To Styro or Not to Styro?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

What do you this of using styro on GLASS tanks?

  • I refuse to use foam on my tanks

    Votes: 29 18.4%

  • I might use foam in certain instances, but generally no.

    Votes: 59 37.3%

  • I have heard that foam might be good, so I would lean towards yes.

    Votes: 30 19.0%

  • Foam actually makes a difference. I use it every time.

    Votes: 40 25.3%
  • Total voters
    158
Pharaoh;2309683; said:
What I am getting at is still being missed. The amount of pressure exerted at the specific points varies. But you also have to look at the properties of the foam in itself. The foam will have a certain compression point. Once that foam compresses, you have support. But when certain points of the tank are higher, there will be less compression. Less compression does not equal support. It may serve to fill in a gap or two, btu I do not believe that there is any "extra" support given.

BTW, let's keep the finger pointing to a minimum here. I opened this to be a discussion. I do not claim to be right, nor do I claim to understand the situation. Hence, why I asked for discussion and factual data. Opinions are better left to the poll itself. If you would like to prove your point. Please show us a demonstration other than saying P=F/A. Not everyone here is a physics major, but I'm sure we would all like to see supportive information in this argument.
Click to expand...

But when certain points of the tank are higher, there will be less compression. Less compression does not equal support. It may serve to fill in a gap or two, btu I do not believe that there is any "extra" support given.

Your missing the point here. There will be less compression over these areas, because the pressure is being balanced out.


I am pointing the finger because you keep writing this rubbish all over the thread, understand how annoying that would be to a person who has spent their life dealing with subsidence, structures and pressure!

There is evidence of this, but since your not a structural engineer i'm not going to refer you to scientific papers to read on it. Also do you really want to pay £100 subscription so you can access them?

Those pictures you have posted are laughable and incorrect also. I didn't say styro could help if bowing occured. I told you it can only deal with pressure from imperfections in the glass, little pieces of grit and such like, not when the tank is running off at an angle - of course not! What are you basing your knowledge on, at least I have a C.V. of it.

The pebble photo is the only one that is correct.
 
Pharaoh;2309929; said:
In this picture, you can see that the lengthwise board was positioned below that of the widthwise boards. This will create an uneven support across the front of the tank. The main force of the tank will be supported by the corners in which the foam will compress under the load of the tank. Yes, there will be compression on the lengthwise portion of the tank/foam, but the compression will not be as much because the force will not be as high. This is due to the corners holding more of the load. The faom in the center will not compress as much because the load on the foam in this area is not as high. Just because the foam in the center has not compressed as much as the sides does not prove that the tank is truly more supported than before. You might be looking at a tiny bit more support due to the foam's resistance to compression, but not much.

I also just thought of one more pic to draw. I will post it shortly.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I believe I had just said this.

steverothery;2310494; said:
But when certain points of the tank are higher, there will be less compression. Less compression does not equal support. It may serve to fill in a gap or two, btu I do not believe that there is any "extra" support given.

Your missing the point here. There will be less compression over these areas, because the pressure is being balanced out.


I am pointing the finger because you keep writing this rubbish all over the thread, understand how annoying that would be to a person who has spent their life dealing with subsidence, structures and pressure!

There is evidence of this, but since your not a structural engineer i'm not going to refer you to scientific papers to read on it. Also do you really want to pay £100 subscription so you can access them?

Those pictures you have posted are laughable and incorrect also. I didn't say styro could help if bowing occured. I told you it can only deal with pressure from imperfections in the glass, little pieces of grit and such like, not when the tank is running off at an angle - of course not! What are you basing your knowledge on, at least I have a C.V. of it.

The pebble photo is the only one that is correct.
Click to expand...

I agree that the pebble one would be the only one that would make any benefit at all. That is why I said so.

Do not feel as though any remarks are geared towards anyone. I am doing my best to keep this thread focused, but you seem so determinied to prove wrong someone that never claimed to be a physics major or a structural engineer. Perhaps you might take a little time and point out what is is exactly that you do not agree with and explain why. After all, that was the purpose of this thread. I started this thread so that we could have a better understanding of the usefulness of foam and whether it is actually capable of performing the functions that some claim it does. This is for everyone to learn from, including myself.
 
Your poll options are dumb. There should be a "I don't use styrofoam" option.
 
I would say that the first two cover it well enough.
 
Paraoh, I've followed your thread and have enjoyed your wonderful drawings. As an engineer myself, the logic behind your posts seems right in line with my understanding of the use of styrofoam and I feel you've done a great job at gathering additional information on the subject. I do not follow the logic behind Steve's posts and am not convinced just because he is an engineer.

This is not to point fingers or challenge anyone, it's just a little note from someone also educated on the topic...
 
could you validate the idea that foam, if pressed between glass that is supposed to be "floating' and the stand can lead to a cracked bottom? as I mentioned in my earlier post. I have seen that stated many times - that foam is not recommended for today's modern braced tanks with a 'floating' bottom where the glass is not in direct contact with anything since only the plastic brace/trim are in contact with the stand. it is recommended with acrylic tanks where the whole bottom must be supported..

just want to sort through what is fact and what is a common myth..

thanks..
 
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