Foam board underneath glass tank?

[xxxbadfishxxx]

So i heard its not good to have small gaps inbetween tank rim and stand as it could cause cracks. I also heard that foam board could cause a tank to crack because the glass is not supposed to take any weight.

well, i just built a stand for my tank and it looks great, problem is, that there are some areas that have a gap between tank rim and stand, at most its the width of a dime and i wonder if everything would settle once filled with water, but i feel as if i should fix it somehow. The only thing i can think of is to take the top railing off and place small shims between 2x4 and to rail, you think that would be okay? Does it have to be perfect

One of the bigger gaps

Stand

Tank on stand

 

[respite]

While I've never heard of a foam layer to actually cause an aquarium to fail, I do know a lot of the manufacturers require a foam layer between the glass tank and stand else the warranty is voided. In theory, the foam should only fill in the gaps and imperfections. I don't see how a 1/2" thick sheet of insulation styrofoam would cause any stress on the aquarium.

That said, I personally wouldn't worry about a gap the size of a dime, but your best bet is to ask an engineer or contact the manufacture.

 

[mushroomhead]

While it's never going to be perfect, it looks like you have a bit more of a gap than I would be comfortable with. If that"s a 6' long tank, that's a lot of weight on the corners. If you can take off the top piece by just removing screws, I would shim it. I had a similar problem, but ran the pieces thru a planer to take out the warp. I wouldn"t put foam under a glass tank. Let the frame support the glass.

 

[James77]

I wouldnt put foam under that tank, it is supported by its edges.
I would do any of the following.
-shim it beneath the edge and 2x4, as you said
-plane or sand down the edges of the stand- it doesn't look like it would need alot
-shim under the edge of the tank itself

 

[REEFRHEAD]

ive got a question for you guys would you put a sheet of styrofoam under a 40 gallon tank that is beign used under a 220 gallon as a sump? as i will be placing the tank on pieces of wood on top of the unside edges of the stand. thanks sry to highjack your thread badfish but i have the same question

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

yeah, i think its going to be a combination of taking off the top rail and placing small shims inbetween top 2x4 and the rail. And sanding the corners. Tank is 48"x24"x24". Thanks for your help.

 

[reverendmaynard]

My vote is for shimming under the top rail.

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

think thats what i am going to do, let you guys know how it turns out.

 

[ReefTECK]

beautiful stand!