Is this bad?

[charbel1011]

I got a new marine x110.4. I tried to level the tank for literally 5 hours. And this is the best i can get it to level. Its only 80g. And 20g sump. Is there any structural concern with it? Beside the water level? The center is good. Just front to back on both sides is not 100% i used composite shims and everything.

 

[Jbissell1289]

From what I’ve read, you want it pretty much perfectly level, I know that’s probably not what you want to hear. I could be wrong and I’m curious to see what others have to say.

Essentially, the issue is, which ever way it is leaning, the seams of that side will be put under more pressure and will shorten the life of the seams. At least that is my understanding of it.

 

[charbel1011]

From what I’ve read, you want it pretty much perfectly level, I know that’s probably not what you want to hear. I could be wrong and I’m curious to see what others have to say.

Essentially, the issue is, which ever way it is leaning, the seams of that side will be put under more pressure and will shorten the life of the seams. At least that is my understanding of it.

True. Ill see what i can do

 

[dz6t]

Do you have a self leveling mat under the tank on top of the stand?

 

[charbel1011]

Do you have a self leveling mat under the tank on top of the stand?

Yes i do. I didnt fill the tank with water so it didnt compress yet, why

 

[dz6t]

Fill the tank 1/4 with freshwater and see how it levels itself

 

[charbel1011]

Fill the tank 1/4 with freshwater and see how it levels itself

Is that enough water or more?

 

[dz6t]

Yes that is enough water, how is the level?

 

[charbel1011]

Yes that is enough water, how is the level?

I actually filled a bit more. And checked the level still the same lol

Doesnt it take few days to compress the matt? Thats what waterbox said at least

 

[dz6t]

Yes it can take a while depending on how heavy the tank with water in it. It normally won’t have leveling effect if the tank is empty. Let it sit and check back in the evening.
The level that you beginning with is not that bad, I would fill the whole tank with freshwater.

 

[charbel1011]

Yes it can take a while depending on how heavy the tank with water in it. It normally won’t have leveling effect if the tank is empty. Let it sit and check back in the evening.
The level that you beginning with is not that bad, I would fill the whole tank with freshwater.

And if the level stays like that? Is it bad?

 

[dz6t]

Not really, if it stays like that, it is the best you can get. Tanks are not built perfectly, the glass panels are not perfectly cut, when you put the level on glass edges, the imperfections from the glass affected the reading.

 

[this is me]

Nope. I would not accept that.
Spend some more time leveling it out.
A little pain now or a lot of pain later.

 

[this is me]

C’mon man! How is this acceptable? The bubble is not even inside the lines.
How long is your leveler? It has to span at least 80% of the length of the tank. You spent 5 hours? Go to sleep and try it again the next day.

 

[charbel1011]

Nope. I would not accept that.
Spend some more time leveling it out.
A little pain now or a lot of pain later.

What pain later?

 

[this is me]

reread post #2.

 

[this is me]

I’m not trying to pick on you but why bother have a leveler if you think this is acceptable?
I don’t get it.

 

[TPhan]

Nope. I would not accept that.
Spend some more time leveling it out.
A little pain now or a lot of pain later.

For sure!

 

[TPhan]

Are u only using the top of the vertical panels to level? I use the bottom panel its more accurate.

 

[Chrisnnemo]

It’s a level not a “leveler”. Putting water in anything is going to show you the level because thats what water does, so in actuality you don’t need a LEVEL for something that is a vessel for water. There are many brands of levels that read different by their “bubble” (there are many different brands with STABILIA being the most accurate, most expensive and most consistent made by ze Germans) so you can’t go by that and putting water in your tank is more accurate than any level you can buy. My point being the picture you took of your level and the bubble inbetween the lines isn’t as accurate as the measurement on let’s say a 4’ tank left to right measuring down from the top of the tank to the level of the water. All different brands of levels read different, some levels I use say it’s level and I put a different level on top of that level and itll read it isn’t so your best bet is measuring down from the top of the tank to the water level on the left and right sides or front to back. If it’s off a 1/2” over 4’ you automatically know it’s off 1/4” over 2’. That’s the beauty of water… it can’t lie. Now how much much weight that is and how it’s going to effect the integrity of your tank is a different story. 8lbs a gl adds up quick, at the same time a well made tank can probably hold double what it’s “rated” for or at least should be. I’ve had a a 55 gl petco tank (4’ long) out of level left to right by at least 1/2” for almost 10 years now and I’ve never had a problem with it. Knock on wood. Now if it was a 125gl six footer being 3/4” off left to right I’d be a bit more worried lol, especially with wave makers in that sh**. I’d be making the floor level for the footprint of the 125gl stand, then putting the tank and stand on that. The cost of lumber to make that small section of floor level would easily outweigh the loss of a failure from losing the tank a few years down the road.