Foam under aquarium

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dubs83
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BRS

Do you use foam or other material between your tank and stand?

  • Yes

    Votes: 201 54.0%

  • No

    Votes: 171 46.0%
  • Total voters
    372
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KrisReef said:
It could be made to work, but it would probably be far simpler to buy 2 pieces and cut simple rectangles than for me to try and explain how. I have been sitting here trying to figure out how to explain this, and laughing at myself because I am struggling to put the words together.
But I'll give it a try, and apologize in advance if I don't teach this subject very clearly. Sorry.
If you lay a straight edge at an angle across the 48" width, that is where you need to cut, and slide these two pieces in opposite directions along the cut. As the two pieces slide, the 96" dimension will "grow". If you set the tank on top of these pieces, you can trim along the edge of the tank and custom fit your tank to the foam.

Now I'm the one over thinking this, lol. buy 2!
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Ha! Two it is!
 
Joshua M Hall said:
What is the best foam to use and where can you normally find it? Thanks
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c50ae08e5c262a0716a853f8a2e4bce9.jpg


This is the one I plan on using. Do wait for a response to make sure there are no objections. Lol
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
KrisReef said:
Well then, I hate wasted styrofoam, I quit drinking coffee in styro cups after I saw the LA River after a rainstorm, but that's my issue.
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If your tank is thin enough, you could use one piece and cut two shapes like the one on the far right and cover the entire bottom w/o any gap. And the beauty of this would be it would involve two isosceles trapezoids and how many folks out there could say that? :) hth!
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Should have said shape on left, not far right but that’s the curse of no sleep and dyslexia and trying to think about geometry at the same time. It really is an easy 1 piece solution but someone else needs to explain it, I’m out of brain cells for that task.
 
KrisReef said:
Should have said shape on left, not far right but that’s the curse of no sleep and dyslexia and trying to think about geometry at the same time. It really is an easy 1 piece solution but someone else needs to explain it, I’m out of brain cells for that task.
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My fiancé is a civil engineer so I’ll let her look at this. I should have recruited her for this in the first place! Thanks for the idea as this is beyond my pay grade :)
 
Does your aquarium have a rim or is it completely flat on the bottom? If it has a rim i would just use a thin 1.5” wide strip on the outer edges. I’ve done this with all my aquariums for over a decade. I always use this harder green styrofoam board. The one you have pictured is way too soft if your tank has any kind of rim. If it is a flat bottomed tank and your stand only supports the outer edge it may also be too soft.

D67E9FCF-4EB0-4A45-86E2-1BC84BF61B0B.jpeg
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
Reefinmike said:
Does your aquarium have a rim or is it completely flat on the bottom? If it has a rim i would just use a thin 1.5” wide strip on the outer edges. I’ve done this with all my aquariums for over a decade. I always use this harder green styrofoam board. The one you have pictured is way too soft if your tank has any kind of rim. If it is a flat bottomed tank and your stand only supports the outer edge it may also be too soft.

D67E9FCF-4EB0-4A45-86E2-1BC84BF61B0B.jpeg
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It’s rimless. The entire bottom makes contact with the stand. Hmm. Can you recommend what I should be using? I read the green stuff is too firm
 
Yeah if it’s completely flat on the bottom the soft foam sheets you show would be fine, I would just ensure your stand completely supports the bottom glass with thick plywood. In my pic, my stand only supports the outer rim for my rimmed tank. I would stick with 1/2 or 3/4” of the soft foam. I know that foam can be bought almost 2” thick. I think that would make the tank wobbley.
 
Tidal Gardens
as for your initial question- dont over complicate it. Say your tank is 8’ 1/2” x 2’. Cut one piece of foam 7’x2’ and another 1’ 1/2”x 2’.
 
Reefinmike said:
as for your initial question- dont over complicate it. Say your tank is 8’ 1/2” x 2’. Cut one piece of foam 7’x2’ and another 1’ 1/2”x 2’.
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Yes sir! I’m going to go with the trapezoid and cut to the perimeter. As far as the foam, I was planning on using the 3/4” board. Thanks for your help, Mike!
 
I never put foam under any tanks. Coz all of my tanks have floating bottom. The tank is most likely to fail with foam underneath it for this type. It would be brief to explain, I'm dead tired rn.
 
Dubs83 said:
Yes sir! I’m going to go with the trapezoid and cut to the perimeter. As far as the foam, I was planning on using the 3/4” board. Thanks for your help, Mike!
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Don't let this one get away. Her support for your project, the tank and now R2R is beyond monetary valuation! You are obviously a very lucky guy, Dubs83.
 
TherealplexiG said:
I never put foam under any tanks. Coz all of my tanks have floating bottom. The tank is most likely to fail with foam underneath it for this type. It would be brief to explain, I'm dead tired rn.
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Correct, you do not want foam contacting the bottom glass on a floating bottom tank. However if you only put foam under the rim like i did you are more protected than ever.
 
I have had foam under all of my tanks since about 1990. Generally I always tell people that ask to follow the recommendation of the tank manufacturer (maintain warranty) even if I don't necessarily follow my own advice LOL. My current tank has no trim and sits flat on the full bottom so it requires a full width and length foam sheet. Manufacturer said either the rigid pink stuff or the pebbled white stuff that came with the packing were acceptable. My prior tank was a rimmed ML265, and even though they said to not use foam I did anyway. Their argument against it was mostly nonsensical; plus I'd already voided the warranty by using a DIY stand and drilling extra holes. Tank sat on pink foam for 4 years and sank in maybe 1/16".
 
How about using sheet rubber. Tractor supply has it 48" wide and they sell it by the running foot. I think it comes in 1/4" and 3/8" thick.
 
Every tank manufacturer will have their own advice or requirements based on their particular design.
If you are not sure what should be placed under tank, or if anything should be placed under tank, you should contact that tanks manufacturer, most are quick to give you the info you need.
 
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BRS

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%

  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%

  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%

  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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