depot? Lowes is a little ways from house. Thx everyone for taking time to respond to thread by the way