alternative to polystyrene

[JaxsBr]

Im plannig a glass tank build.I want to start with the foundation which is obviously the polystyrene.
I live in South Africa.something are just hard to find here.

any alternative please.
also what are the reasons for the polystyrene?I know it protect the glas from small objects underneave the tank when filled.thats about what i know.
thanx.

 

[Noto]

The polystyrene's purpose is to spread the weight of the tank more evenly in case the stand surface is uneven. There have been several interesting discussions here on whether it actually helps with that. The consensus seems to be that polystyrene is not actually needed, and will not help in the case of an uneven stand, so just make sure the stand is even in the first place and you should be fine.

 

[Pharaoh]

Some just use standard styrofoam.

 

[apisto]

use one of those mats they use for camping. they are available in South Africa
http://www.ctrubber.co.za/products/other_matting.php

 

[JaxsBr]

use one of those mats they use for camping. they are available in South Africa
http://www.ctrubber.co.za/products/other_matting.php

is that made of the same stuff as yoga mats?
Would those child play cube things work.(like a puzzle tile thing.ha ha)

 

[apisto]

the stuff that is used for kid's puzzles is a bit hard but I think you can get yoga mats made from it. Camping gear tends to be cheaper though.

 

[cvermeulen]

Some just use standard styrofoam.

Stryofoam = Polystyrene

Without getting into the debate at great length, I'm a pretty firm believer in the styro padding underneath any kind of tank, but as was said above, it remains important to have an even stand surface.

 

[CJH]

Im plannig a glass tank build.I want to start with the foundation which is obviously the polystyrene.
I live in South Africa.something are just hard to find here.

Regular beaded styrofoam is called expanded polystyrene and will work but extruded polystyrene is probably better.

Polyisocyanurate insulation board should also work.

Also, being from South Africa I'm assuming whatever the surfboard blanks are made of should work fine. Probably more expensive than the insulation boards, however. I'm guessing South African boards are primarily polyurethane foam.

 

[Jodyc]

Hi,

I am Also from SA. Have a 430liter tank, the base is 25mm square tubing. I used that "foam tape". That works like a bomb and it is black, so looks like my stand.

P.S. Where you from in SA?