Large Tank Leveling Mat

[504Refugee]

So I haven't been able to find an actual leveling mat for a 140 gallon shallow tank. Its 72x24, and everywhere is out of stock.

So far I've come up with 2 options ( I hope you guys can give me more options)

#1 would be to get this mat from home depot and cut it down to fit.

The second option is to get 2 of these mats which are 13x80, put them side to side and then trim the excess off of them, but I thought I read somewhere that using 2 mats was not good.

What do you guys think, or what do you use for your large tanks?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Innovative Marine is out of stock too?

 

[Reef Jedi]

If possible to answer some of your question, I would stick with one mat and trim it down. Doesn’t have to be super thick.

 

[Fish Fan]

I'd like to tag @UncommonSense if he's got a minute to reply.

I researched under tank mats myself, and believe it or not, there's some details that you might not want to overlook, though many get away with foam boards from Home Depot

I too would favor the mat from Innovative Marine, if it's available.

 

[504Refugee]

Innovative Marine is out of stock too?

I didn't even see a 72 inch one as an option. I believe the biggest I saw there was 48x24

 

[UncommonSense]

So I haven't been able to find an actual leveling mat for a 140 gallon shallow tank. Its 72x24, and everywhere is out of stock.

So far I've come up with 2 options ( I hope you guys can give me more options)

#1 would be to get this mat from home depot and cut it down to fit.

The second option is to get 2 of these mats which are 13x80, put them side to side and then trim the excess off of them, but I thought I read somewhere that using 2 mats was not good.

What do you guys think, or what do you use for your large tanks?

I’d go for the solid neoprene, vs. foam rubber here!

It’s not particularly cheap, but it’s some quality material!

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Rubber-Cal-Neoprene-1-4-in-Thick-x-36-in-Length-x-72-in-Width-Commercial-Grade-60A-Rubber-Sheet-20-101-0250-36-072/303057706

It looks like IM does sell a 72”x24” adhesive backed neoprene foam leveling mat in 5mm (~3/16”)…. Technically, solid neoprene in 1/4” is actually even more robust!

 

[504Refugee]

I'd like to tag @UncommonSense if he's got a minute to reply.

I researched under tank mats myself, and believe it or not, there's some details that you might not want to overlook, though many get away with foam boards from Home Depot

I too would favor the mat from Innovative Marine, if it's available.

Do you think that mat above from Home Depot would work?

I also just emailed innovative marine. Maybe they have one way in the back they dont have listed on their website

 

[504Refugee]

I’d go for the solid neoprene, vs. foam rubber here!

It’s not particularly cheap, but it’s some quality material!

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Rubber-Cal-Neoprene-1-4-in-Thick-x-36-in-Length-x-72-in-Width-Commercial-Grade-60A-Rubber-Sheet-20-101-0250-36-072/303057706

It looks like IM does sell a 72”x24” adhesive backed neoprene foam leveling mat in 5mm (~3/16”)…. Technically, solid neoprene in 1/4” is actually even more robust!

Anyway you can send a link to the mat if you find one?

I am not seeing a 72x24 anywhere

 

[UncommonSense]

I only found it on one site, where they’re all out of stock, sadly…

Innovative Marine AUQA Gadget DIY Aquarium Self-Leveling Mat

An uneven surface can cause eventual tank failure. Prevent disaster with a self-leveling mat. Order for delivery or pickup now in store in Oakland, CA.

www.baybridgeaquarium.com

If you’d like to replicate it, any 60A shore hardness neoprene foam in 5mm-6.35mm (3/16”-1/4”) thickness with adhesive backing will do it!

 

[504Refugee]

Hopefully they will reply to my email with good news.

Thank you guys!

 

[Fish Fan]

Anyway you can send a link to the mat if you find one?

I am not seeing a 72x24 anywhere

I have used this exact product to replace the mat under my Innovative Marine 25 gallon. I believe this is the same material that IM uses on their tanks brand new.

Why can't you simply use two of their 24"x36" mats for your 24"x72" tank?

 

[JumboShrimp]

There is no reason you need a 72 x 24 Innovative Marine size mat per se-- just buy a sufficient 'amount' of mat and just cut it into strips/pieces that meet your coverage requirements. That's what I did with my two 150 gallon tanks. With hundreds of pounds sitting on it, the pieces won't be going anywhere.

Just to be more specific, my tanks are stand/styrofoam/IM mat/tank bottom.

 

[UncommonSense]

Why can't you simply use two of their 24"x36" mats for your 24"x72" tank?

This would absolutely work, if OP can find them in-stock!

Example of the factory leveling mat on a G2 Red Sea Reefer 525XL:

The made it out of five total pieces of neoprene foam mat, for some reason…

 

[504Refugee]

I have used this exact product to replace the mat under my Innovative Marine 25 gallon. I believe this is the same material that IM uses on their tanks brand new.

Why can't you simply use two of their 24"x36" mats for your 24"x72" tank?

I have no problem using 2 mats.

I thought i had read something somewhere saying not to use multiple pieces and to use 1 solid piece.

But that's why I'm here to learn from yall!

Thank you!

 

[dank.reefer]

I used this it works great.

https://a.co/d/00ilTLku

 

[Marco_99]

I have a box of this i used on my tank

 

[504Refugee]

I have a box of this i used on my tank

I hadn't seen this one. Thank you!

I think this might be what I go with

 

[504Refugee]

I used this it works great.

https://a.co/d/00ilTLku

Really? I suppose those little ridges kinda smash out under the weight of the tank right?

 

[Marco_99]

I used this it works great.

https://a.co/d/00ilTLku

I have this inside on the bottom of my cabinet, my advanced 36 Fiji Cube sump sits on this

 

[Marco_99]

I hadn't seen this one. Thank you!

I think this might be what I go with

You get a lot of it. I bought a roll because my factory mat was actually a smudge small. So I just cut a new mat