Light under the tank?

[Sailfinfan]

I just set up my new 38 Gallon aquarium on my dresser. I don't have any substrate in yet so light goes through the bottom. I looked at my tank from a distance and noticed that under the black trim on the bottom, you can see light from inside the tank under the trim. Most of the light is in the middle, so it makes me think that either the tank is bowed on the bottom or my dresser is collapsing slowly. The dresser is mahogany and I assumed it was strong enough for a 38 because I sat on the dresser while my 10 gallon was on there, there also used to be a mini refrigerator on the dresser with my 10 gallon. Should I be worried?

[rich311k]

Is the tank level? Front to back and side to side? My tanks all have a slight bow in the center of the long sides. I think they are built that way.

[Sailfinfan]

As far as I know, it's level. I have never had a tank above 10 gallons before so I didn't know that they had a bow in them. I could probably stick a credit card between the tank and the dresser at the middle.

[little hawaii]

I just set up my new 38 Gallon aquarium on my dresser. I don't have any substrate in yet so light goes through the bottom. I looked at my tank from a distance and noticed that under the black trim on the bottom, you can see light from inside the tank under the trim. Most of the light is in the middle, so it makes me think that either the tank is bowed on the bottom or my dresser is collapsing slowly. The dresser is mahogany and I assumed it was strong enough for a 38 because I sat on the dresser while my 10 gallon was on there, there also used to be a mini refrigerator on the dresser with my 10 gallon. Should I be worried?


I don't think there is a problem. The mloding on the tank may be slightly warped up in the middle.
:11: HNY :11:

[rich311k]

As far as I know, it's level. I have never had a tank above 10 gallons before so I didn't know that they had a bow in them. I could probably stick a credit card between the tank and the dresser at the middle.

All my larger tanks are that way. I guess the corners support the whole tank.

[souly]

well a 10 gallon full is about 120 pounds.....a 38 gallon full would weigh almost 400 pounds......+

[gadget228]

You can try placing a marble on your dresser in the area of the bow and see if it wants to roll back and forth in that area, if it does then your dresser is bowed.

[Northernguy]

How about a level!
Can you check your dresser with a straight edge of some sort?
The glass is straight.The area its sitting on should be perfect flat and straight too!All the outside edges of the tank should be equally supported.

[Sailfinfan]

I checked with a long flat box I have and in the middle there is a bow of about a 1/10th of an inch maybe a little more more. I will have to find my level, but it appears perfectly level to me. The tank sits on these thin rectangular covers which protect the surface of the dresser. The covers are made of pressed paper or thin wood, I'm not sure, but theyre 16x11 inches. I dont know if that matters. The tank is filled with water, but there is no substrate or rock in yet, which would probably add another 40 or so lbs. Should I be worried? I might try to brace the middle with a 2x4 if I need to.

[gadget228]

I have never done it but I have read that on some larger tanks ( 55 Gallon and up ) that its a good idea to put a piece of 1/2" styrofoam under the tank to support the tank when the stand might have some slight irregularities in the top.

If this works for larger tanks then 1/4" styrofoam seems like it would work on tanks from 10-30 gallon maybe.

Its an idea that you may want to check into before getting a 2x4 out.

[Lady Hobbs]

You need to lay a piece of styrofoam under the tank to even that up. I have the same problem when putting a tank on my dresser. I painted a piece of styrofoam black and you can't even see it.

[rhonin]

For any tank I have on a dresser/desk/bureau/etc... I put a board or some type of support/protector under the tank.

Here is an example of a 30g acrylic I have on my desk - it has a bamboo board under it.

18211

It helps level it and serves as a protector.

:22:

[souly]

Weight of 1 US Gallon of water = approx. 8.35 lb

So a 38 with just water, no substrate or plants etc would wight around 317.3 Adding substrate later would make you get maybe 321ish. So just watch about dressor. I've never put anything more than a 10g on one.

[Sailfinfan]

I have boards under it, so idk why they arent helping. I will look around for some styrofoam or some kind of mat I could put it on.