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new tank stand not level. help

2K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  RSVBiffer 
#1 ·
not sure where to post this but...

I'm putting a 20gallon tank together on a sturdy night stand. I picked up a piece of hardwood from homedepot because the stand was about a 1/4 inch short combined on both sides(length wise). but now the wood on top of the stand has a bit of a warp in it. the back left and front right are slightly off, my dad put some foam-tape material on the opposite ends that were off and it's better now but I just want to know if this will be okay.
 
#2 ·
The hard wood your talking about do you mean something like a sheet of plywood? That should be able to sit right on top of the night stand no problem.

The tank will be close to 200 pounds when it's full so it should flatten out any warp in that would pretty quick. If the back corner does lift a little it shouldn't cause a issue as long as the tank is fully touching the wood. I would remove the foam from under the wood while it shouldn't cause a issue it could cause the tank to no stay level.
 
#3 ·
Any stand that is used to support an aquarium has to be strong enough to bear the weight and be level. The strength of the stand is governed by the material used and how the joints are constructed. The joints must put the weight of the tank down through the supporting legs rather than across the structure, ie the top should sit on top of the legs rather than butting onto them from the side.

The stresses on the glass in a full aquarium are extensive and if the aquarium is placed on a non level surface those forces are multiplied many times. As you will be aware glass is strong but also brittle and by placing it on an uneven surface you are greatly increasing the risk of the glass cracking due to the increased stress. It is quite possible that you may get away with an uneven surface (the stresses increase the greater the amount it is out by) but I really wouldn't take the risk, it may not happen straight away it could take days, weeks, months or even years before it gives way but I don't think it is a risk worth taking. Remember glass has very little flex and if the tank is not fully supported so that the base is forced to flex you can almost guarantee at some point you are going to have a very soggy floor. I would give yourself a fighting chance and get a 'level' piece of wood .... Also make sure that nightstand is up to the job of bearing the weight and doesn't 'dip' on any corners.
 
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