Rimless Aquarium Club

[reefsahoy]

question to all you rimless tank owners. do you sit your tank directly on the flat surface of the stand or is the tank sitting on a "mat" or something inbetween you stand and tank? I was told that if the tank sits on the flat surface without the "Mat" the tank will definitely break in time, thus my question.
thanks

 

[GaryR1984]

Rimless tanks do require a mat or foam to soak up the tension of an unlevel stand. The mat will work as a buffer for any stress. Since standard tanks have rims, they work as the buffer. You will require some sort of buffer.

 

[reefsahoy]

what did you guys use for a mat? i'm using the tech stand by oceanic so i have no borders to hide the mat and looking for ideas.

thanks

 

[FiReBReTHa]

lowes insulation. pink stuff. under 90g 1/2 over. 3/4 . and all above that was said i +1 on.

 

[rainingshots]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15080001#post15080001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefsahoy
what did you guys use for a mat? i'm using the tech stand by oceanic so i have no borders to hide the mat and looking for ideas.

thanks

I have the same oceanic black stand. Don't use that ugly pink stuff, get this, looks 100x better and is much more durable.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BLACK-FOAM-24-I...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

 

[reefsahoy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15080540#post15080540 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rainingshots
I have the same oceanic black stand. Don't use that ugly pink stuff, get this, looks 100x better and is much more durable.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BLACK-FOAM-24-I...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

thanks, i just came back from kmart and saw that mat. i think i'll work just fine. it's 1/2 inch thick. i also saw one that's alittle less than 1/4 inch and black too. what do you guys thiink? i'm doing a rimless in all black. black stand, silicone, lights, light stand. so the mat has to be black.

 

[DPalm3]

how do people feel about zero edge aquariums?

 

[DPalm3]

how do people feel about zero edge aquariums?

 

[reefsahoy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15080767#post15080767 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DPalm3
how do people feel about zero edge aquariums?

i saw one at a lfs and it has to be one of the best setups i've ever seen. i do love the zero edge but the price is crazy. the other thing you will not get is shimmer lines because the top of the water is streaming down the sides of the aquarium and there is no waves on the top of the water, so if you do go zero edge go with t5's.

 

[GaryR1984]

No powerheads in the tank also, so you are stuck with less flow. Not my thing, but it looks cool.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

Expensive but cool, and not my style, thats what I think.

 

[Mchava]

well i figured I update my picture since mine has had many changes since I first posted. Here it is as of now.

 

[GaryR1984]

That's really nice.

 

[jbanks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15079805#post15079805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GaryR1984
Rimless tanks do require a mat or foam to soak up the tension of an unlevel stand. The mat will work as a buffer for any stress. Since standard tanks have rims, they work as the buffer. You will require some sort of buffer.

Hey Gary, is padding still required if you are dead-on level at your four corners?

 

[reefsahoy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15086312#post15086312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbanks
Hey Gary, is padding still required if you are dead-on level at your four corners?

the tank builder says you need it no matter what. he won't even build the tank if i don't put one down. he says that it's needed for expansion and contraction plus for any minor imperfections on the stand. this is what i'm going to use.


it's at kmart, and sports authority.

 

[GaryR1984]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15086312#post15086312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbanks
Hey Gary, is padding still required if you are dead-on level at your four corners?

Yes, It's purpose is to absorb any stress possible.

There are other cheaper yet effective ways to put down a mat to absorb the stress.

 

[GaryR1984]

I would personally go with something that appeals to my eye a bit more, I personally will be looking into the same material that wet suits are made out of. Forgot it off hand, but you can find them on eBay in sheets or rolls.

 

[FiReBReTHa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15089248#post15089248 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GaryR1984
I would personally go with something that appeals to my eye a bit more, I personally will be looking into the same material that wet suits are made out of. Forgot it off hand, but you can find them on eBay in sheets or rolls.

how thick is that???

if I were you I would start looking up this stuff a bit more because the stuff you are referencing does not give you that much compression abilities.

example is that 3/4 foam compresses into 1/4 inch.

 

[GaryR1984]

They make it into different thickness. I think the last one I was looking at was 1/2" thick.

It doesn't have to be super thick to relieve the stress depending on the quality and level of the tank/stand.

 

[FiReBReTHa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15090600#post15090600 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GaryR1984
They make it into different thickness. I think the last one I was looking at was 1/2" thick.

It doesn't have to be super thick to relieve the stress depending on the quality and level of the tank/stand.

true... I am a person of paranoia in that sense. I dont want to risk x,xxx$ so I tend to over do. lol