Should I put rubber mat between stand and tank?

gm1582 · 01/23/2013, 12:13 PM

I'm setting up my first ever saltwater aquarium. I have a wood stand and a 65gal reef ready glass tank. The overflows are in the bottom of the tank.

Should I put a rubber mat between the top of the stand and the bottom of the tank? I'm concerned mainly with vibration and noise. Are there any negatives to doing this?

I was also thinking of putting a rubber mat under the sump which will sit in the bottom of the stand. Any comments on that?

Cymonous · 01/23/2013, 12:21 PM

I don't think a mat is needed between the stand and the tank. The tank should sit flat on the stand and with the weight of the tank, water, sand, rock, etc; there should not be any vibration with the tank and stand. The only reason I can see using a mat is for water getting on the stand.

bnumair · 01/23/2013, 12:35 PM

i always used a styrofoam between tank and stand. i got all my tanks custom made at glasscages and rim or rimless they recommend foam under the tank.
lowes carry styrofoam sheets in insulation dept.

sleepydoc · 01/23/2013, 09:48 PM

A thin layer of foam under rimless tanks to prevent stress fractures from any debris that might be underneath.

No padding under a framed tank.

In either case, the tank should sit solidly and level on the stand. If there's any rocking fix the stand or the floor before doing anything else.

Elrodg · 01/23/2013, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepydoc

A thin layer of foam under rimless tanks to prevent stress fractures from any debris that might be underneath.

No padding under a framed tank.

In either case, the tank should sit solidly and level on the stand. If there's any rocking fix the stand or the floor before doing anything else.

+1

If you put anything under it it will rock.
If you have a wooden stand and are worried about damage long term. Apply a waterproof membrane like a truck bed liner to the bottom. But I wouldn't go so far as to put a mat there

Ghstwolf · 01/23/2013, 11:08 PM

I you have a rimless tank then yes.. But I wouldn't use a piece of rubber.. Carpet foam, styrofoam would be ok as they have a bit cushion. But like others have said, if your tank rocks or has movement then fix that problem first.

You can put the same carpet foam or like under your sump to help cut down on vibrations caused by your return pump and or skimmer pumps. Some people do some don't.. Personally I did and I'm happy with it..

01/23/2013, 12:13 PM	#1
gm1582 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 11	Should I put rubber mat between stand and tank? I'm setting up my first ever saltwater aquarium. I have a wood stand and a 65gal reef ready glass tank. The overflows are in the bottom of the tank. Should I put a rubber mat between the top of the stand and the bottom of the tank? I'm concerned mainly with vibration and noise. Are there any negatives to doing this? I was also thinking of putting a rubber mat under the sump which will sit in the bottom of the stand. Any comments on that?

01/23/2013, 12:21 PM	#2
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	I don't think a mat is needed between the stand and the tank. The tank should sit flat on the stand and with the weight of the tank, water, sand, rock, etc; there should not be any vibration with the tank and stand. The only reason I can see using a mat is for water getting on the stand. __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

01/23/2013, 12:35 PM	#3
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	i always used a styrofoam between tank and stand. i got all my tanks custom made at glasscages and rim or rimless they recommend foam under the tank. lowes carry styrofoam sheets in insulation dept. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/23/2013, 09:48 PM	#4
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	A thin layer of foam under rimless tanks to prevent stress fractures from any debris that might be underneath. No padding under a framed tank. In either case, the tank should sit solidly and level on the stand. If there's any rocking fix the stand or the floor before doing anything else. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting

01/23/2013, 11:08 PM	#6
Ghstwolf Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 177	I you have a rimless tank then yes.. But I wouldn't use a piece of rubber.. Carpet foam, styrofoam would be ok as they have a bit cushion. But like others have said, if your tank rocks or has movement then fix that problem first. You can put the same carpet foam or like under your sump to help cut down on vibrations caused by your return pump and or skimmer pumps. Some people do some don't.. Personally I did and I'm happy with it.. __________________ USAF Retired! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon LPS/Softie mixed reef, Reef Octopus NWB150, 2xEcoTech Radions, Aqueon Proflex Model 4 sump, 75lbs of Dry Reef Saver/60lbs of Dry Sand...