Rigid Foam

[Pufferpunk]

On Melev's Reef website, on the page about building a sump, he highly reccomends placing a sheet of rigid foam under the sump.

He says: "To avoid any pressure point contact that might lead to failure of the sump‘s seams, be sure to put a piece of rigid foam underneath the sump. A 4’x8’ piece of foam can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot for under $10, and is easily cut with a utility knife. Don’t skip this step, because this simple solution greatly reduces the risk of a leak."

I've sent him an email but not sure when I'll get a response & I'm leaving soon for Menard's.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

What is the question? If you are talking about regular construction foam HD and Menards carries it. It's sometimes pink or sometimes green about 1" or 1.5" thick.

 

[aiko670]

Foam insulation board, it's usually pink or blue and comes in 4x8 sheets and various thicknesses.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8472232#post8472232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aiko670
Foam insulation board, it's usually pink or blue and comes in 4x8 sheets and various thicknesses.

DOH!. It is blue not green. I am a idiot sometimes.

 

[jcm1229]

So, how many folks actually put foam under their sump?

 

[MrMexReefer]

yea... i heard about it, and told my dad about it (which he compltetely ignored for his now, unleveled tank). It supposedly compresses evenly when you add the water to the tank or sump on it. An even load of water on all the sides of the tank distributes the pressure evenly, therefore making any less side more prone to bust a leak. I heard to use a 1/8" thickness tho. I guess it depends on the size of the tank...?

 

[Steverino]

I used the foam under my main tank (on a wood stand), to make sure it is a level surface. The piece I used is softer foam and about 1/4" thick.

 

[aiko670]

From what I understand it's more important to use this with acrylic tanks and sumps than with glass.

 

[Hammercoral]

Yes, you can crack a glass tank with the foam, it works well for acrylic tanks because they have a flat bottom without perimeter edging.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Well, he said rigid foam, so I assume that's gotta be thicker than 1/4". The stuff I bought is 5/8". Just trying to do everything right.