leveling of aquarium?

[angelfish]

I have two tanks (130 and 240) sitting on wooden stands on a cement floor in the basement. Both tanks have a 1" difference on one end due to floor sloping for drainage. One tank has been there for 6 years - no problems thus far.

Question: How important is it that a tank be perfectly level? It is definitely a flat surface but slightly sloped.

My husband is resisting the idea of leveling as he is not yet convinced it is necessary to do. Does anyone know for certain that leveling is necessary? 

[tim_s]

You level tanks to reduce uneven stress on a tank as weight is heavier on one side.
This has been known to burst tanks.

[Laura]

Here's a post with some explanation from our very knowledgeable babblefish:
http://ovas.ca/index.php?topic=22772.0

[Montrealguy]

The thread from babelfish is really informative. What worries me is that your tank has been that uneven for that long. The form of the tank would have changed, would it not? One end of the tank has been under great stress for quite some time.
I recently had a seam split high up on a 75 that had been a quarter inch uneven for five years, and was moved to a level surface. It may have been coincidental, or the result of the shape of the tank changing, and the silicone pulling. Are there any people out there with expertise in glass and silicone who can comment?

[Nerine]

I had the same thing happen to me...had an un-level tank and it was put on a level surface and a few days  later...pop! water everywhere!

[angelfish]

I had also been warned previously about leveling  it because it might start to leak after being moved. That would be a huge drag 

Thanks you for all the advise. I appreciate the input.

Janet

[tim_s]

Its a very common problem.

I levelled my tank (so I thought) and I started a thread about filling the tank up to the rim.

And then I noticed when the right side of the tank was touching the top the left had 1/4 - 1/2 cm to go.

But you have quite the difference.