how much styrofoam?

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by k9BOLX, Jul 23, 2007.

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  1. k9BOLX

    k9BOLX Spaghetti Worm

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    I have eventually recieved my new tank from Aquariums for You (it only took 6 months). I am currious how much styrofoam to place under the tank. Is the standard 1/4 enough for 240 gallon tank or shoudl I use 1/2 or 3/4?
    thanks for all your help.
     
    k9BOLX, Jul 23, 2007
    k9BOLX, Jul 23, 2007
    #1

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  2. omard

    omard Gnarly Old Codfish

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    Am curious. Why styrofoam? ---

    Going to compress to a flat piece of plastic anyway.

    I used that rubber floor matting stuff myself...type with lines and groves to make sure any water dripping from plumbing or spill from tank does not get to wood under.
     
    omard, Jul 23, 2007
    omard, Jul 23, 2007
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  3. sharkatak

    sharkatak Flamingo Tongue

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    The styro will only compress slightly as the weight is distributed evenly over the whole area.I recently took a 7x3x2 ft. apart to change the stand and the foam was only compressed about 10% after 3 years.That's well over a ton on top of it.Being so soft it seems to take out any little irregularities in the stand.As we all know an 8th of an inch out could mean the differance between a wet and dry floor.1/4 to 1/2 inch foam is ideal.
     
    sharkatak, Jul 23, 2007
    sharkatak, Jul 23, 2007
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  4. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    Yes 1/4 will be fine I used 5/8 on a 750 several yrs ago and I used 1/4 on a 100 gallon that I kept.. The reason is the foam will compress and as the air is squeezed out it acts as a self leveling agent on any rough spots in the stand. Rubber won't do that and rubber may break down ? or harden or crack
     
    Tangster, Jul 23, 2007
    Tangster, Jul 23, 2007
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  5. nemo79

    nemo79 Zoanthid

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    Oh my, I never did this with my tank and never have heard of this before.
     
    nemo79, Jul 23, 2007
    nemo79, Jul 23, 2007
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  6. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    Its not really needed with a good level stand and a glass tank. Its a must on a acrylic tank.. i never used it on a glass tank they will flex abo
    it anyways unlike acrylics
     
    Tangster, Jul 23, 2007
    Tangster, Jul 23, 2007
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  7. nemo79

    nemo79 Zoanthid

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    really, wow I wasn't aware about it with acrylics. I like the look of acrylic but then you need to take special care with them.
     
    nemo79, Jul 23, 2007
    nemo79, Jul 23, 2007
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  8. sharkatak

    sharkatak Flamingo Tongue

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    I always use it just in case.You can laser-level the stands im making but the price of a bit of foam is good insurance.
     
    sharkatak, Jul 23, 2007
    sharkatak, Jul 23, 2007
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  9. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    I'm building two 40 gallon customs tanks now for our mobile quarantine system got the rack and stand finished last week and starting the tanks this week. the fun never ends :) Its made so we can roll it up in the trailer and take it to one of the several schools we work at.
     
    Tangster, Jul 24, 2007
    Tangster, Jul 24, 2007
    #9