What Insulation to use under acrylic tank

[Jen0221]

My stand is built for my 260 gal 96x24x26 tall acrylic tank. I have seen many ppl say you need to add a piece of insulation (like you put on the outside of a house)under the tank to fill any voids. Is this correct? Or can I set tank right on ply wood top? If I do need to add a piece of insulation under the tank which type is best? I have seen the big box stores have 1/2" green sheets. Is that the type to use?

 

[SPotter]

I didnt use any foam under my acrylic tank. Per manufacturer I put down 2 x 3/4" pieces of plywood.

 

[Ztrain]

I used LVL or Laminated Veneer Lumber. It can be found at most lumber yards. If it can support a house it can probably support my tank on top of a stand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ-v1TeMf_U&list=UUv4QIoWdcjzCN1Kd9crdByg

 

[hypnoj]

the foam that they use to pad flooring in children's play area's work well. You can get these squares at Lowe's/Home Depot.

 

[Remmers]

I have used the foam board insulation in the past, it was more for leveling/helping keep the bottom warm.

With acrylic, you need to support the whole bottom not just the corners like glass tanks.

Hope this helps

 

[johnike]

I have a piece of plywood with a piece of foamboard on top of it.

 

[Steveb]

I didnt use any foam under my acrylic tank. Per manufacturer I put down 2 x 3/4" pieces of plywood.

ditto

 

[Timfish]

Plywood like SPotter said

 

[Jen0221]

I have a piece of 1/2" ply wood on top of the stand. It also has two braces evenly spaced so it's got good support. I just didn't know if I needed anything between tank and plywood

 

[Remmers]

I have a piece of 1/2" ply wood on top of the stand. It also has two braces evenly spaced so it's got good support. I just didn't know if I needed anything between tank and plywood

Is the tank sitting on top of the braces or directly on the plywood?

You want the tank to be sitting on the plywood directly, as acrylic needs support around the whole foot print. If you have it sitting on the braces, it will crack over time.

 

[Jen0221]

It is on a 1/2" sheet of plywood

 

[Remmers]

It is on a 1/2" sheet of plywood

Your good then, just make sure the tank is on a flat surface all the way around either with the foam on top of the plywood or just the plywood.

Good Luck

Rich

 

[DasCamel]

Had a carpenter use a nice flat piece of plywood. When sanded and sealed it was as close to perfect as you can get. I wouldn't place anything underneath unless needed, can make it worse if it doesn't compress evenly.

 

[mathman7728]

i did a 1/4 inch rubber mat (similar to yoga mat) that i get from Wilcom (kinda like a seed & feed store in the Pacific Northwest)...that adivce came from the custom tank maufacture i used for my 180gal

 

[azjohnny]

I used 3/4" plywood with 3/4" white foam material you can find at Home Depot in the insulation dept

http://www.homedepot.com/p/R-Tech-3...ation-Sheathing-310873/202530470?N=5yc1vZbaxx