How level is level?

crvz · 11/02/2006, 01:44 PM

Ok, so I am designing a new tank, and i have all the confiednce in the world that my stand building talents and tools are good enough to pull of a level stand. BUT, when i get it in place, i am not wholly convinced that the floor will be entirely level. The tank will be 60-66" long by 24" wide (and 24" tall), and i have a feeling that the floor slopes ever-so-slightly forwards. Maybe a degree, maybe less. I currently have a 60 gallon tank in that place right now, and i've never noticed an issue with it. Over the 24 inches, it's probably less than 1/4" downward slope (towards the front of the tank). The floor is tile, and its flat, just not level. Will this much of a shift in the center of gravity of the assembly (the tank will be on a 42" high stand) be of any consequence?

I'm going to go do some math, but i'd love to hear about other's experience with un-even flooring. I'm sure that my house is not the only cookie-cutter home in america where the quality of workmanship may leave just a bit to be desired. Thanks!

Fat Man · 11/02/2006, 01:48 PM

You can always shim the stand to level it. I've never seen a floor that was perfectly level.

timschmidt · 11/02/2006, 02:14 PM

Shim the stand!! Otherwise the stress will eventually blow out your tank. Not worth all your fishies and corals. Home stores sell em or you can use any scraps you have around your house.

crvz · 11/02/2006, 05:50 PM

Well, I'm not convinced that the stress will, over time, be that big of a deal. The tank is in a molding (think oceanic), so any localized increase in stress would spread out through the molding. And i don't think thats necessarily the problem, having localized stresses. More so, i am wondering what happens if you put the tank on tilt of a 1/4 degree angle. I dont want to build the stand to account for the floor, as it may be used elsewhere, but i may build an insert to slip under the stand. Any more thoughts?

Buckeye ME · 11/02/2006, 06:57 PM

I don't know why you would risk not putting shims under there. So simple with such a disasterous possible outcome if you don't.

11/02/2006, 01:44 PM	#1
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	How level is level? Ok, so I am designing a new tank, and i have all the confiednce in the world that my stand building talents and tools are good enough to pull of a level stand. BUT, when i get it in place, i am not wholly convinced that the floor will be entirely level. The tank will be 60-66" long by 24" wide (and 24" tall), and i have a feeling that the floor slopes ever-so-slightly forwards. Maybe a degree, maybe less. I currently have a 60 gallon tank in that place right now, and i've never noticed an issue with it. Over the 24 inches, it's probably less than 1/4" downward slope (towards the front of the tank). The floor is tile, and its flat, just not level. Will this much of a shift in the center of gravity of the assembly (the tank will be on a 42" high stand) be of any consequence? I'm going to go do some math, but i'd love to hear about other's experience with un-even flooring. I'm sure that my house is not the only cookie-cutter home in america where the quality of workmanship may leave just a bit to be desired. Thanks! __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

11/02/2006, 01:48 PM	#2
Fat Man Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Way out yonder where the west commences Posts: 561	You can always shim the stand to level it. I've never seen a floor that was perfectly level. __________________ peace Stay ignorant. Kafudafish PhD 2012 Every time you squirt some of that delicious sauce on your food, just remember, that's pure California baby. Mikey da Banker 2013 Current Tank Info: Dusty

11/02/2006, 02:14 PM	#3
timschmidt Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago area, IL Posts: 809	Shim the stand!! Otherwise the stress will eventually blow out your tank. Not worth all your fishies and corals. Home stores sell em or you can use any scraps you have around your house. __________________ Tim Current Tank Info: Nanocube 12DX / Nanocube 28G HQI

11/02/2006, 05:50 PM	#4
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Well, I'm not convinced that the stress will, over time, be that big of a deal. The tank is in a molding (think oceanic), so any localized increase in stress would spread out through the molding. And i don't think thats necessarily the problem, having localized stresses. More so, i am wondering what happens if you put the tank on tilt of a 1/4 degree angle. I dont want to build the stand to account for the floor, as it may be used elsewhere, but i may build an insert to slip under the stand. Any more thoughts? __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

11/02/2006, 06:57 PM	#5
Buckeye ME Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 824	I don't know why you would risk not putting shims under there. So simple with such a disasterous possible outcome if you don't.