Should I use styrofoam under my tank? - Aquarium Advice

Meaile · 06-15-2005, 11:15 AM

Hello! I am setting up a 45 [acronym:e010d61e4a="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:e010d61e4a] tank. The bottom measures 36 x 12. I would like to have africal cichlids so I plan on using alot of rock. I already have the egg crate and I know from reading other threads that this is a good thing. The tank will be in a semi-high traffic area and I have read that putting styrofoam under the tank can help but heres my question(s).

How thick of a sheet should I use and what size should I cut it?

My best guess is to go 3/4 inch and cut it 38 x 14.

Could I put it just under the glass and not sticking out from the sides?

I have searched the posts but couldn't find a definative answer. I appologise if I missed something obvoius

Hara · 06-15-2005, 11:30 AM

When we set up the 55 gallon tanks, we put the styrofoam under the tank and then just trimmed around it with a sharp knife after the tank was settled. I think we used /2 inch foam, but 3/4 would be just fine.

mentallylost · 06-15-2005, 11:52 AM

I have a 125 gallon tank with 150 lbs of holey rork, and 100 lbs of gravel with no styrofoam under the tank. This was the manufactures suggestion for the warranty to apply if need be.

If you still have a need to use it though, make sure that it is not just under the glass, and that it covers the entire bottom of the tank. I like Hara's method.

Good choice in the African Cichlids though.

krazymom · 06-15-2005, 12:08 PM

Wow, plus the h20, HEAVY!! It is amazing that the tanks stay together!! Glad they do though!

Meaile · 06-15-2005, 12:10 PM

Aha! Thank you so much! I will definitely go with Hara's plan.

I'm super excited about doing african cichlids and I want everything to be as perfect as I can get it.

I really like the look of the Lake Tanganyikans. I would like to have a few Altolamprologus Comprecissep (Bright Orange) and a few Calvus (Black)

Any ideas on how many of each I should get and if these are easy to find?

mentallylost · 06-15-2005, 12:21 PM

3 of each. 1 male and 2 females. But you should be aware that they can crossbreed. I don't put too much concern into it though in my tank. I have too many predators taking care of any "crossbreeding" issues.

I got most of mine from www.armkes.com
I did not mail order them though. I live a couple of hours away so I just drive on down every now and then. They do have great fish. High quality stock.

Meaile · 06-15-2005, 12:25 PM

Thank you mentallylost! I just got done looking at you gallery and you have very cool fish and beautiful pictures!

Should I get them all at once or is it safe to get on kind first?

mentallylost · 06-15-2005, 12:29 PM

It is always better to add as few fish at one time that you can. Less chances of a ammonia spike. But it probably be ok to add 3 and then 3.

How long has the tank been set up?

cinciboy · 06-15-2005, 12:48 PM

No styrofoam for me. Chances of cracking is high in long term..

Meaile · 06-15-2005, 01:20 PM

I haven't even added water yet. I had to completely reseal the tank. It was a garage sale find and they had hedgehogs in it. I followed the [acronym:d8112b7dfa="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:d8112b7dfa] instructions and tested it this morning and it is holding water perfectly. I have't puchaced the filter or anything yet but here's what I plan on buying:

Aqua Clear 300
Jager 200 watt submersible heater
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master test kit
Play sand from the [acronym:d8112b7dfa="Home Depot"]HD[/acronym:d8112b7dfa]
Already have the egg crate

Don't have any rock/shale yet. I like the look of the holey rock....is it expensive?

What do you think? Any suggestions?

06-15-2005, 11:15 AM	#1
Meaile Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Columbia River Gorge Posts: 78	Should I use styrofoam under my tank? Hello! I am setting up a 45 [acronym:e010d61e4a="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:e010d61e4a] tank. The bottom measures 36 x 12. I would like to have africal cichlids so I plan on using alot of rock. I already have the egg crate and I know from reading other threads that this is a good thing. The tank will be in a semi-high traffic area and I have read that putting styrofoam under the tank can help but heres my question(s). How thick of a sheet should I use and what size should I cut it? My best guess is to go 3/4 inch and cut it 38 x 14. Could I put it just under the glass and not sticking out from the sides? I have searched the posts but couldn't find a definative answer. I appologise if I missed something obvoius

06-15-2005, 11:30 AM	#2
Hara Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 6,867 Images: 33	When we set up the 55 gallon tanks, we put the styrofoam under the tank and then just trimmed around it with a sharp knife after the tank was settled. I think we used /2 inch foam, but 3/4 would be just fine. __________________ ~~~~~Hara~~~~~~ View My Tanks Visit FantasyReef.com's Databases!

06-15-2005, 12:08 PM	#4
krazymom Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 322	Wow, plus the h20, HEAVY!! It is amazing that the tanks stay together!! Glad they do though! __________________ Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...... Vote here for Aquarium Advice. 55 [acronym:decb890405="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:decb890405] 2 gold dojo loaches 3 white tetras 4 zebra danios 3 neon tetras 1 pleco 2 ADFs

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06-15-2005, 11:52 AM	#3
mentallylost Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Olympia, Washington Posts: 289 Images: 6	I have a 125 gallon tank with 150 lbs of holey rork, and 100 lbs of gravel with no styrofoam under the tank. This was the manufactures suggestion for the warranty to apply if need be. If you still have a need to use it though, make sure that it is not just under the glass, and that it covers the entire bottom of the tank. I like Hara's method. Good choice in the African Cichlids though.

06-15-2005, 12:10 PM	#5
Meaile Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Columbia River Gorge Posts: 78	Aha! Thank you so much! I will definitely go with Hara's plan. I'm super excited about doing african cichlids and I want everything to be as perfect as I can get it. I really like the look of the Lake Tanganyikans. I would like to have a few Altolamprologus Comprecissep (Bright Orange) and a few Calvus (Black) Any ideas on how many of each I should get and if these are easy to find?

06-15-2005, 12:21 PM	#6
mentallylost Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Olympia, Washington Posts: 289 Images: 6	3 of each. 1 male and 2 females. But you should be aware that they can crossbreed. I don't put too much concern into it though in my tank. I have too many predators taking care of any "crossbreeding" issues. I got most of mine from www.armkes.com I did not mail order them though. I live a couple of hours away so I just drive on down every now and then. They do have great fish. High quality stock.

06-15-2005, 12:25 PM	#7
Meaile Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Columbia River Gorge Posts: 78	Thank you mentallylost! I just got done looking at you gallery and you have very cool fish and beautiful pictures! Should I get them all at once or is it safe to get on kind first?

06-15-2005, 12:29 PM	#8
mentallylost Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Olympia, Washington Posts: 289 Images: 6	It is always better to add as few fish at one time that you can. Less chances of a ammonia spike. But it probably be ok to add 3 and then 3. How long has the tank been set up?

06-15-2005, 12:48 PM	#9
cinciboy Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hyderabad, India Posts: 201 Images: 8	No styrofoam for me. Chances of cracking is high in long term..

06-15-2005, 01:20 PM	#10
Meaile Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Columbia River Gorge Posts: 78	I haven't even added water yet. I had to completely reseal the tank. It was a garage sale find and they had hedgehogs in it. I followed the [acronym:d8112b7dfa="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:d8112b7dfa] instructions and tested it this morning and it is holding water perfectly. I have't puchaced the filter or anything yet but here's what I plan on buying: Aqua Clear 300 Jager 200 watt submersible heater Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master test kit Play sand from the [acronym:d8112b7dfa="Home Depot"]HD[/acronym:d8112b7dfa] Already have the egg crate Don't have any rock/shale yet. I like the look of the holey rock....is it expensive? What do you think? Any suggestions?