Upon Closer Inspection Of The Tank

[coyemuse]

Hi, so Ive had my 38 gallon tank for about 3 weeks, Its been in the same spot for the entire time. But Ive recently noticed the water is uneven. as if the tank wasnt on a flat surface, but it is. I also have found a little of the adhesive keeping the tank together hanging off the corner of the tank. the glass panels arent flat with eachother anymore.... whats going on? Is there a way to fix this? Its not leaking water yet, but it makes me nervous

 

[Prime Ordeal]

How did you check that the tank was on a flat surface?

 

[coyemuse]

How did you check that the tank was on a flat surface?

I have a level device that I use. The surface is a TV entertainment center that can support up to 800 pounds

 

[riffraff]

hello there

is there anything between the tank and the flat surface? i`m pretty sure there needs to be a mat or something there on certain tanks rather than the glass to wood, but, i cant remeber excactly why, someone will pop along shortly and tell you though, their helpful like that around here

riffraff

 

[coyemuse]

with the glass being uneven at the corners, should i worry about it leaking?

 

[boabmac63]

with the glass being uneven at the corners, should i worry about it leaking?

U pit a mat ther incase the glass or wood has even the slightest little bump on it because if u dont the water gould pressere down to the bump and break the glass

 

[DrRob]

with the glass being uneven at the corners, should i worry about it leaking?

If the tank is truly going out of line, then yes, sadly you need to worry.

Pictures would probably help us to get an idea. They speak a thousand words.

Question about the stand, what's the support like and does it have a central pillar? Aquarium cabinets and stands are designed to carry a weight evenly and to have a flat surface that doesn't give. TV stands are designed to be able to carry a weight without collapsing, but not without moving, which would potentially put the tank on a skew, putting a lot of pressure on the joints.

edit: one thing I'm not clear on is, when you say that the edges don't line up, could they have always been like that?

 

[Prime Ordeal]

So if you put your level device on the top of the front pane of glass is it level?

 

[coyemuse]

I can get cell phone pics, would that work?

 

[coyemuse]

These are the ones I could get

 

[Mowbz]

Sadly yes, i would worry. Looks as if the seams are starting to let go.

You have a few choices, pretty obvious;

Leave it and hope
Empty, split into its individual panes, and reseal (which would likely be as expensive as
Buy a new/second hand tank

As mentioned above, the pressure of the water is hat causes this. If there is something under the tank, or its being able to "skew", its putting excess pressure on the seams, and they'll start to give. Eventually, the vibration of you walking past, things being placed on the side, etc, puts further pressure on them (as its amplified by the water pressure), and it'll let go.

Better to be safe than sorry. I would empty the tanks contents into a similar or larger size plastic storage container, filter, heater and all, and let them live in there while you find a replacement.

Ben

 

[DrRob]

Aye, I'm with Ben. I can't be certain from those pictures but it certainly doesn't look like something I'd want sitting in my living room.

Garden water butts make good temporary tanks.

 

[coyemuse]

I have 4 fish in the tank, 3 adult swords and a fry, would it be okay to put them in my 3 gallon fish bowl? Payday is Thursday (they'll be getting a new tank then... I can put the water in plastic containers, but I have only smaller ( 15 gallon ish) containers so it cant all go in one....

 

[Mowbz]

Probably the first and last time i will ever advocate this, but yes, for the time being, providing you monitor the water, they'll get by on 2 days in a bowl if you're able to get them a new tank.

Anything is better than potentially coming home and finding them on your floor!

EDIT: Just noticed, your storing the water. Dont bother, its the filter you need to keep alive, not the water, thats where your beneficial bacteria is. I imagine your not going to be able to filter this "bowl" so daily water changes are a must. Its possible you may even lose the fry.

I you cant run the filter in the bowl, run it in the 15gallon container and add some fish food to it each day to keep the bacteria ticking over. Itll produce a small amount of ammonia for the bacteria to "eat". If its easier to use the same water to get the new tank running, do so, it will help with acclimatising the fish back.

 

[coyemuse]

Ill be home consistently for the next 36 hours before my weekend is over. So Should i wait til then, or do it now?