To use or not to use - acrylic on bottom of tank

mikeoif08 · 01/04/2014, 05:36 PM

Need some input for my new 40B build. I usually don't put anything on the bottom of glass tanks, but I have a piece of acrylic laying around. I don't like the egg crate look so that's why I never used that.

Should I use it on the bottom for protection against a rock fall? Should I silicone the edges to the glass?

Thank you in advance for any input.

Lateralus · 01/04/2014, 06:19 PM

I don't think it would hurt anything. Some people use cutting board aswell.

edmondspl · 01/04/2014, 06:53 PM

shouldn't be a problem unless stuff gets trapped between glass and acrylic

albano · 01/04/2014, 07:15 PM

Will there be sand?
Rocks should be secure so they won't fall, and nothing can dig under them to cause them to topple

ca1ore · 01/04/2014, 07:34 PM

I always use a piece of acrylic flat on the bottom of my tank to prevent potential glass damage from point loading of the rocks. Figure at worst it does nothing.

mikeoif08 · 01/05/2014, 05:09 AM

Ya I was thinking it wouldn't hurt. I do use sand, but just a small amount for the looks. I'll go pick up some silicone from petsmart to help keep anything from getting underneath it.

Thanks for the input everyone!

Mazzy · 01/05/2014, 05:35 AM

Yeah, I'd just make sure you silicone every inch around it so that no water/debris can get under it. Honestly though I think it's extra work for no pay off. If rock falls, it's not the 'touch' against the glass that cracks the glass, it's the force with which the rock hits so you'd basically have to put something between the acrylic piece and the glass to absorb that impact (like how our phone cases work) to be any help for prevention purposes.

albano · 01/05/2014, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mazzy

... If rock falls, it's not the 'touch' against the glass that cracks the glass, it's the force with which the rock hits....

?????

Mazzy · 01/05/2014, 09:38 AM

I only meant that if there's not some level of "absorbtion" provided by the acrylic (which I don't believe acrylic has that property) then it's not actually giving any protection at all so it's little to no pay off for the work (no matter how minimal that might be).

01/04/2014, 05:36 PM	#1
mikeoif08 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 138	To use or not to use - acrylic on bottom of tank Need some input for my new 40B build. I usually don't put anything on the bottom of glass tanks, but I have a piece of acrylic laying around. I don't like the egg crate look so that's why I never used that. Should I use it on the bottom for protection against a rock fall? Should I silicone the edges to the glass? Thank you in advance for any input.

01/04/2014, 06:19 PM	#2
Lateralus Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: St. Charles mo. Posts: 756	I don't think it would hurt anything. Some people use cutting board aswell. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef/ 40 gal sump. Born on 5/30/13.

01/04/2014, 07:15 PM	#4
albano SALTWATER since '73 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Katonah, NY/ San Fernando Ca./ Sea Isle City NJ Posts: 6,210	Will there be sand? Rocks should be secure so they won't fall, and nothing can dig under them to cause them to topple __________________ ______________________________________ Jan. '11 TOTM Manhattan Reefs Current Tank Info: 500g & 200g acrylic DTs/2 separate reef systems

01/04/2014, 07:34 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I always use a piece of acrylic flat on the bottom of my tank to prevent potential glass damage from point loading of the rocks. Figure at worst it does nothing. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

01/04/2014, 06:53 PM	#3
edmondspl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 63	shouldn't be a problem unless stuff gets trapped between glass and acrylic

01/05/2014, 05:09 AM	#6
mikeoif08 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 138	Ya I was thinking it wouldn't hurt. I do use sand, but just a small amount for the looks. I'll go pick up some silicone from petsmart to help keep anything from getting underneath it. Thanks for the input everyone!

01/05/2014, 05:35 AM	#7
Mazzy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan! GO BLUE!! Posts: 172	Yeah, I'd just make sure you silicone every inch around it so that no water/debris can get under it. Honestly though I think it's extra work for no pay off. If rock falls, it's not the 'touch' against the glass that cracks the glass, it's the force with which the rock hits so you'd basically have to put something between the acrylic piece and the glass to absorb that impact (like how our phone cases work) to be any help for prevention purposes.

01/05/2014, 09:38 AM	#9
Mazzy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan! GO BLUE!! Posts: 172	I only meant that if there's not some level of "absorbtion" provided by the acrylic (which I don't believe acrylic has that property) then it's not actually giving any protection at all so it's little to no pay off for the work (no matter how minimal that might be).