Expanded PVC Board

rtparty · Sep 2, 2021

I need a top for my t slot stand and want to go with something that is naturally water resistant. I don't really want to get plywood and prep it. We all know water spills in this hobby.

My question is: does anyone know the compression strength/rating of expanded PVC board? I have looked at different manufacturers and none of them have that type of rating that I can find. This is for my 72x36x22 peninsula. So 3000 pounds is my rough guess. I have asked multiple "experts" and get different answers. One says it will work and the other says it won't.

If it makes a diffrence the brands I am looking at are Sintra or Celtec. They are available locally.

Crazeh · Sep 5, 2021

I have some experience making enclosures (not aquarium related) with 6mm expanded PVC. I'm not convinced I would use it in this setting. I am not familiar with your tank or stand and exactly how you need to distribute the loads, but I will offer some thoughts.

I would expect the tank rim (assuming rimmed) and the t-nut profile to be seriously imprinted into the PVC. If the rim imprints too much the load may be partially exerted onto the glass instead of the rim.

The material sags readily when without sufficient support underneath, so may behave more like a leveling mat.

The cut edges are a pain to wipe clean; cloths snag and dirt gets stuck in the expanded pores which are exposed after being cutting to size.

Sorry I don't really have any solutions to offer. You could look into thick solid nylon sheets, or plywood with something on top.

rtparty · Sep 5, 2021

Crazeh said:
I have some experience making enclosures (not aquarium related) with 6mm expanded PVC. I'm not convinced I would use it in this setting. I am not familiar with your tank or stand and exactly how you need to distribute the loads, but I will offer some thoughts.

I would expect the tank rim (assuming rimmed) and the t-nut profile to be seriously imprinted into the PVC. If the rim imprints too much the load may be partially exerted onto the glass instead of the rim.

The material sags readily when without sufficient support underneath, so may behave more like a leveling mat.

The cut edges are a pain to wipe clean; cloths snag and dirt gets stuck in the expanded pores which are exposed after being cutting to size.

Sorry I don't really have any solutions to offer. You could look into thick solid nylon sheets, or plywood with something on top.

Thanks for the reply.

I reached out to Kyle Elder with Adaptive Reef and he helped me out. Definitely won't be using expanded PVC (not the kind easily available to me) and will just use plywood like I always have. I'll prep and seal it properly. This will also be cheaper in the end