Should this worry me? Gap in stand piece.

1062 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Leeatl, Sep 25, 2016

Marconis

Discussion Starter · Sep 21, 2016

My stand is from Aquatic Fundamentals, and the side panels are locked in using cam locks. All are in tightly, but one piece has a tiny gap as shown in the photos, on the bottom and top -- the other panels are in flat (one in rear, two side panels, and the two front panels total). From the looks of it, the panel was cut uneven. The gap tapers off and becomes flat towards the edges, about 50% of the way through. I don't know how much this piece aids in structural support. I only truly noticed this when I was inspecting the stand for any cracks or deformities once it had been filled (I get paranoid about all my stands). To clarify, I'm referring to the gap between front left panel and top and bottom panels, where the paper is slid in.

The tank was setup level front to back, and a hair under 1/4" left to right (shims were giving me a hard time and this doesn't bother me much). It has remained the same level over the 4 days the tank has been running. I'm wondering if I should keep giving this any thought or just leave it be. Thanks for any insight and excuse the lame scape, it's cycling currently and I haven't put too much thought into it!

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PlantedRich

· #2 · Sep 21, 2016

No problem at all. Tanks can be found with support only at the corners so a slight gap in the middle is never a problem. Think of what it would take to make a tank bow down in the middle. For reference, think of the bottom glass which has all the weight of the water on the side of the glass and is only supported around the edge.

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lksdrinker

· #3 · Sep 21, 2016

PlantedRich said:
No problem at all. Tanks can be found with support only at the corners so a slight gap in the middle is never a problem. Think of what it would take to make a tank bow down in the middle. For reference, think of the bottom glass which has all the weight of the water on the side of the glass and is only supported around the edge.

Plus, if there was no gap in those particular spots, the doors would never open!

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Marconis

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 21, 2016 (Edited by Moderator)

I'm talking about the small gap between the front panel and top and bottom panel, where the paper is slid in.

PlantedRich said:
No problem at all. Tanks can be found with support only at the corners so a slight gap in the middle is never a problem. Think of what it would take to make a tank bow down in the middle. For reference, think of the bottom glass which has all the weight of the water on the side of the glass and is only supported around the edge.

That's reassuring. Are you referring to the gaps where the paper is, though? Not the gap between the door and side panel.

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klibs

· #5 · Sep 21, 2016

I have the same stand!

You'll be fine... It's just a 20g

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SueD

· #6 · Sep 21, 2016

I have 5 of these stands and they've been great, very sturdy. I see no need to worry about that small gap.

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Turningdizzy

· #7 · Sep 21, 2016

SueD said:
I have 5 of these stands and they've been great, very sturdy. I see no need to worry about that small gap.

I concur. Check your water levels. Front and Back, Left to Right. Make sure that they are all the same distance from the bottom of the rim. If they are off (noticeably), then contact the stand manufacturer, and they will probably send you the part(S) you need. Been there, done that.

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SueD said:
I have 5 of these stands and they've been great, very sturdy. I see no need to worry about that small gap.

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PlantedRich

· #8 · Sep 22, 2016

Marconis said:
That's reassuring. Are you referring to the gaps where the paper is, though? Not the gap between the door and side panel.

Yes any of those gaps are not a worry. I think of the tanks as much the same as a railroad bridge. As long as the sides can't bow in or out, they certainly can't bow down. Think of them as you might any other piece like wood. If it is laid flat, it will bend easily but if we stand a 1X4 on edge, it will support a tremendous amount of weight if we do hold it from twisting or turning over. Same basic idea is used for bridges that have a side that is tied to the bottom so that you can run a train across.
What we do need to worry about is having all the four corners level so that there is not a twist put on the joints.
But then we are trained to worry about small stuff so you are not alone on that point. Working around college dorms and apartments, I used to see lots of tanks on two stacks of concrete blocks.

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Marconis

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 22, 2016

SueD said:
I have 5 of these stands and they've been great, very sturdy. I see no need to worry about that small gap.

Turningdizzy said:
I concur. Check your water levels. Front and Back, Left to Right. Make sure that they are all the same distance from the bottom of the rim. If they are off (noticeably), then contact the stand manufacturer, and they will probably send you the part(S) you need. Been there, done that.

Bump:
I concur. Check your water levels. Front and Back, Left to Right. Make sure that they are all the same distance from the bottom of the rim. If they are off (noticeably), then contact the stand manufacturer, and they will probably send you the part(S) you need. Been there, done that.

I had the same stand for a 55g that was fine as well but all the pieces lined up perfectly. My water levels are not the same distance from the bottom of the rim. As I noted in the OP, I'm about 1/4" unlevel left to right but I knew that setting it up and it wasn't worth shimming for me. Level front to back on both sides.

Here are photos of how unlevel...top of glass, and on front rim of stand. Checked the floor and it's the same.

Bump:

PlantedRich said:
Yes any of those gaps are not a worry. I think of the tanks as much the same as a railroad bridge. As long as the sides can't bow in or out, they certainly can't bow down. Think of them as you might any other piece like wood. If it is laid flat, it will bend easily but if we stand a 1X4 on edge, it will support a tremendous amount of weight if we do hold it from twisting or turning over. Same basic idea is used for bridges that have a side that is tied to the bottom so that you can run a train across.
What we do need to worry about is having all the four corners level so that there is not a twist put on the joints.
But then we are trained to worry about small stuff so you are not alone on that point. Working around college dorms and apartments, I used to see lots of tanks on two stacks of concrete blocks.

Appreciate all the input. Thanks! I've had aquariums for over ten years and I always worry about tank failures even though I've never had one. *knock on wood*

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PlantedRich

· #10 · Sep 24, 2016

In more than 50 years in and out of the game, I've only broken one tank. I sold it and placed it in the front seat of a guys classic car. You know the type of cars with the crank to roll up the windows? They are not good for tanks when you close the door! I had to give him a different ten gallon but I let him load it.

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Leeatl

· #11 · Sep 25, 2016

Marconis said:
I had the same stand for a 55g that was fine as well but all the pieces lined up perfectly. My water levels are not the same distance from the bottom of the rim. As I noted in the OP, I'm about 1/4" unlevel left to right but I knew that setting it up and it wasn't worth shimming for me. Level front to back on both sides.

Here are photos of how unlevel...top of glass, and on front rim of stand. Checked the floor and it's the same.

Bump:

Appreciate all the input. Thanks! I've had aquariums for over ten years and I always worry about tank failures even though I've never had one. *knock on wood*

I don't think that little off level is anything to worry about . The bubble is inside the lines so can't be more than a small fraction of an inch off .

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