Does an aquarium need to be on a level area

[Attilla]

Hello I was wondering if having an aquarium on an unleveled area have any adverse effects on the aquarium itself...?

 

[joeshmoe]

It depends on how drastic it is, but slight differences in the level is not a big deal. Mine is not perfectly level either by about 1/4 in to 1/2 in front to back. Really, unless is so bad you fell its going to tip over....I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[severum mama]

Yes!!!! 1/2 inch is a huge difference and will put massive stress on the seals on the lower side. I hope the difference is closer to 1/4 inch. Attilla- you should get the tank as level as possible.

 

[Marinemom]

It depends on the tank and the placement of the tank but the recommendation is to have the tank as level as possible. Over time if the tank remains uneven and not level the force of the water can put undue stress on the seams of the aquarium and eventually cause the seals to break and cause leaking. In fact I just had this happen to me with a ten gallon tank I have had in my bedroom for years only to wake up one Sunday morning to find the tank leaking all over the floor. Fortunately I had planned to replace this aquarium with a 16 gallon that I had ready and waiting to be set up in it's place. So down came the ten gallon and up went the 16 gallon. Really though, my biggest worry would be the risk of an eventual leak, usually at the most inoppurtune moment.

Marinemom

 

[Nolapete]

The seals are the most flexible part of the tank. The main problem with an unlevel surface is that it causes stress on the glass and enough can cause the tank to implode/explode.

 

[Rbishop]

Unlevelness will break your seals before the glass breaks.

 

[severum mama]

Unlevelness will break your seals before the glass breaks.

Definitely. I've seen this happen on several occasions.. thankfully, not with any of my own tanks!!!

 

[Star_Rider]

it should be close to level as possible.
if the tank is on a stand you can use shims to level the stand.
if the tank is on a hard surface like a counter top..you are better off either leaving it alone(do not shim the tank unless it's on a flat surface where the whole surface can be shimmed)
a 1/4 bubble off probably won't hurt anything tho.

 

[Nolapete]

Unlevelness will break your seals before the glass breaks.

You evidently haven't seen someone's tank burst from being on unlevel ground. I've seen the aftermath of at least 3 and the seals were intact.

 

[Rbishop]

Well, actually I have. Several of them. Tanks where the glass broke was to thin for the tank volume and/or cheap glass. The vast majority, the glass was intact and the seals parted and leaked.