Fill Level

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acewiza

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Aug 11, 2015
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I have, on occasion, failed to monitor the tanks closely enough when doing a water change and overfilled. Just wondering if anyone knows of a rule of thumb or downside to filling them clear up to within a fraction of an inch of the top?

tia...
 
Hi, all my tanks are filled to about one centimetre below the spreader/bracing bars. I have seen many tanks only two thirds filled and they seem to work OK? Reason most people fill them up is to hide the water line. As long as all the heaters and pump outlets are working OK,then the water level doesn't really matter.{but I would say a minimum of two thirds full}
 
I keep mine as full as possible. It's quieter and less splashing means less evaporation.


Caleb
 
I keep mine full as possible for quietness of splashing, to hide the water line that I find unsightly, and the more water volume is always better (beneficially) to begin with

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I tend to fill until the water's surface is hidden, if you look at the front by the plastic rim.
 
I always try to keep the water about 3/4 inch below the top tank band , anything higher water always tends to leak around the band
 
Thanks for all the replies, guys! Apparently this is no issue. :oops:
 
One thing to also consider is how it affects flow from the outlets of filters at the top. I have two aquaclear filters on each of my tanks. With the water level down lower it directs flow down towards the bottom, and with it at the very top flow will instead flow around the top regions of the tank and not so much to the bottom of my tank (My main tank is 21" tall though i beleive). I use pool filter sand and find that it pushes it up into a big crater if the water level is too low, so i keep it above what will do that or place something there to break up the current. But basically if you find you dont get enough flow towards the bottom and want to try and minimize dead spots, dropping the water level seems to help that.

I try to keep mine as full as possible to keep as much water to dilute nitrate/etc levels, keep noise and evaporation down, and i also find with the water level below the rim my light shines excessively into your eyes as you look at the tank which is annoying lol I also resealed my 75 gallon with the intention of having it not leak unless water went right over the rim, where my 29 gallon will leak if the water level goes above the bottom of the trim on top. In the end, if it doesnt leak you cant really fill it too much. Just keep in mind that flow can be affected as well
 
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