Foam under tank > 8ft

[Caragol]

I have a glass cages tank that they suggest (demand for warranty) have foam underneath. The catch is, I can only get foam in 8' sheets (I think). Do I just put two underneath and cut them short? Not much else I can do right? That's fine?

 

[leveldrummer]

Thats what I would do, you might be able to find some types of foam in a roll form, but I dont think those would be approved for supporting the tank.

If in doubt, email glass cages and see what they suggest.

 

[dave.m]

You can get higher density foam in smaller sheets, e.g. for foundations. It all depends on the size of your tank which way is least expensive. You really don't need more than 1/2" max thickness of high density foam under a tank and even less would be fine if your stand is level.

Dave.M

 

[albano]

If this is an GC acrylic tank I would suggest that you carefully inspect all 'joints/seams' for any air bubbles. My own GC 450g developed a tiny leak that 'popped' to a ~15" split in the bottom seam. I had to re-'weld' and add extra acrylic pieces to reseal the tank..it seems fine now, but I will be replacing it.

 

[Caragol]

It's glass and silicone. Looks like it's built like a tank, but won't see water for a while as I build everything out.

 

[GrampaDon]

The foam they recommend is the stiff pink or blue stuff at HD or Lows and
1/2in is OK to use. What length is your tank.? You could butt pieces together then use tape to help them stay as one unit.

 

[ca1ore]

The foam they recommend is the stiff pink or blue stuff at HD or Lows and
1/2in is OK to use. What length is your tank.? You could butt pieces together then use tape to help them stay as one unit.

That is exactly how I have done it in the past.

 

[Caragol]

8' and 1/4 inch. Juuuust enough that I need two sheets.

 

[albano]

8' and 1/4 inch. Juuuust enough that I need two sheets.

If all you're short is 1/4", I'd buy one 8' sheet and cut it in 1/2 and leave a 1/4" space in the middle

 

[ca1ore]

8' and 1/4 inch. Juuuust enough that I need two sheets.

The other thing you can do, and what I have done, is to buy a smaller piece, cut it into strips, and run those strips around the edge of the your stand where the rim of the tank will rest. Having a big sheet of foam underneath the bottom of your tank really serves no purpose other than to possibly provide a bit of insulation if you choose to put a chiller inside the stand (a practice I'd not recommend). The only downside of using the strips is you have to tape them down because they tend to shift when you are putting the tank onto the stand.

 

[albano]

The other thing you can do, and what I have done, is to buy a smaller piece, cut it into strips, and run those strips around the edge of the your stand where the rim of the tank will rest...

It sounds like you are referring to a glass tank that has a plastic trim...in which case, the use of foam is usually not suggested!

 

[ca1ore]

It sounds like you are referring to a glass tank that has a plastic trim...in which case, the use of foam is usually not suggested!

I have not bought a tank from Glass Cages, but it sounded like the tank the OP is buying from them is a standard framed glass tank and that GC requires a foam underlay to validate the warranty? Perhaps I misunderstood the OP?

FWIW, I have always put a layer of pink foam under rimmed tanks as well as I have never really bought into the arguments against.

 

[ca1ore]

I have a glass cages tank that they suggest (demand for warranty) have foam underneath.

BTW, it appears that while GC do require a 3/4" foam layer underneath their rimmed glass tanks, you cannot use strips as I had suggested. Their warranty specifies that the foam must run fully front to back and side to side. Also, appears the warranty is void if you use a DIY stand.

 

[albano]

Quite frankly, I think there is little chance of them paying for any warranty problem, without 'proof' of a manufacturing defect... Once you accept it, it's yours!