Couple of Questions

AcuraCl1 · 05/04/2009, 08:46 AM

I just got my new 167G tank and stand in. The manufacturer requires a foam pad to go between the glass and stand. For a 167G what thickness would you recommend, and do you know if they are suppose to be cut to where the pad just covers the glass or the glass and frame.

I also had a sump built, prob was I thought is was going to be acrylic, but they made it out of glass and my return pump is an external Reeflo Dart. Do you know if I could drill a hole into the side of the glass sump for the dart.

Thanks

abulgin · 05/04/2009, 09:03 AM

I don't know about thickness or foam pads for that matter, but I assume that the purpose of the foam pad is to provide some support for the glass bottom, where it sits up off the stand because of the frame, from the weight of the water? If so, I would think that the pad should be cut so it sits inside the frame.

I've heard a lot of people complain about foam pads--shifting unevenly, etc. I also imagine that it can/will deteriorate over time once wet, etc. If it were me, I would use a piece of plastic, closed cell foam (e.g., styrofoam), marble, granite, etc.

der_wille_zur_macht · 05/04/2009, 09:07 AM

Call the manufacturer and ask about the padding. There are lots of different styles of tanks, with unique requirements, and we can't make an recommendation based on the info you've provided.

In regards to the sump - yes, it is typically very easy to drill a glass tank, as long as the panel you are having drilled is not tempered. Again, I would ask the manufacturer. You can drill it yourself (with a roto-zip, dremel, hand drill, or drill press - as long as you have the right bit) or get a local glass shop to drill it for you. Some local fish stores that specialize in reef tanks will even drill glass.

AcuraCl1 · 05/04/2009, 09:10 AM

Thanks, I just got in touch with the manufacturer and they recommended a 1/2" styrofoam pad under the glass only. I am waiting to hear back from them on the glass sump.

Thanks.

05/04/2009, 08:46 AM	#1
AcuraCl1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 362	Couple of Questions I just got my new 167G tank and stand in. The manufacturer requires a foam pad to go between the glass and stand. For a 167G what thickness would you recommend, and do you know if they are suppose to be cut to where the pad just covers the glass or the glass and frame. I also had a sump built, prob was I thought is was going to be acrylic, but they made it out of glass and my return pump is an external Reeflo Dart. Do you know if I could drill a hole into the side of the glass sump for the dart. Thanks

05/04/2009, 09:07 AM	#3
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	Call the manufacturer and ask about the padding. There are lots of different styles of tanks, with unique requirements, and we can't make an recommendation based on the info you've provided. In regards to the sump - yes, it is typically very easy to drill a glass tank, as long as the panel you are having drilled is not tempered. Again, I would ask the manufacturer. You can drill it yourself (with a roto-zip, dremel, hand drill, or drill press - as long as you have the right bit) or get a local glass shop to drill it for you. Some local fish stores that specialize in reef tanks will even drill glass. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

05/04/2009, 09:03 AM	#2
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	I don't know about thickness or foam pads for that matter, but I assume that the purpose of the foam pad is to provide some support for the glass bottom, where it sits up off the stand because of the frame, from the weight of the water? If so, I would think that the pad should be cut so it sits inside the frame. I've heard a lot of people complain about foam pads--shifting unevenly, etc. I also imagine that it can/will deteriorate over time once wet, etc. If it were me, I would use a piece of plastic, closed cell foam (e.g., styrofoam), marble, granite, etc.

05/04/2009, 09:10 AM	#4
AcuraCl1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 362	Thanks, I just got in touch with the manufacturer and they recommended a 1/2" styrofoam pad under the glass only. I am waiting to hear back from them on the glass sump. Thanks.