Foam mat under 90?

[JJLigs]

So I am in the process of setting up a 90 gallon custom used tank with a stand. My floor is slightly off where I want to put the tank and I want to take every extra precaution I can. The tank is rimmed on the base so I know technically it is not needed, but should I used a foam mat under it just to be safe? Also wouldn’t a thicker work out mat work just the same as the black mat the charge a ton for?

 

[lapin]

I would shim the stand where it meets the floor.
I am assuming the stand is flat on top.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Back in the day when I used a rimmed tank, I did not use a form pad between the tank and stand. But you said the floor is slightly off, that is very important...must be a level surface. I would use shims under the stand to level the stand/tank.

 

[Viking_Reefing]

Foam won’t do anything if the tanks not level, what it does is protect against small imperfections on the surface.
I would shim the stand to make it level.

 

[JJLigs]

I would shim the stand where it meets the floor.
I am assuming the stand is flat on top.

It is a full wood top yes

 

[rwreef]

Shim the stand level, pad only protects base of tank from the stand. It will not help to level.

 

[JJLigs]

Shim the stand level, pad only protects base of tank from the stand. It will not help to level.

No I know that I will have to shim the stand level. But would it be useful as an extra protection fir the tank?

 

[rwreef]

No I know that I will have to shim the stand level. But would it be useful as an extra protection fir the tank?

Yes.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hi,

Welcome, even though you joined a while back. Thanks for posting. Like mentioned, get the stand leveled. The mat or foam is generally used for rimless or frameless tanks. The issue with putting anything under a framed tank is the chance it puts pressure on the bottom glass and not just the frame. The bottom glass is not meant to support weight, so it may crack.

I have a Marineland 180 framed tank. I built my stand. If you get to know me, the frame could double as an old school seesaw. :p Anyway, after I built the stand I made sure it was as level as possible off the floor. I then purchased blue solid insulation foam from Lowe’s as a leveling pad. The important thing is to be sure if it compresses 100% under the frame area, the blue will still not hit the bottom frame glass.

BUT, if you get you stand shimmed and leveled you should not need that. I did use a furniture grade piece of plywood on the top of my frame also.

Hope I made sense . Let’s see some pics when you can.

 

[JJLigs]

These are the before and after shots of what I did to the stand. I stripped it down to bare wood inside and out. I stained it and resealed it also sealed the inside since most stand failures are caused by interior floors rotting out. I will be custom fitting a rubber mat in the bottom for added protection under the sump. I have some cool ideas for cord protection and water safety with the wires I am going to try. The tank itself is completely cleaned and scrubbed. I will be resealing it this weekend as it is at the ten year mark and was stored in fluctuating temps so would rather be safe than sorry with that. Any ideas and input would be appreciated. It is a miracles custom starphire glass center overflow 90 gallon.

 

[mphammer]

Wow great job on that stand, looks awesome.
Others have answered the leveling mat question so Ill skip that
If you have the space, I would recommend a locker next to your tank/stand that houses the electronic components. Makes it easier to have a clean look and ensures electrical/ water safety

 

[JJLigs]

Wow great job on that stand, looks awesome.
Others have answered the leveling mat question so Ill skip that
If you have the space, I would recommend a locker next to your tank/stand that houses the electronic components. Makes it easier to have a clean look and ensures electrical/ water safety

Thank you very much it was a beast of a job so far. Unfortunately I do not have that much space next to the stand. I wish I did but I think I have a oretty good idea of what I can do to keep it protected if it works out the way I planned it.

 

[JJLigs]

I am scared about the reseal it is my first time doing it but it seems straightforward.