Glass Cages Acrylic Tank Question...

[SRT80]

Awhile back I bought a 65 gal. acrylic glass cages tank on here. I originally bought it for a snake. I haven't used it yet. I've got a wood stand for it too.

I am fixing to take my brothers 80 gal. bowfront tank down to move to his house. I was gonna put most of the live rock and fish and corals in this tank and just run a HOB filter for probably a week. That gives him time to paint his stand and canopy.

My question is, is there a weight limit of how much rock for a acrylic tank? We probably have 80-90lbs of rock. Also, I thought awhile back I read on the GC tank you have to put a piece of styrofoam between the stand and bottom of tank?

Any info would be appreciated,
Steve

 

[james3370]

i don't think there is a weight limit per say, but if the bottom isn't elevated so that only the sides come into contact w/ the stand (which is how most acrylic tanks are made), then you must put styrofoam under it. otherwise you will create pressure points from the uneven stand surface that will stress the tank to failure

 

[SRT80]

How thick should the styrofoam be? And where would be the best place to find a 48"x18" piece?

Thanks again,
Steve

 

[sandalscout]

Steve, you can get 1/2" blue or pink foam from Lowes or Home Depot for less than $10 a sheet that is 2' x 8'. 1/2" thick should be plenty for you.

 

[NeveSSL]

With acrylic tanks, my understanding is that they always need foam underneath as well as a constant support (IE, plywood with foam on top). Glass cages recommends the same for their glass tanks because the glass isn't tempered.

Brandon

 

[SRT80]

my stand is not a solid top. It has a brace in the center. Do I need to get a piece of plywood to make it a solid top and then put the foam over that? Or just a piece of styrofoam?

Steve

 

[NeveSSL]

Just a piece of styrofoam over air isn't going to do anything I'm fairly sure.

Call them and ask. They would definitely know better than any of us!

Brandon

 

[SRT80]

the tank sits on a frame, so puttin' a piece of styrofoam over it, will let the tank edges sit on foam. Shouldnt be any difference if its solid or not. I don't know?

Steve

 

[NeveSSL]

The acrylic will bow. Its not like glass. So therefore just supporting the edges won't work unless its SUPER thick acrylic. That's the reason it needs a solid surface underneath the foam I'm fairly certain.

Brandon

 

[james3370]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15244154#post15244154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NeveSSL
The acrylic will bow. Its not like glass. So therefore just supporting the edges won't work unless its SUPER thick acrylic. That's the reason it needs a solid surface underneath the foam I'm fairly certain.

Brandon

ding ding ding....the solid wood is for support of the entire bottom & the foam is to absorb any highspots in the wood that would cause pressure points

 

[SRT80]

ok, I got it. Thanks for the info.

Steve