Pink foam under a 225g

[cbrguy]

I figure I'll ask this question here since I see that a lot of people use foam under their larger tanks.

I just put my tank on the stand and I noticed that there is a small gap between the tank and the foam (1" pink foam) on one of the corners that is about 1/8th of an inch.

When I put water in the tank will the foam condense down and remove this gap?

The tank is completely level on all sides, but the board must have had a slight bow that is causing the small gap.

Also, I am plumbing the closed loop, but I am curious if the tank will settle and put pressure on my plumbing.

 

[SuperTs]

Re: Pink foam under a 225g

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14881073#post14881073 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cbrguy
I figure I'll ask this question here since I see that a lot of people use foam under their larger tanks.

I just put my tank on the stand and I noticed that there is a small gap between the tank and the foam (1" pink foam) on one of the corners that is about 1/8th of an inch.

When I put water in the tank will the foam condense down and remove this gap?

The tank is completely level on all sides, but the board must have had a slight bow that is causing the small gap.

Also, I am plumbing the closed loop, but I am curious if the tank will settle and put pressure on my plumbing.

This would have to mean that your stand is not level, or flat. Have you tried a straight edge over the top surface of your stand? You may have a high spot somewhere. However, if your tank indeed sits level then I would either shim the corner or use some of the white 1" or 1.5" foam board HD sells. It is more sponge like than the pink stuff and will offer compression. The pink stuff will definately not compress the amount you would require and it may stress your tank.

 

[bchbum189]

agreed, that pink foam wont settle much at all.

1/8" gap is not a small gap at all, and you should really look into a permanent solution before you have a large mess 9 months down the road

 

[cbrguy]

Thanks guys I figured out my problem. I had one of my support posts pushing up on the plywood... I can't believe I didn't see that before I put the tank on...

 

[nanafish]

Reading this thread, might I ask WHY you would place pink foam board under the tank? I will be constructing an 180g tank and while I have been learning from my past tank's blunders and achievements- I would want to culminate all these into this tank.
Any help???

 

[bchbum189]

this only applies to acrylic;

Acrylic tanks weight is evenly distributed across the entire bottom of the tank, not just the perimeter like glass. Since wood is not perfect, you use the foam to alleviate any "minor" differences in height and pressure points.

Without the foam, something as simple as a knot in the wood could put an extreme amount of force on a small area.

 

[cbrguy]

I used the foam only because it was recommended by the builder. I don't believe that they use tempered glass for the bottom.