Foam under an acrylic tank?

MargieInAZ · 05/09/2009, 11:53 PM

I have a 75 gallon acrylic tank that I have sitting directly on its wooden stand.
I just read a thread about an acrylic tank breaking a seam. They had installed it on a sheet of foam, and several posters said that the foam should have helped ease stress on the seams.

Do most people use foam under acrylic tanks? I know you're supposed to for glass, but I was under the impression that it wasn't necessary under acrylic tanks.

I think it's too late to do anything about my current tank because it would require completely tearing it down, but I'm planning on upgrading soon to a larger tank, probably 6-8 feet long between 125-250 gallons.

Should I put a sheet of foam under it? And if so, what foam do I use? Where's the best place to get it? I'm assuming it should be all one piece, not pieced together.

Thanks for any recommendations on this.

billdogg · 05/10/2009, 06:06 AM

you actually have it backwards. if it is a framed glass tank (not rimless), foam will do nothing good for you. if it is rimless or acrylic, then a THIN (1/4") layer of Styrofoam will help to avoid pressure points underneath that could cause failure of a seam or crack the bottom if the stand is not perfectly flat and even.

noahm · 05/10/2009, 09:03 AM

+1 ^

Thin is the key if you go foam. I just went with a nice clean sheet of 3/4 ply and made sure it had no deformities.

MargieInAZ · 05/10/2009, 12:19 PM

Thanks! So just a 1/4" sheet of styrofoam, then?
Is that available at Home Depot?
I saw in another foam someone mentioning pink or blue foam from HD. Is that the same thing? I think they said it was 1" thick, though.

billdogg · 05/10/2009, 01:37 PM

yup available at any big box hardware store - get the thinnest sheet they have. too bad it only comes in 4'x8' sheets!

MargieInAZ · 05/10/2009, 03:38 PM

Does anyone know if something like this work?
http://www.greatmats.com/products/dense-foam-mats.php
or
http://www.ohwuala.com/tho/tr/produc...T-1090625.html

It seems like that would be easier to clean and less mess than styrofoam.

MargieInAZ · 05/10/2009, 09:14 PM

Bump.
Has anyone tried this black rubber type of foam before? It seems like it would work well to me. Can anyone think of any drawbacks?

Thanks!

MargieInAZ · 05/11/2009, 09:19 AM

bump

05/09/2009, 11:53 PM	#1
MargieInAZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 348	Foam under an acrylic tank? I have a 75 gallon acrylic tank that I have sitting directly on its wooden stand. I just read a thread about an acrylic tank breaking a seam. They had installed it on a sheet of foam, and several posters said that the foam should have helped ease stress on the seams. Do most people use foam under acrylic tanks? I know you're supposed to for glass, but I was under the impression that it wasn't necessary under acrylic tanks. I think it's too late to do anything about my current tank because it would require completely tearing it down, but I'm planning on upgrading soon to a larger tank, probably 6-8 feet long between 125-250 gallons. Should I put a sheet of foam under it? And if so, what foam do I use? Where's the best place to get it? I'm assuming it should be all one piece, not pieced together. Thanks for any recommendations on this. __________________ Mom to triplet girls! Yes, multiples run in my family. They run everywhere, actually. :) Current Tank Info: Building a 24" cube mixed reef

05/10/2009, 06:06 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	you actually have it backwards. if it is a framed glass tank (not rimless), foam will do nothing good for you. if it is rimless or acrylic, then a THIN (1/4") layer of Styrofoam will help to avoid pressure points underneath that could cause failure of a seam or crack the bottom if the stand is not perfectly flat and even. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

05/10/2009, 12:19 PM	#4
MargieInAZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 348	Thanks! So just a 1/4" sheet of styrofoam, then? Is that available at Home Depot? I saw in another foam someone mentioning pink or blue foam from HD. Is that the same thing? I think they said it was 1" thick, though. __________________ Mom to triplet girls! Yes, multiples run in my family. They run everywhere, actually. :) Current Tank Info: Building a 24" cube mixed reef

05/10/2009, 01:37 PM	#5
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	yup available at any big box hardware store - get the thinnest sheet they have. too bad it only comes in 4'x8' sheets! __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

05/10/2009, 03:38 PM	#6
MargieInAZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 348	Does anyone know if something like this work? http://www.greatmats.com/products/dense-foam-mats.php or http://www.ohwuala.com/tho/tr/produc...T-1090625.html It seems like that would be easier to clean and less mess than styrofoam. __________________ Mom to triplet girls! Yes, multiples run in my family. They run everywhere, actually. :) Current Tank Info: Building a 24" cube mixed reef

05/10/2009, 09:03 AM	#3
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	+1 ^ Thin is the key if you go foam. I just went with a nice clean sheet of 3/4 ply and made sure it had no deformities.

05/10/2009, 09:14 PM	#7
MargieInAZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 348	Bump. Has anyone tried this black rubber type of foam before? It seems like it would work well to me. Can anyone think of any drawbacks? Thanks! __________________ Mom to triplet girls! Yes, multiples run in my family. They run everywhere, actually. :) Current Tank Info: Building a 24" cube mixed reef

05/11/2009, 09:19 AM	#8
MargieInAZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 348	bump __________________ Mom to triplet girls! Yes, multiples run in my family. They run everywhere, actually. :) Current Tank Info: Building a 24" cube mixed reef