What goes under acrylic sump

[Wildreefs]

Putting sump under tank on plywood stand.

Do I use styrofoam or rubber matt in between the plywood bottom and acrylics bottom of the sump?

 

[Kodski]

I typically just buy a cheap yoga mat as thick as I can find and cut it down to the footprint of the sump. Foamboard from a local home improvement store would also be fine. I find the yoga mat to be less of an eye sore.

 

[KrisReef]

If the plywood is flat then nothing is needed. You can use a mat of soft material if you like but it is not necessary.

 

[Tatted Reefer]

in the past, I've used the thin styrofoam sheets that are used for insulation. Usually about 1/2 thick

 

[painter1982]

I used underlayment from laminate flooring instal. 1.5mm thickness.

 

[Wildreefs]

If the plywood is flat then nothing is needed. You can use a mat of soft material if you like but it is not necessary.

Older stand, plywood has been wet before, not sure how true or flat it is

 

[vetteguy53081]

I use 1/2 " insulation foam

 

[Wildreefs]

I use 1/2 " insulation foam

The only foam I have is the 3/4 white foam from Home Depot’s, thinking that may be too thick

 

[vetteguy53081]

The only foam I have is the 3/4 white foam from Home Depot’s, thinking that may be too thick

None is too thick - just elevates the sump a little. I used 1/2" for ascetics as you really cant see it

 

[Freenow54]

Putting sump under tank on plywood stand.

Do I use styrofoam or rubber matt in between the plywood bottom and acrylics bottom of the sump?

I have never understood the need for anything especially something that would allow any sag of the aquarium

 

[malacoda]

Nothing.

Unless the surface your putting it on is as dished soup bowl, the acrylic sump will be fine. So if you're setting on cabinet bottom, our the floor of your house, there isn't any need for anything beneath the sump.

 

[Freenow54]

Nothing.

Unless the surface your putting it on is as dished soup bowl, the acrylic sump will be fine. So if you're setting on cabinet bottom, our the floor of your house, there isn't any need for anything beneath the sump.

Except one thing and I am happy I did. A sheet of plexi glass easy to clean any spills or salt creep that I scrape off my sump , and it protects the plywood and does not visibly compress maybe microscopically