Neoprene sheet as under-tank foam?

Aegeon · 04/22/2010, 11:10 PM

I'm a newbie in the middle of a 25g 18" rimless cube build. I've been reading about how a layer of foam is recommended beneath rimless glass tanks. My stand has a solid-surface top that the tank will rest on, with no lip or inset, so any foam I put under the tank is going to be visible. For this reason, I'd rather not use the thick pink insulation foam I've seen recommended, or a thick sheet of white styrofoam.

I found a website that sells various types of closed-cell foam, including neoprene sheets starting at 1/8" thick. Neoprene is the same foam rubber they use to make wetsuits. Does anyone think I could use a 1/8" or 1/4" sheet of neoprene under my tank? I think the black color of the foam wouldn't look too bad.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

crvz · 04/23/2010, 07:38 AM

you could, but it wont give you the same protection that the thicker building foam will. If the surface of your stand is very flat and level, I'd probably be alright with the neoprene on a tank that small.

jdargonaut · 04/23/2010, 11:14 PM

I built a professional music recording studio and all the walls called for 1/2" thick neoprene under the framing for sound isolation. The walls had 3 layers of drywall on each side which made them very heavy. I'm sure they could handle the weight of the tank, I always thought the neoprene would do a better job of absorbing inconsistencies than foam. I've always been surprised at how rigid the foam actually is and wondered if it was really doing anything under my tank. I set up a 190gal once, thinking I had my stand dialed in and flat, even with the foam I still had air gaps under the tank. I really don't think my stand was that bad, I think the foam just wasn't helping any (not hurting either).

I think the give and take is that you want something that can absorb inconsistencies but also will support enough so the center of the bottom panel cannot sag too much.

I would personally like to try the 1/4" neoprene under my next tank as it would only allow a certain amount of deflection. If you try it let us know how it works!

Dont Ask Me · 04/24/2010, 02:14 AM

If your just worried about seeing it from the front, why dont you just build a nice frame out of some small scale skirting board for the bottom of your tank, not only will it hide the foam it will frame the tank and make it look very distinguished.

04/22/2010, 11:10 PM	#1
Aegeon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 63	Neoprene sheet as under-tank foam? I'm a newbie in the middle of a 25g 18" rimless cube build. I've been reading about how a layer of foam is recommended beneath rimless glass tanks. My stand has a solid-surface top that the tank will rest on, with no lip or inset, so any foam I put under the tank is going to be visible. For this reason, I'd rather not use the thick pink insulation foam I've seen recommended, or a thick sheet of white styrofoam. I found a website that sells various types of closed-cell foam, including neoprene sheets starting at 1/8" thick. Neoprene is the same foam rubber they use to make wetsuits. Does anyone think I could use a 1/8" or 1/4" sheet of neoprene under my tank? I think the black color of the foam wouldn't look too bad. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

04/23/2010, 07:38 AM	#2
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	you could, but it wont give you the same protection that the thicker building foam will. If the surface of your stand is very flat and level, I'd probably be alright with the neoprene on a tank that small. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

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04/23/2010, 11:14 PM	#3
jdargonaut Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: san diego Posts: 91	I built a professional music recording studio and all the walls called for 1/2" thick neoprene under the framing for sound isolation. The walls had 3 layers of drywall on each side which made them very heavy. I'm sure they could handle the weight of the tank, I always thought the neoprene would do a better job of absorbing inconsistencies than foam. I've always been surprised at how rigid the foam actually is and wondered if it was really doing anything under my tank. I set up a 190gal once, thinking I had my stand dialed in and flat, even with the foam I still had air gaps under the tank. I really don't think my stand was that bad, I think the foam just wasn't helping any (not hurting either). I think the give and take is that you want something that can absorb inconsistencies but also will support enough so the center of the bottom panel cannot sag too much. I would personally like to try the 1/4" neoprene under my next tank as it would only allow a certain amount of deflection. If you try it let us know how it works!

04/24/2010, 02:14 AM	#4
Dont Ask Me Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Australia, sunshine coast Posts: 234	If your just worried about seeing it from the front, why dont you just build a nice frame out of some small scale skirting board for the bottom of your tank, not only will it hide the foam it will frame the tank and make it look very distinguished.