New 150g - 2 quick questions (1 Viewer)

[Stickboy97]

So I have had tanks for years, currently have 5 set up, but none as large as this.

My new 150g will be on a steel stand and I'm wondering....
1) Should I place a piece of wood under the stand? thickness? yoga mat? both? or none?
2) I usually place egg crate under my sand in case of rocks falling, is this really needed?

Thanks for the input.
S

 

[soymilk]

imho

1) no, straight on floor. More solid, don't have to worry about rotting wood.

2) rocks straight on glass, use shelf rock to establish a solid base. Put rocks in first, then sand. Egg crate ends up making small pockets of anaerobic bacteria. Sand critters and fish can't shift thru the bottom of the sandbed.

 

[Stickboy97]

The wood would be under the tank, on top of the stand. Just wondering how the tank will be sitting directly on top of the steel frame.

 

[R-BallJunkie]

is your tank rimmed or rimless?

 

[Reefahholic]

If the bottom is rimless it’s a good idea to put something under it to reduce any pressure points. I used two Yoga Mats under mine and it has worked well. Highly recommend. The stand won’t need anything under it. Only the tank if there’s no bracing/trim on bottom. The mats look like this:

 

[Stickboy97]

Yes, it is rimless. Thats why I was thinking the same thing, I need something. If you put a yoga mat, do you also put wood? Or just yoga mat over the steel, then tank?

 

[Team Turtle]

Yes, it is rimless. Thats why I was thinking the same thing, I need something. If you put a yoga mat, do you also put wood? Or just yoga mat over the steel, then tank?

Just the yoga mat

 

[Tangs]

Just to let you know.... I have had my 125 laying on the same wood frame cabinet for 25 years now. No rusting away no rotten wood. Never had any leaks except the top cus I like to hide the water line. Cool eh

 

[soymilk]

Just to let you know.... I have had my 125 laying on the same wood frame cabinet for 25 years now. No rusting away no rotten wood. Never had any leaks except the top cus I like to hide the water line. Cool eh

do you run a sump?


As for wood on the metal stand. It'll have to depend how flat it is.

 

[Stickboy97]

Just to let you know.... I have had my 125 laying on the same wood frame cabinet for 25 years now. No rusting away no rotten wood. Never had any leaks except the top cus I like to hide the water line. Cool eh

Yeah, I have some oldish tanks on wodden stands as well, no issues. This will be the first steel stand I've had.

 

[Reefahholic]

Yes, it is rimless. Thats why I was thinking the same thing, I need something. If you put a yoga mat, do you also put wood? Or just yoga mat over the steel, then tank?

If the steel is open, then I’d put a piece of plywood first, but that is just my preference. That way the yoga mat won’t sag in places. Make sure you get enough to where a little bit sticks out the edges. Like just 1/8-1/4”. I had to drain my tank and lift up the aquarium because I tried to cut it too close. Was very annoying headache. The back was some how 1/4” short and I didn’t notice it until later on.

All the trouble for this tiny strip.

 

[frankc]

If the steel is open, then I’d put a piece of plywood first, but that is just my preference. That way the yoga mat won’t sag in places. Make sure you get enough to where a little bit sticks out the edges. Like just 1/8-1/4”. I had to drain my tank and lift up the aquarium because I tried to cut it too close. Was very annoying headache. The back was some how 1/4” short and I didn’t notice it until later on.

All the trouble for this tiny strip.

Great job on the aquascape.

 

[Globe182jp]

If money is no option or you are worried about rot you could use PVC sheet and then a foam/Neoprene on top under the tank.
Jake

 

[BigRick]

I like putting 3x3 or 4x4 tiles down on the bottom glass before adding rock and sand. Or starboard

 

[Tangs]

No sump

 

[Cody]

I never got the idea of putting foam under stands or tanks, especially the type of foam we use, which is akin to yoga mats. Squeeze a yoga mat with your fingers. It has very little resistance. Now, drop a 2000 pound aquarium on top. It's not rigid enough to push back, and won't provide any support considering how pliable it is. If anything, it's a moisture and mold sponge in the gaps it "fills" which is only because there's no pressure on it to begin with. Two pounds of pressure and the foam collapses, which isn't much in the department of support.

 

[air_run]

I never got the idea of putting foam under stands or tanks, especially the type of foam we use, which is akin to yoga mats. Squeeze a yoga mat with your fingers. It has very little resistance. Now, drop a 2000 pound aquarium on top. It's not rigid enough to push back, and won't provide any support considering how pliable it is. If anything, it's a moisture and mold sponge in the gaps it "fills" which is only because there's no pressure on it to begin with. Two pounds of pressure and the foam collapses, which isn't much in the department of support.

I agree with this. I would prefer to use what is called 4lb closed cell foam or technically "Cross Linked Polyethylene - 4LB Charcoal" such as below.

Cross Linked Polyethylene - 4LB Charcoal

Check out the deal on Cross Linked Polyethylene - 4LB Charcoal at Foam Factory, Inc.

www.foambymail.com

Specs per above website for those interested.

Resilient
Excellent buoyancy
Good thermal insulator
Excellent strength and shock absorption
Low water absorption
Impervious to mildew, mold, rot, and bacteria
Excellent chemical resistance
Nontoxic and contains no CFCs, HCFCs, or hydrocarbon blowing agents

If anyone wants to see it in action, Than from Tidal Gardens used this with all his rather large aquariums sitting on aluminum stands. Starting at the 5:09 mark.