Padding underneath a rimless tank

Cloudburst2000 · 03/02/2012, 08:46 AM

I understand that a rimless tank needs some type of padding underneath it to correct for any minute imperfections in the stand. I understand the concept since with a rimless tank all the water pressure between the tank and stand will actually be on the bottom glass pane and not on the rim. I have recently acquired a rimless acrylic tank. The tank is 16 gallons and is 24"L X 13"T x 12"W. What type of 'padding' should I add underneath the tank? Also, the stand is white so I'd like the padding to match in color. Can you paint the padding to match, and if so, what type of paint should I use? Thanks!

cjk76 · 03/02/2012, 08:49 AM

Just buy a yoga mat a cut it up. I can't see why you couldn't find a white one, but paint should be fine too. Just don't paint it in the same room as the tank...

JTL · 03/02/2012, 10:08 AM

Depends on the tank construction if the bottom is flush with the sides it should be padded if the bottom is raised then it is not necessary.

Cloudburst2000 · 03/02/2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTL

Depends on the tank construction if the bottom is flush with the sides it should be padded if the bottom is raised then it is not necessary.

It's flush with the sides.

Hal · 03/02/2012, 12:09 PM

Generally people go to a big box hardware store and buy the foam sheathing/insulation that builders put on houses. It comes in 1/2 inch thick 4x8 sheets, and two densities; get the more dense version due to the weight of the tank. I think the cost is $15-25 per sheet.

I can't help you with color. The Dow brand is usually pink because of their trademark. The one I got was green. You can always put a layer of starboard down on the inside of the tank if you are going bare-bottom and don't want to see the foam. I'm going to have the woodwork on my stand cover up the bottom inch or so of my tank, so it'll cover the foam too.

Cloudburst2000 · 03/03/2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hal

Generally people go to a big box hardware store and buy the foam sheathing/insulation that builders put on houses. It comes in 1/2 inch thick 4x8 sheets, and two densities; get the more dense version due to the weight of the tank. I think the cost is $15-25 per sheet.

I can't help you with color. The Dow brand is usually pink because of their trademark. The one I got was green. You can always put a layer of starboard down on the inside of the tank if you are going bare-bottom and don't want to see the foam. I'm going to have the woodwork on my stand cover up the bottom inch or so of my tank, so it'll cover the foam too.

Thanks for the info. Exactly what I was looking for.

FishNFun · 03/03/2012, 11:58 AM

If color is an issue you can get black foam board from Office Max or Staples. It's more expensive and not as thick so you'd have to use several layers but it looks great under a tank.

Cloudburst2000 · 03/03/2012, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishNFun

If color is an issue you can get black foam board from Office Max or Staples. It's more expensive and not as thick so you'd have to use several layers but it looks great under a tank.

The stand is actually white so black wouldn't look so good. I'm looking for white padding, or to paint the padding white. I might look into the foam board too. It sounds like it would be great if it comes in white. How thick should the padding be? I wouldn't think that it would need to be too thick. The tank is only 16 gallons.

03/02/2012, 08:46 AM	#1
Cloudburst2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,485	Padding underneath a rimless tank I understand that a rimless tank needs some type of padding underneath it to correct for any minute imperfections in the stand. I understand the concept since with a rimless tank all the water pressure between the tank and stand will actually be on the bottom glass pane and not on the rim. I have recently acquired a rimless acrylic tank. The tank is 16 gallons and is 24"L X 13"T x 12"W. What type of 'padding' should I add underneath the tank? Also, the stand is white so I'd like the padding to match in color. Can you paint the padding to match, and if so, what type of paint should I use? Thanks!

03/02/2012, 10:08 AM	#3
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	Depends on the tank construction if the bottom is flush with the sides it should be padded if the bottom is raised then it is not necessary. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

03/02/2012, 12:09 PM	#5
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	Generally people go to a big box hardware store and buy the foam sheathing/insulation that builders put on houses. It comes in 1/2 inch thick 4x8 sheets, and two densities; get the more dense version due to the weight of the tank. I think the cost is $15-25 per sheet. I can't help you with color. The Dow brand is usually pink because of their trademark. The one I got was green. You can always put a layer of starboard down on the inside of the tank if you are going bare-bottom and don't want to see the foam. I'm going to have the woodwork on my stand cover up the bottom inch or so of my tank, so it'll cover the foam too. __________________ Some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints. Current Tank Info: 250g starphire: 72x28x30, BeanAnimal drain with an oversized non-durso emergency drain, 4 inch DSB, 3x Reefbreeders Value LED fixtures, SWC/MSX 300A skimmer, Geo kalk reactor, 3 Vortechs w/bb, carbon reactor, and a RKL

03/02/2012, 08:49 AM	#2
cjk76 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kansas City, KS Posts: 358	Just buy a yoga mat a cut it up. I can't see why you couldn't find a white one, but paint should be fine too. Just don't paint it in the same room as the tank...

03/03/2012, 11:58 AM	#7
FishNFun Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 521	If color is an issue you can get black foam board from Office Max or Staples. It's more expensive and not as thick so you'd have to use several layers but it looks great under a tank.