if your tank is glass and has a 'floating bottom' where the bottom panel is floating on a braced frame, it is not recommended that you use foam.
in fact, it will void the warranty in some cases (like Marineland tanks, for example). it can lead to a cracked bottom according to the manufacturers.
now, some hobbyists will ignore this and use foam anyway. many have had no issues. some have had problems.
problem is, when a tank fails its difficult to pinpoint the exact cause with certainty. all we are doing is guessing.
if your tank has a glass bottom that is not floating, apparently foam is recommended. same for acrylic tanks.
for my 150g (Aqueon) that has a floating bottom I do not use anything. it rests directly on my metal stand.
there is a thread on here somewhere that has a million pages on the debate between foam vs. no foam.
do what makes you comfortable, but if you can, its best to check and see what the tank manufacturer recommends.
the only thing with the use of foam is that there is misinformation spread all over that it will 'level' your tank.
it does not.
if your stand is unlevel the foam will be more compressed in some areas and less so in others. doing nothing to level the tank out.
it will however, provide cushion against any 'pressure points' that you may have on your stand. however, with 99.9% of stands, there are none. its only if you happen to have a screw sticking up or something like that.
in fact, it will void the warranty in some cases (like Marineland tanks, for example). it can lead to a cracked bottom according to the manufacturers.
now, some hobbyists will ignore this and use foam anyway. many have had no issues. some have had problems.
problem is, when a tank fails its difficult to pinpoint the exact cause with certainty. all we are doing is guessing.
if your tank has a glass bottom that is not floating, apparently foam is recommended. same for acrylic tanks.
for my 150g (Aqueon) that has a floating bottom I do not use anything. it rests directly on my metal stand.
there is a thread on here somewhere that has a million pages on the debate between foam vs. no foam.
do what makes you comfortable, but if you can, its best to check and see what the tank manufacturer recommends.
the only thing with the use of foam is that there is misinformation spread all over that it will 'level' your tank.
it does not.
if your stand is unlevel the foam will be more compressed in some areas and less so in others. doing nothing to level the tank out.
it will however, provide cushion against any 'pressure points' that you may have on your stand. however, with 99.9% of stands, there are none. its only if you happen to have a screw sticking up or something like that.
