Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

[Fin]

So is Reef Savvy

 

[Katrina71]

I would love to know the science behind it.

 

[Fin]

Basically, it just helps level out any small imperfections in the stand that may cause uneven pressure on the tank.

 

[Katrina71]

I guess it absorbs the shock instead of the glass.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

@TheShrimpNibbler I'm at work. Sorry for being abrupt.

I didn’t see anything wrong with your answer. I don’t have any rimless tanks, so I don’t have to worry. I have those beautiful, black plastic rims on all of my tanks

 

[SashimiTurtle]

SCA comes with a styrofoam mat... the one with my replacement tank was damaged, so I was told to use yoga mat. I believe it is 1/4". Its blue... it was that or pink at Walmart. Black was out of stock and I didn't want to pay double and wait on Amazon. Red Sea and Innovative Marine each come with a black foam mat.

I do not like styrofoam.... not sure why they want to use that crap.

 

[Katrina71]

I didn’t see anything wrong with your answer. I don’t have any rimless tanks, so I don’t have to worry. I have those beautiful, black plastic rims on all of my tanks

Nothing wrong with those in the least!

 

[Why-Me]

SCA comes with a styrofoam mat... the one with my replacement tank was damaged, so I was told to use yoga mat. I believe it is 1/4". Its blue... it was that or pink at Walmart. Black was out of stock and I didn't want to pay double and wait on Amazon. Red Sea and Innovative Marine each come with a black foam mat.

I do not like styrofoam.... not sure why they want to use that crap.

The science behind it is that styrofoam is an imperfect cellular structure in which the bottom layer compresses and molds to the stand and the top layer compresses and molds to the bottom of the tank leaving the center structure intact and compressed tightly so it can't move or compress anymore, meaning no shifting of weight after the initial press from the tank full of water.

 

[NY_Caveman]

The science behind it is that styrofoam is an imperfect cellular structure in which the bottom layer compresses and molds to the stand and the top layer compresses and molds to the bottom of the tank leaving the center structure intact and compressed tightly so it can't move or compress anymore, meaning no shifting of weight after the initial press from the tank full of water.

By that logic, the mat might be better. If you ever move the tank it would seem a must to get a new styrofoam piece.

 

[Why-Me]

By that logic, the mat might be better. If you ever move the tank it would seem a must to get a new styrofoam piece.

Absolutely especially if it gets wet in the move, not sure how it wouldn't really.

 

[Katrina71]

White foam 1" is what I had planned.

 

[Katrina71]

@JoshH what did you use?

 

[Why-Me]

Another item overlooked for a mat under the tank is a drawer mat from lowes home depot or menards.
It's the same material as yoga mat and has perforations so when compressed it compresses into a nice flat single sheet.
Similar to yoga mat.

White foam 1" is what I had planned.

Sounds thick but if that's what they recommend at Miracles for their tank then I'd do what they say for warranty purposes etc.
The thin one that came with my SCA 50 cube is only 1/8th of an inch thick.

Great topic right now!!

 

[Magellan]

I didn’t see anything wrong with your answer. I don’t have any rimless tanks, so I don’t have to worry. I have those beautiful, black plastic rims on all of my tanks

It seems like rimless tanks are giving up some serious structural integrity for the sake of aesthetic appeal...but then turn around and need some styrofoam or a yoga mat! (Not exactly the most aesthetically appealing thing!). I prefer my rimmed tanks that I have never spent a single second worrying about lol

 

[JoshH]

By that logic, the mat might be better. If you ever move the tank it would seem a must to get a new styrofoam piece.

Probably would have to get a new piece if the tank was moved yes, however Styrofoam is relatively cheap compared to some of the alternatives. And it usually isn't adhered to the bottom of the tank so it's easy to replace.

@JoshH what did you use?

I used 1" Styrofoam that came with my tank, well the two side pieces, I had to cut them to fit properly and snuggly but it works and is what Miracles recommended (When I say recommended I mean they recommended the 1" styrofoam, not use the pieces they shipped with the tank lol).

I've toyed around with the idea of lifting the tank off and replacing it with one solid sheet of styrofoam, but the thought of lifting the 450 pound tank to do it has kindof put a damper on that plan.

 

[JoshH]

It seems like rimless tanks are giving up some serious structural integrity for the sake of aesthetic appeal...but then turn around and need some styrofoam or a yoga mat! (Not exactly the most aesthetically appealing thing!). I prefer my rimmed tanks that I have never spent a single second worrying about lol

As far as aesthetics goes, really a recessed portion of the stand deep enough for the foam to sit into will keep the trim less look without seeing any of the foam. Kindof like how my stand is but I had to go an inch orso taller to cover up the bottom plastic trim piece my tank came with ;Bored

I'm not a fan of rimless/trimless or rimless tanks (Yes the two are different) myself which is why I was a little bothered by the trim that came on my tank. But I came up with an easy solution so now it works

 

[LadyMac]

Ok what about the styrofoam insulation? It seems to me it disperses weight better and it’s a go to for fish boxes by betta breeders due to the cost and ease of cutting.

 

[Katrina71]

I'm a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. A bigger picture if you will. The 60 tank never happened. One life obstacle after another. I have never had that happen before. Now, as life unfolded...the Miracle happened and the new owner of the 60, is a plumber by trade. He agreed to come instruct US piece by piece how to do it. Coincidence? I don't think so.

 

[Katrina71]

He came by work today and randomly hugged me. Lol. They already moved it into their house last night and put it in the corner they were dreaming of putting a tank. It fits perfectly!

 

[NY_Caveman]

Ok what about the styrofoam insulation? It seems to me it disperses weight better and it’s a go to for fish boxes by betta breeders due to the cost and ease of cutting.

I had never considered styrofoam honestly. Not sure which of the two is “better.” Seems larger, custom vendors recommend the styrofoam. Most smaller mass produced tanks I have researched opt for yoga mat. Perhaps the mats are fine for smaller tanks.