We know that for many, maintaining an aquarium is an exercise in symmetry and precision, so we probably don’t need to stress the importance of keeping a stable waterline. There are, however, a number of factors that need to be considered when buying and situating a tank to prevent undue stress and damage occurring later on in its life.

Level Headed
Although it seems like an obvious point to start on, your waterline should optimally run parallel to the lip of your tank. In an ideal world this would happen naturally, however, due to the vast range of aquariums on offer, and the even vaster range of surfaces people place them on, this isn’t necessarily the case. A number of aquariums, such as those produced by popular manufacturer Juwel, come with a fully integrated suspended base. This means that regardless of the surface they’re placed on, these aquariums are pretty much able to regulate their own water levels. Within reason, of course, we’re not suggesting balancing it on the back of the sofa or anything.
A Level Playing Field
For other aquariums, however, you’re going to need to go about stabilising your tank to achieve a consistently balanced water level. There are a number of ways to do this, from purpose built aquarium mats to some more ‘homemade’ solutions. The aquarium specialists here at iQuatics would recommend investing in a high quality aquarium mat from one of a number of reputable online retailers. Sometimes referred to as tank mats, these items are made of a soft, malleable material that allows for equal weight distribution across the entirety of aquarium’s base. If budgets are tight, however, you can always try to engineer a makeshift solution, perhaps using some cardboard or Styrofoam, but it really comes down to a question of how much your tank (and flooring) means to you.
As the Cracks Begin to Show
Apart from looking a little odd, an uneven waterline can eventually lead to an increased risk of structural damage to your tank. Uneven weight distribution caused by improper tank situation can lead to an excessive amount of water pressure building up on one side of the tank. Over time this can lead to structural weaknesses like cracks appearing on the sides of the aquarium which, we probably don’t have to stress, can often result in disaster. Unfortunately once you start to notice cracks and fractures beginning to show in your aquarium, a quick and convenient and convenient fix is probably out of the question.
As with all aspects of aquarium maintenance, achieving a stable waterline will require a certain amount of trial and error, unless of course you opt for a professionally designed tank mat. Given the potentially disastrous affects it can have on your tank, however, it’s something we’d recommend affording the utmost attention to. Remember to follow the general rule of thumb that your waterline should run parallel to the rim of your aquarium, and you should be able to prevent any expensive cracks occurring as a result of uneven pressure distribution.