Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: LoveTheFishies on November 07, 2013, 09:08:27 PM

Title: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: LoveTheFishies on November 07, 2013, 09:08:27 PM
Where is a good place to get foam to put under an aquarium?  What type?  I'm having the frame and cabinet made which has a 72x24 foot print.  1st really big tank.  I go towards Detroit from time to time.  Like this weekend for a Wings game.  :)
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: danielratti on November 07, 2013, 09:17:19 PM
Homedepot. Just picked some up today for 6 bucks.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: PowerCerg One on November 07, 2013, 09:26:17 PM
You can use that pink insulation board stuff, but yes Home Depot or Lowe's.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: breaktime on November 07, 2013, 09:33:59 PM
Is foam something I should consider for my setup? How thick of foam is required for a 72x18 tank. I take it you just cut strips along the outer edge of the stand?
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: danielratti on November 07, 2013, 10:04:19 PM
its not required. It helps with leveling the tank on the stand and protecting the tank from any flaws on the stand... If the tank is level on the stand there really is no reason to put it under unless you just wanted the extra protection. you would still have to level the stand the tank sits on though.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: LoveTheFishies on November 07, 2013, 10:16:53 PM
With 195gal going in my livingroom, I want the extra protection.  The stand will be heavy duty and level,  but a couple extra bucks for foam is worth it to me. 

Thanks for the info.  I will post pix as it progresses.  Had the plumbing done today for a "bar sink" to sit underneath to drain and refill.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: PowerCerg One on November 07, 2013, 10:32:02 PM
Is foam something I should consider for my setup? How thick of foam is required for a 72x18 tank. I take it you just cut strips along the outer edge of the stand?

Usually you lay a sheet across the stand so that the whole thing is level. I suppose it's possible to cut strips, but I think it's better to have it be all one piece.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: danielratti on November 07, 2013, 10:40:48 PM
4 corners is supposedly all you need for a stand. Id play it safe thought. You can get a big sheet of foam and cut it to size.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: jcunningham0295 on November 07, 2013, 10:42:53 PM
I use 1/2" foam under all my tanks.  I get it at Lowe's, I use the sheets that are silver on one side and white on the other.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: breaktime on November 08, 2013, 12:29:20 AM
I dont know how level the floor is where I want to put the 125 gal tank. If it isnt level, can you shim the stand without causing any problems? I just think by shimming it the base, it's not sitting flat on the floor.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: LoveTheFishies on November 08, 2013, 10:34:51 AM
Will pick up foam this weekend. 

The floor is level, and the stand is level.  My brother is a carpenter/perfectionist, so he's checking everything along the way.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: LoveTheFishies on November 08, 2013, 10:38:32 AM
Here are a couple pix.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: greg y on November 08, 2013, 11:17:17 AM
Most tanks are designed to be "floating" in the frame, I would do some research before placing anything under that bottom glass, could be added stress
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: Ogre44 on November 08, 2013, 12:04:05 PM
I like the bar sink, nice touch there  ;)
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: linuxrulesusa on November 08, 2013, 12:24:26 PM
Most tanks are designed to be "floating" in the frame, I would do some research before placing anything under that bottom glass, could be added stress

Josh does it under a couple thousand gallons of tanks with (as far as I know) no issues, so that's enough research for me.  :)
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: LoveTheFishies on November 08, 2013, 12:24:52 PM
I like the bar sink, nice touch there  ;)

Thanks, I'll take pix and post the progress later.  The water and waste lines were really close, so the sink will come in handy.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: greg y on November 08, 2013, 02:37:29 PM
If the side glass sit on top of the bottom pane I think it's fine, if your tank has the sides go to the bottom and the center-bottom pane is sandwiched between them then I have read not to put anything under the glass, so I guess it depends on what manufacture your tank is from
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: greg y on November 08, 2013, 02:40:58 PM
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2037674
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: danielratti on November 08, 2013, 06:12:06 PM
I don't think I've ever seen a tank built that way...
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: PowerCerg One on November 08, 2013, 10:20:54 PM
That seems like you're just asking for the bottom to fall out.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: LoveTheFishies on November 08, 2013, 10:48:46 PM
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2037674

Reading that made my head hurt, lol.  Just looking to even out the pressure to be safe.  I've never used foam before, but it makes sense to me. 
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: LoveTheFishies on November 14, 2013, 07:31:16 PM
Aquarium in place.   Happy camper here.  8)
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: Steve on November 14, 2013, 09:26:29 PM
Lookin' good. Looks like a nice beefy stand as well.
Title: Re: Where to get foam to put under aquarium
Post by: LoveTheFishies on November 15, 2013, 09:48:48 AM
2x6 with maple cabinetry (being made by my brother).  Will post thread with pix showing progress.