Levelling a tank

[aquakid]

How important is it for the tank to be perfectly level? What would the problems be if it were off by 1/8 inch?

If it's super important, my problem is we have a tank over tank stand, and one tank is already full of water. To level the remaining tank (about to be filled), wouldn't placing a shim under one edge of tank sstress the glass and cause it to crack?

[Scrup]

1/8 of an inch will probably be just fine. And you are correct, you never want to put a shim right up against the glass. That will probably add more stress than being 1/8" off-level.

[rhonin]

As long as it is close.
Trying to level a tank (what size is yours?) will in most cases create more of an issue.
Then again, you should pick a spot that is level to start with.

If you need to level, I recommend leveling the stand, not the tank.

Good luck!!

:22:

[Wild Turkey]

As level as humanely possible is what I recommend. Some of my tanks may be off by a 16th of an inch though.

The bigger than tank, the more dangerous it is because there will be more weight on the pane of glass that is being leaned against by the water. When the tank is level, the pressure is equal on all 4 sides.

So, in a 5 gal it almost doesnt matter at all but in a 500 its insanely important, especially since obviously more gallons is much more destructive.

[robflanker]

I would agree with Turk.

Do everything you humanly can to get it level.

[Scrup]

is the currently full tank level? If not then you could drain it almost to empty and try and level the stand. Don't level it with a full tank.
However if it is level, then the stand is skewed, or perhaps the bottom plastic piece is not level on the tank. Either way it should be fine.

Is it leaning front/back, or sideways?

[Northernguy]

I would like to see the stand and tanks! lol
As Turk said if its not a large tank it should be fine.
How big are the tanks?
Mine has two 35s on it.

[Lady Hobbs]

The shim should be under the stand, not the tank. You can also set the tank on a piece of corkboard or styrofoam.

[aquakid]

Thanks for the advice. This is just a pair of 33 gallon tanks. I think the floor is what is not level. The bottom tank is full of fish a, the water is lower in the front than the back, by about 1/4 inch. Both tanks have been running like that for over a year, but we are starting a new setup in the upper tank and thought we might try to level it. Unfortunately, I think we might do more harm than good, either by damaging the tank or scratching the floor if we try to level the stand, so I think I'll just leave it as is.

[bushwhacker]

all my tanks are good side to side but a little off front to back never have a problem with em