Foam Beneath Tank on Stand?

[Yellow Jacket]

Hey,

First post for Yellow Jacket.

I'm from Beaufort, SC, and am in the first steps of setting up a 260 gallon tank.

Thanks to FSM for the direction here from the Planted Tank forum. I've been reading a ton over the last few weeks and have my first question.

I've finished the DIY stand for my tank, and have seen where many of you put a layer of foam insulation between the tank and the stand.

Can someone share what that is for, and why would I need one?

I built the stand from 2x lumber per an awesome diagram from this site, and will be topping it with 1/2" plywood before setting the tank. Hoping to move the tank to the stand this week. It was a damn ton.

Thanks!

YJ

 

[greenterra]

First , welcome to mfk. I always use it for a couple of reasons.
1st is for insulation.
2nd is it will absorb any small irregularities in the stand and keep an evenly spread pressure between the tank and stand.
You don't definitely need it but you are better off to have it. Another safe guard.

 

[The1and only]

If you look around there is a debate, that last time i posted in it was like 30 pages long, that explains in great detail when and for what type of tanks to use foam on. Also it has which type of foams to use.

 

[mad ness]

around this region, foam is used religiously as most tanks are made to spec versus off an assembly line. main reason for the foam is to act as a buffer between the stand and the tank which will not match 100%.

 

[Pharaoh]

If you look around there is a debate, that last time i posted in it was like 30 pages long, that explains in great detail when and for what type of tanks to use foam on. Also it has which type of foams to use.

Here is one of them.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179982

Whether or not foam is needed depends on the type of tank that you have. If you have an acrylic tank, then you would need the foam to ensure that there is no point pressure on the bottom of the tank. Foam is not really needed on glass tanks, especially if they have trim. The glass tanks without bracing do not need foam, but it wouldn't hurt if you had it. I do not use foam on any of my tanks, acrylic or otherwise. I just make sure the surface is flat and clean before setting up the tank.

 

[12 Volt Man]

I was involved in that debate, and part of the confusion lies in the different styles of glass tanks.

some have the bottom glass making direct contact with the stand. for these tanks, foam is sometimes recommended but not required. foam is recommended for acrylic tanks though. I had many tanks like this old style glass tanks with no foam for many years.

some tanks have what is called 'floating bottoms' ie they have braces/trim underneath the tank so the trim is what makes direct contact with the stand, and the glass is "floating". I have included bottom pics from my Aqueon 150 gallon tank to illustrate this. it sits directly on my stand.

the major stock manufacturers (Aqueon/Oceanic and Marineland) specifically do NOT recommend using foam in between tanks made like this. they are designed to sit directly on the stand. they say it can lead to a cracked bottom panel -a link to an email from a rep from Aqueon is included in that debate.. I'll see if I can find the link..

now, many chose not to take this advice and do it anyway. I did not.

in fact, I have never used foam. 20 years so far, with never even a tank leak. <touches wood and runs down to check tank> LOL

but you'll get back and fourth opinions on this..thats all we can really say.

 

[rallysman]

I use it on acrylic, but not on my glass tanks with the floating bottoms as previously mentioned. Level and flat are 2 different things. If you're using acrylic and are doubting that your stand is both level and flat (even by the smallest amount) using foam will not hurt.

With that said, the best thing to do is build the stand within precise tolerances, or buy one that is built very well.

 

[Yellow Jacket]

I really appreciate the replies, and thank you for the welcome.

My tank is glass - 7'x2'x30" with no braces at the bottom.

It has a plastic frame at the top and bottom. I bought it used off of CL.

I've built the stand myself and have not screwed the top members yet to try and get as level as possible first, fasten next, and then attach the plywood top and sides for lateral bracing.

I bought a new camera to take some good pics and document my progress.

This is my first tank since a 55g I had in high school, and I have taken a big leap here.

My next job will be to get it inside as I have a science fair growing in it right now, then to clean and reseal...that will be my next post.

If I can get it sufficiently level, I'll do without the foam as I want a small perimeter of wood showing around the tank base.

I promise pics and progress, and thank you again.

YJ

 

[Pharaoh]

Rallysman hit the nail on the head. Just make sure the stand is level and flat and no foam will be needed. I wouldn't recommend the foam on the tank anyway considering that it has the plastic trim.

 

[siebertn]

As stated there has been many debates about this topic but i have used it for many years and im sure ill be using it for many more. I don't know if it really makes a difference but that is just the way i started my fish keeping career.