Aquarium Underlayment?

[Hugh Mann]

Setting up a new stand for my 230 gallon. When I bought it, it had that foam underlay for carpet between the stand and tank bottom.

After some digging, I found this is to somehow stabilize the tank… or something? But it was generally more so for rimless, unbraced tanks.

Mine is both rimmed and euro braced. Is this underlayment beneficial to me, and if so, what are the actual benefits?

On that note, what are good materials to use for this?

 

[fishguy242]

hi, 1/2" white styrofoam, benefit ,will self level any minor offsets.
like water ,will sink to true level.

 

[Hugh Mann]

hi, 1/2" white styrofoam, benefit ,will self level any minor offsets.
like water ,will sink to true level.

After some quick searching, it seems 0.5” styrofoam sheets are… not common around here. All I find is 1”+ insulation boards and the like. Will keep looking.

Sounds like just the thing I need for this tank. Thank you for the information.

 

[Hugh Mann]

hi, 1/2" white styrofoam, benefit ,will self level any minor offsets.
like water ,will sink to true level.

I change my reply from “not common” to “entirely unavailable”. Loads of 1”, but no 0.5” to be found anywhere.

Would something like a yoga mat work? I did also find a place selling proper Innovative Marine levelling mats, but that’s $90+

 

[fishguy242]

I change my reply from “not common” to “entirely unavailable”. Loads of 1”, but no 0.5” to be found anywhere.

Would something like a yoga mat work? I did also find a place selling proper Innovative Marine levelling mats, but that’s $90+

yes ,yoga mat will work,long as not too thick,
and stand is within 1/16" of true level.

 

[Hugh Mann]

yes ,yoga mat will work,long as not too thick,
and stand is within 1/16" of true level.

That’s the trick. Getting it within 1/16th of true level. That’s tomorrow’s project, so I guess I’ll see how handy of a carpenter I am.

Very much appreciate the input, thank you.