Tank Padding
- Thread starter SWBeginer
- Start date
nly04
Active member
What type of tank do you have? I think if you have glass tank without bottom brace then you will need the styrofoam (home depot or lowe have them). If you have acrylic tank or glass tank with plastic brace on the bottom then you don't need it.
just my 2cent.
Dapg8gt
New member
It's high density building foam. It's at home depot there is 2 kinds you can use either the pink one or the white one more like Styrofoam with a silver coating on one side and white on the other. Both will do the job but like others said only if your tank needs it. If the whole bottom is glass without a frame then you can use it. I know guys with acrylic tanks that use it also fwiw.
Best bet is to see what your tank manufacturer has to say about it.
Best bet is to see what your tank manufacturer has to say about it.
zeroinverse
New member
Go with "silver" or put layer of aluminum foil for a nice reflective surface. You may get better growth from any reflected light off bottom surface. 
zeroinverse
New member
Frankly, at the angle most people are looking at the tank, it will probably be total internal reflection so you won't even see the "bottom" color.
crazzyreefer
New member
I used auto car carpeting, (Black)
neuro
the cat did it
i did a lot of searching on this topic for my rimless 60 gallon.
i went with the white high density foam at home depot. they come in 4'x2', and I cut it down to 2'x2' which fits perfectly for me.
there were many claiming that the pink high density foam ruined their tank. i highly doubt that. You should be fine with either.
i went with the white high density foam at home depot. they come in 4'x2', and I cut it down to 2'x2' which fits perfectly for me.
there were many claiming that the pink high density foam ruined their tank. i highly doubt that. You should be fine with either.
dublo8
New member
I did a lot of research on this subject just recently and talked with several manufacturers about this. 2 of them said the the insulation foam is insufficient. The problem with the high density foam and insulation material is that once it crushes, it doesn't return back to its normal state. I was told that a rubber/foam is a better option. For example a yoga mat or the anti fatigue material used in standing work areas. I'm using a foam underlayment that typically is installed under hardwood flooring. It's an 1/8th inch and I'm doubling it up for under my nano. Some of this material may seem "soft" to the touch, I can assure you when you spread the cubic inches of the bottom pain of glass across the surface it holds up pretty well, plus it has a much better vibration dampening ability than insulation material.
Dragonvale
New member
I'd check with the manufacture. I swear I read a thread and the owner found out if anything happened to the tank as far as the tanks integrity with the use of a pad it would void the tanks warranty. Again maybe I'm wrong but I swear I read that. I actually just did a google and found the thread.
"Tech support at Marineland finally got back to me as well. They say not to use pads or it will void the warranty."
"Tech support at Marineland finally got back to me as well. They say not to use pads or it will void the warranty."
dublo8
New member
Probably a rimmed tank. I agree check with the manufacturer before anything though.
