Polystyrene Under Tanks

[alan3513]

I've built a metal rack and plan to put wood on the shelf.
I know you need to put polystyrene under the tank but how thick does it need to be, Thanks, Alan

 

[micko]

I've heard of people doing this but can only see a benefit to it if the tank is placed on something such as a kitchen work top or something that gets used a lot and vibration is caused.

If that's the case I would only use a thin piece. Nothing major.

 

[fluttermoth]

You may not need polystyrene at all; it depends on the make of tank. Some of them (I know Juwel do) have what's called a 'floating base', where there's a plastic trim all the way around which holds the tank up. You should not use polystyrene on those tanks.

If it's just a normal tank really anything from ceiling tile thickness up will be fine. It's just there to absorb any unevenness from grit or suchlike that could crack the base when the tank is filled.

 

[micko]

It's just there to absorb any unevenness from grit or suchlike that could crack the base when the tank is filled.

Is that the idea behind it? I was always under the impression that is was due to shock from vibration.






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[KittyKat]

I have never used polystyrene with a frame base, but when using it on solid surfaces (for flat bottomed tanks), I have used everything from 5 mm for small tanks, up to 1 inch for larger tanks.

To prevent it cracking from grit, as far as I know.

 

[fluttermoth]

It's just there to absorb any unevenness from grit or suchlike that could crack the base when the tank is filled.

Is that the idea behind it? I was always under the impression that is was due to shock from vibration.

It is indeed. Glass is very strong 'crush' wise (these may not be the proper, scientific terms ) but is very weak 'torsion' wise, so any unevenness under the tank, like grit, will cause it to flex over the foreign body and that's what makes it crack

 

[jacko32]

its to even out any pressure points from scaping

all depends on tank size really bigger the tank bigger the poly also if its a rimless braceless tank its always best to use poly

ND aquatics send all there tanks with 1" thick poly and if you dont use it your warranty is void

 

[alan3513]

Thanks for the advice everyone. The tanks are 5 foot and 4 foot and the glass will rest directly on the polystyrene, no floating base.

 

[nurglespuss]

I use 1inch polystyrene on my 4foot tank, yes, its 100% for evening out pressure points, wieght distribution etc. also helps level the tank too.