questions about setting up new tanks

[Seawitch]

I gotta ask:

I know the surface for the aquarium needs to be level, but is it important to have some styrofoam or something underneath the aquarium? This is something that never crossed my mind with freshwater, but I'd like to start out right.

Thanks folks.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Don't know if with a rimless tank will be need it but I never put anything on the bottom of my tanks.

 

[Sallstrom]

We've used yoga mats a couple of times. Worked well.

 

[CaptainsReef]

We have a yoga mat under our as well

 

[Captain Quint]

I do with G.C.'s tanks

 

[justmee]

Some LFS sells some water absorbing matts that you can place under the aquarium.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Depends on the tank/manufacturer.

If you have a raised plastic frame on your tank, no foam/pad is needed. That is, the plastic frame is what contacts the top of the stand while the glass is raised a slight bit, and not in contact with the stand top.

If you have a flat bottom tank, or close to it, I'd recommend seeing what the tank manufacturer recommends....which most likely is some type of padding. I have a Glass Cages tank that has a flat plastic frame (not raised) and here's what the manufacturer suggests:

We always suggest 3/4" thick styrofoam. Plain white, not the foil-backed kind. Will probably squish down to 1/2" thick when weight of tank is placed on it. Using the foam eliminates any pressure points on bottom - long lived happy tank with foam.

 

[Captain Quint]

Depends on the tank/manufacturer.

If you have a raised plastic frame on your tank, no foam/pad is needed. That is, the plastic frame is what contacts the top of the stand while the glass is raised a slight bit, and not in contact with the stand top.

If you have a flat bottom tank, or close to it, I'd recommend seeing what the tank manufacturer recommends....which most likely is some type of padding. I have a Glass Cages tank that has a flat plastic frame (not raised) and here's what the manufacturer suggests:

We always suggest 3/4" thick styrofoam. Plain white, not the foil-backed kind. Will probably squish down to 1/2" thick when weight of tank is placed on it. Using the foam eliminates any pressure points on bottom - long lived happy tank with foam.

I agree that it does depend on the manufacturer.

The tank that went on the stand I showed in the above post is from G.C.'s The past 5 out of 8 tanks have been G.C.'s and always did what they said.

 

[Seawitch]

Great advice. Thank you all very much.

 

[Katrina71]

Aren't you just going to levitate yours anyhow? Lol

 

[Captain Quint]

Aren't you just going to levitate yours anyhow? Lol

LOL, my friend. Busting a gut here. @Seawitch you've gotta admit that is funny.

 

[Katrina71]

LOL, my friend. Busting a gut here. @Seawitch you've gotta admit that is funny.

She's probably laughing and busy stirring a potion.

 

[Seawitch]

Yes, @Captain Quint I actually just about spit out my coke when I read what @Katrina71 had to say. Yes, of course, I'll just levitate mine! Below is an actual picture of me unpacking my stuff.

 

[Katrina71]

Wonder what kind of nitrates you'll get with lizard tails and bat wings?

 

[Seawitch]

Wonder what kind of nitrates you'll get with lizard tails and bat wings?

I think there may be a whole new science evolving with my tank. Fortunately, I have the professor (@Greg Gdowski) to help me make sense of all the bizarre numbers that no one will have ever seen before. ;Bookworm;Wacky

 

[Katrina71]

I look forward to seeing your "magical" tank.

 

[Dom]

I gotta ask:

I know the surface for the aquarium needs to be level, but is it important to have some styrofoam or something underneath the aquarium? This is something that never crossed my mind with freshwater, but I'd like to start out right.

Thanks folks.

I like to place 1/4 inch Styrofoam between my tank and stand. It serves as a way for the tank to self-level.

 

[Captain Quint]

Yes, @Captain Quint I actually just about spit out my coke when I read what @Katrina71 had to say. Yes, of course, I'll just levitate mine! Below is an actual picture of me unpacking my stuff.

LOL.

 

[Captain Quint]

I look forward to seeing your "magical" tank.

I broke out my worlock crystal ball to look at the future tank of @Seawitch and I'm impressed.