Set up tank at new house: unlevel

[Navyguy2020]

Good morning everyone set up my existing tank at new house built in 1950, the tank is level left to right and slightly unlevel front to back by about 1/4 inch. I’ve posted pictures, should I drain half and shim it or should this be okay if I’m checking seals daily?

 

[TX_REEF]

I’d shim, better safe than sorry. We know how the universe works - if something is gonna go wrong it’ll probably be when you aren’t looking!

 

[claydogg84]

It's totally fine. The only reason I'd worry about shimming it would be if it bothers you visually having a slightly different level water line front to back.

 

[Fish Fan]

That's not bad at all, from what I can see in the picture. You can shim it if it bothers you.

I'll add that your rock stack looks to me to be like one rock too high. If you're planning any corals, you need to leave them some room to grow upward.

Good luck with your tank!

 

[Navyguy2020]

Thanks for all the advice, I’m thinking I’m worrying too much it’s in a leveling pad also.

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks for all the advice, I’m thinking I’m worrying too much it’s in a leveling pad also.

Good! Make sure where the tank meets the top of the stand that the bottom of the tank is fully supported by the stand. It looks fine in your first pic, but that's what important. Shim the stand from under the bottom of the stand, if you decide it's necessary.

Good luck!

 

[Ryan - Serious Reefs]

I don’t know the answer to this question but has anyone actually proven that a slightly unlevel tank represents a real risk? Not theoretical but a risk that actually exceeds tolerances?

Outside of that it visually annoying so I’d fix it regardless. I find the composite shims work better than the wood ones when there is a lot of weight in the tank.