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DIY Stand... Advice needed
- Thread starter Intheflesh
- Start date
OP
OP
Intheflesh
Non-member
I will be using a toms aqualifter as my top off. I wouldnt be able to elevate the top off reservoir anyways, because I am building a walled off section to house my electronics and such.
When I went to the Depot, the only pocket drill tool they had cost $100! found one online for $20 that included the jig, bit and collar. should be here today or tommorow.
When I went to the Depot, the only pocket drill tool they had cost $100! found one online for $20 that included the jig, bit and collar. should be here today or tommorow.
OP
OP
Intheflesh
Non-member
What kind of foam do I use between the tank and stand? how thick?
I was thinking 3/8 neoprene. expensive, but asthetically pleasing
edit: actually not that expensive. Grainger has it for 25/ sq ft. Ebay has 2 x 5' sheets for $20.
I was thinking 3/8 neoprene. expensive, but asthetically pleasing
edit: actually not that expensive. Grainger has it for 25/ sq ft. Ebay has 2 x 5' sheets for $20.
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If this is a standard tank with the plastic trim on the bottom you should not use foam. The tank needs to be supported evenly around the perimiter and that's it. Foam is only used when tanks have the entire bottom resting on a table top.
OP
OP
Intheflesh
Non-member
Thanks for your response. Yes, the tank has a plastic trim on the bottom. my worry is that the table top isnt perfectly flat. Is this cause for concern?
That is a concern because it would create uneven pressure on the tank which would not be good at all. Not that this is very helpful, but do it right in the first place and get the top flat and level. Worst case scenerio that should mean some shimming and or sanding of the supports under the top until you get it to sit flat.
If you use foam under a tank with a floating bottom (what yours is) the perimiter will sink into the foam and then you can end up with a pressure point on the bottom glass where it shouldn't be and this could obviously be a problem.
Basically if the top is a little imperfect, the tank is most likely strong enough around the perimiter to handle it. Adding foam won't fix the unevenness of the stand top, but it might create a pressure point where the tank is less able to tolerate it.
If you use foam under a tank with a floating bottom (what yours is) the perimiter will sink into the foam and then you can end up with a pressure point on the bottom glass where it shouldn't be and this could obviously be a problem.
Basically if the top is a little imperfect, the tank is most likely strong enough around the perimiter to handle it. Adding foam won't fix the unevenness of the stand top, but it might create a pressure point where the tank is less able to tolerate it.
If you were to use the standard white Styrofoam it will surely compress and put that unwanted stress on the tanks bottom. But if you go with a more dense foam, like the kind used under house siding, it will not compress nearly as much and will only apply pressure to the tanks edges. It is pink from hd and blue from Lowe's. 3/4 is what glasscages requires under their rimmed tanks to allow for their warranty
