Hey all. Not long ago, I set up a 90 gallon/350 litre tank. I love it. But whenever I walk by the tank, especially when I walk by the left or right sides, this weird noise happens. It's like several small pops, like stress going through wood when you try bending a plank. It sounds like it's coming from the very top of the tank. Even if I don't walk past, I can lightly place my foot beside the tank and slowly press down on the floor and it'll make the same noise. It doesn't take much pressure. It doesn't usually so it all the time – if I walk by and then walk by a few more times immediately after, it'll only make the noise the first time. After that, I might need to wait a little while before it creaks again.
The stand is made specifically for the tank, and it's on LVT flooring, which is laid on top of a solid concrete floor. The LVT does creak a little generally. I've used a spirit level and it seems pretty level, although if I place the level on the floor in front of the tank I can rock it slightly.
The noise definitely seems like it's coming from the top of the tank, so whatever is causing it seems to be moving from the floor, through the stand, maybe through the glass as well? It's a Fluval Shaker 345, so should be reputable.
I don't have anywhere else to put the tank, my only option if it's dangerous is to get rid of it. Is there anything I can do, or am I worrying over nothing?
Posted by SillyDeersFloppyEars
13 Comments
It’s more likely ur flooring that’s making noise
Take the topper off and see if you still hear it.
Beautiful set up and cabinet! Where did you get the cabinet?
It’s definitely moving with the floor. You might even have a corner that’s not totally touching with full weight of tank. I would try to figure out where that might be and add a thin shim to fill that spot in. I own four 90 gallon tanks and just setup a 120 gallon tank. Most are on stands I’ve made and rest are on stands for the tank. My floors move a lot. I have to shim corners about 1/4” to level them. Also what do to all my big tank stands. I attach them to the wall in to the studs. As my biggest fear is them falling over. This helps to stabilize them after you have confirmed level. Your tank is showing pretty damn level. I have a couple that aren’t level but the main thing is the you have all corners sitting flat. If not that’s when it can settle the wrong way and break. I would definitely try to figure out if you have any corners or stand not fully on ground.
Sorry not sure if any of this makes sense. I kind of just went on and on lol.
Yes sound can travel through solid mediums, think of like driving a car and there’s something rattling, the whole car is moving but you’re only hearing the piece that is making the sound.
Likely the tank is level but your concrete floor is not, or the floor isn’t flat. I think you’ll be fine, if you’re worried enough and it moves enough, you can shim under the tank stand in the corners on either side. Otherwise I wouldn’t worry about it. It will likely eventually leave an impression in the LVP where the pressure of the tank is greatest, but that’s normal wear and tear imo.
Summary, you’re good as long as the tank stand is built solidly and designed for the tank size (appears so), if you feel like it’s worth it, shim under the tank stand corners at the floor. Otherwise, enjoy the beautiful aquarium. -from a mechanical engineer
You’re overthinking it, no worries at all. It’s the LVT which is cheap flooring(I have tons at home)
I would take my hand and GENTLY press on different places on the top/where you are hearing the noise. See if you can feel the vibration or maybe the noise stops with gentle pressure with your hand. That could give you more insignt on the creaking.
I’m sure it’s the flooring.
So, round about thought. Is the tank lid somewhat sealed? If it happens once, then you have to wait a while for it to happen again, is it completely unthinkable that it’s a mild pressure build up? Almost like cracking your knuckles? Or even the humidity from evaporating water causing the facade on top to swell and warp enough to cause the sound?
It’s them cheap floors. They might me making clicking popping noises and traveling through the stand and glass. Look up LVP flooring noise online and checkout the videos.
I agree it’s probably just the LVT floor. You could get a leak detector and place it near the floor as a just-in-case. That tank is amazingly level. I don’t have any floors that level in my home.
Try to determine where the creak is coming from (shelf, corner joint etc). Once you determine attempt to repair. If it’s a joint – you may have to replace.
As someone who’s a musician and has heard plenty of random noises that are hard to explain at first, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if it’s just your floor making the sound and the tank is essentially amplifying it. Which would make sense as to why it sounds like it’s coming from the top. Realistically the top shouldn’t be the part that’s making creaking noises if it was going to fall down. Especially considering the stand is made for the tank like you said, I don’t think there’s anything to be worried about.