rimless tank to marble question

mlivvy · Jan 24, 2014

I had a custom rimless tank built but I didn't know about the "glass to marble" rule. I didn't specify what stand I had so it wasn't built with the support thing they do to sit on marble. The maker suggested I use a pvc board or these rubber bumper things like these..

I like the rubber bumper idea because it's less of an eyesore over the pvc board. I looked around to see if anyone has used it but I didn't find much info. Can anyone confirm it will be ok to use?

TheGrimmReefer · Jan 24, 2014

pvc board doesn't "give" so that wouldn't work anyway. Foam board or even plywood would work fine. Never seen the rubber things, so idk about that.

mlivvy · Jan 24, 2014

I don't think it's pvc it's some other poly material. It's used for rimless tanks I just didn't like the look of it. Waiting to see if anyone has any info on the rubber bumbers.

GHill762 · Jan 24, 2014

starboard?

I think I've seen people put that under tanks :squigglemouth:

SeeingGreen · Jan 24, 2014

Expanded polystyrene or extruded polystyrene are the typical recommendations they are just foam

SeeingGreen · Jan 24, 2014

Starboard is just a brand name of high-density polyethylene if I remember correctly.

cparka23 · Jan 24, 2014

I'll bite. What is this "rule" regarding glass and marble? (I assume the marble refers to the material on the top of your stand.)

Starboard typically goes in tanks, not under them.

Regarding the padding, it's often foamboard as TheGrimmReefer mentioned. Even without seeing those rubber bumpers in person, you're probably not going to be able to use that. Those bumpers appear to have lots of contours on them, and a few hundred pounds laying on top of those bumps will create focal points of pressure on the bottom of the tank. You need a flat surface to evenly distribute the pressure coming from the weight of the tank and water. The point of foamboard is that it has a bit of give to absorb the unevenness of the underlying surface but has enough structure to it that it doesn't transfer all of the pressure from a high/low spot to the bottom pane of your tank.

mlivvy · Jan 26, 2014

Here are some pics to better explain.

This is the board that I was going to use under the tank..

I don't know the material exactly but it's commonly being used under tanks that are going glass against marble.

This is the other option.. The rubber bumpers.

I like the rubber bumpers because its less noticeable but again i'm a bit skeptical.

TheGrimmReefer · Jan 27, 2014

cparka23 said:
I'll bite. What is this "rule" regarding glass and marble? (I assume the marble refers to the material on the top of your stand.)

Starboard typically goes in tanks, not under them.

Regarding the padding, it's often foamboard as TheGrimmReefer mentioned. Even without seeing those rubber bumpers in person, you're probably not going to be able to use that. Those bumpers appear to have lots of contours on them, and a few hundred pounds laying on top of those bumps will create focal points of pressure on the bottom of the tank. You need a flat surface to evenly distribute the pressure coming from the weight of the tank and water. The point of foamboard is that it has a bit of give to absorb the unevenness of the underlying surface but has enough structure to it that it doesn't transfer all of the pressure from a high/low spot to the bottom pane of your tank.

Exactly, this.