Foam or not to foam

[Cmajor]

just wondering if i should place a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch piece of foam insulation ( the kind you get at lowes/home depot) underneath my tank bottom where it meets the plywood. I have been told both yes and no from different LFS in the surrounding area. So coming on here for advise. I have a 125 gallon long glass(with the black bracing around the edging) on a custom built stand. Any advise would be appreciated

 

[fishguy242]

hi,on a braced trim tank i'd say no,just make sure true level and flush with stand.

 

[Cmajor]

hi,on a braced trim tank i'd say no,just make sure true level and flush with stand.

So it will be ok on the plywood alone right as long as everything is level?

 

[fishguy242]

yes ,level and tight to ply.

 

[sp1187]

yes ,level and tight to ply.

what's the guarantee the mass produced bracing is uniform full length?

 

[Gtinnel]

I have my 125g rimmed tank sitting directly on the 2x6 framing of my diy stand (I didn't put plywood on top of the stand). As already mentioned the important thing is that when you put the tank on the stand there are no gaps between the tank frame and the stand.

 

[CMMorgan]

Is your tank glass or acrylic? Would it hurt to just do it and be safe, not sorry? What if the plywood swells? Does your manufacturer require to warranty?
I will definitely be using one under my new build.

 

[Reverend Turtle]

I've used ½"-1" styrofoam under all my tanks for almost 30 years. It doesn't hurt.

 

[Thaxxx]

No need with a fully rimmed tank

 

[Lazysavage]

I have to agree rimless I use foam rimless no foam. You could put it on foam but I don’t see the point. Unless you are trying to insulate the bottom or have a reason other than leveling you will not need foam.

 

[Gtinnel]

I have to agree rimless I use foam rimless no foam.

I think you have a typo since you listed both as rimless. I agree with what you meant to say.

 

[Lazysavage]

I think you have a typo since you listed both as rimless. I agree with what you meant to say.

Lol yup I do not use foam for a rimmed tank. Thanks for catching that.

 

[Tamberav]

just wondering if i should place a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch piece of foam insulation ( the kind you get at lowes/home depot) underneath my tank bottom where it meets the plywood. I have been told both yes and no from different LFS in the surrounding area. So coming on here for advise. I have a 125 gallon long glass(with the black bracing around the edging) on a custom built stand. Any advise would be appreciated

With black bracing. Firm no.

 

[Cmajor]

Is your tank glass or acrylic? Would it hurt to just do it and be safe, not sorry? What if the plywood swells? Does your manufacturer require to warranty?
I will definitely be using one under my new build.

Its glass

 

[Cmajor]

So my tank is on the plywood and all corners touch the plywood but as you start to go towards the middle of the tank the rim of the tank is not touching. There is about 1/4 gap between the tank and the plywood. Is this going to be a issue??

 

[Pntbll687]

Why don't you contact the manufacturer and see what they suggest. You don't want to cod a warranty on a new tank by adding our not using something that is recommended

 

[kenchilada]

So my tank is on the plywood and all corners touch the plywood but as you start to go towards the middle of the tank the rim of the tank is not touching. There is about 1/4 gap between the tank and the plywood. Is this going to be a issue??

What are the tank dimensions? How long is the span that is not touching?

Tanks need to be on a surface that is level and flat.

 

[ca1ore]

1/4” is a lot. Probably stand not tank.

why not ask the tank manufacturer what they recommend.

 

[Gtinnel]

I've always heard that on a rimmed tank the corners are the most important part, but I would not be willing to leave my tank with a 1/4" gap between the tank and stand anywhere. I believe it's acceptable to shim between your plywood and the frame of the stand to get it flat, just don't shim between the plywood and the tank. Or even better you can take the plywood off and use a block or power planer to flatten out the stand and then put the plywood back.

 

[Cmajor]

I've always heard that on a rimmed tank the corners are the most important part, but I would not be willing to leave my tank with a 1/4" gap between the tank and stand anywhere. I believe it's acceptable to shim between your plywood and the frame of the stand to get it flat, just don't shim between the plywood and the tank. Or even better you can take the plywood off and use a block or power planer to flatten out the stand and then put the plywood back.

So im thinking maybe i need to get to shimming to make it all equal out