What should I put between tank and stand?

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jschall

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 9, 2009
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Chico, California
I'm building a stand for a glass tank, and I'm wondering if I should put anything underneath the tank. The surface isn't completely smooth, the tank will be sitting on a frame made of 2x4 and part of it will be on top of the plywood paneling (which is 1/4" plywood on the front and two sheets of 1/4" plywood on the sides because I built the frame too small :nilly:)

Should I lay out some 1/4" plywood on top? Maybe just some 1/4" styrofoam? 1/8" steel? 1/16" steel on top of 1/4" styrofoam?

The trim around the top of the stand is designed to cover the bottom frame of the aquarium so whatever it is, it needs to be less than 1/4".
 
i have a 75 glass tank and it just sits directly on a cherry stand with no problems. I dont see see any reason to put anything under it if you dont want to. this may be something that would vary depending on the size of tank, idk about that.
 
I'm not sure I have a perfect picture in my mind after reading your above description... so a pic will help...

But still, if you are doubtful of the "flatness" of the stand, takign steps of precaution makes sense...

I built a stand and knew it was a bit off. I forgot to put anything beneath the tank and I cracked the front panel of a 75 gal tank when I filled it up... I placed an 1/8" styrofoam, 1/4" ply, 1/8" styrofoam 'sandwhich' on the stand and replaced the 75 gal tank. This worked just fine...

If you want no more than 1/4" thickness beneath teh tank, I would use 1/4" thick styrofoam...


Just to mention, in general I am not an advocate of placing styrofoam beneath a tank, but there are circumstances in which I do suggest it. If your tank stand is flat, thee is no 'need', but if it is not flat, it should be used... if you aer not sure if it's flat or not, better safe than sorry....
 
I put closed-cell foam mat between my tank and stand. I use 1/2" on my 75Gs and two stacked (1" total) for the larger tanks. Helps reduce pressure points (e.g., nail head) and redistributes the twisting force if your stand is uneven (i.e., diagonal level) or the stand or floor sags unevenly over time. Same principle as a mattress. However if you sleep on a hard floor, you probably won't be convinced of the benefit...lol.

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nc_nutcase;3948452; said:
I'm not sure I have a perfect picture in my mind after reading your above description... so a pic will help...

But still, if you are doubtful of the "flatness" of the stand, takign steps of precaution makes sense...

I built a stand and knew it was a bit off. I forgot to put anything beneath the tank and I cracked the front panel of a 75 gal tank when I filled it up... I placed an 1/8" styrofoam, 1/4" ply, 1/8" styrofoam 'sandwhich' on the stand and replaced the 75 gal tank. This worked just fine...

If you want no more than 1/4" thickness beneath teh tank, I would use 1/4" thick styrofoam...


Just to mention, in general I am not an advocate of placing styrofoam beneath a tank, but there are circumstances in which I do suggest it. If your tank stand is flat, thee is no 'need', but if it is not flat, it should be used... if you aer not sure if it's flat or not, better safe than sorry....
I'll take a picture when I have all the top trim on.
 
I nailed a sheet of 3/4" plywood over the top of my stand, and stained it to match.
Then I purchased a couple of closed-cell foam excercise mat/sleeping bag pads.
I cut one to fit inside the frame edges, so the glass bottom would be supported, then put the tank, with the trimmed mat, on top of the other mat, on top of the plywood.

In this way, the entire floor of the tank, plus the frame edge, is supported on a foam cushion.
 
it also can depend on who manufactured your tank as the bottoms can be different.

for example, Aqueon (aka Allglass) tanks have a 'floating bottom' design, where the bottom glass is floating on the braced trim on the bottom.

for their tanks, they specifically do NOT recommend the use of foam or wood in between the stand and their tanks. their tanks are designed to sit directly on the stand.

however, if you have a glasscages tank, for example, they do not have this type of bottom and recommend using styrofoam for their tanks. the bottom glass on their tanks does contact the stand directly, hence their recommendation of the use of foam. in fact, it is part of their warranty - you have to use it otherwise your warranty is void.

my 150g is an Aqueon with the floating bottom design, so it sits directly on my steel tube stand for example.

hope this might help.
 
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