Styrofoam inside tank

[paige]

I wanted to put some styrofoam inside the tank underneath the sand to make a bit of a "hill". I don't have any fish that dig into the sand or anything like that so would this be safe for my tank or do I need to seal it with silicone first? This is actually for a freshwater tank, not my saltwater one, if that makes any difference. Thanks.

 

[GSchiemer]

There are no toxicity concerns with strofoam, but how do you plan on keeping it from floating? I'd look for another material, such as flat stones sold for use in FW aquariums.

Greg

 

[silly34]

Doesn't it float?

B

 

[Anonymous]

Floats real well, there would be no possible way to keep it down inside an aquarium without fillin' it up with rocks!

 

[liquid]

Could use aquarium silicone to keep it down.

Shane

 

[paige]

I'm going to be putting it behind a piece of driftwood, so if I attach it to that and then put the gravel/sand on top of it, I think it'll sink then. No?

 

[tangir1]

>...I think it'll sink then. No?...

Driftwood is barely able to sink itself.... you will have to try it to find out, but the more the styro, the harder it is to stay submerged.

 

[dizzy]

paige,
All and all I think it would just be simpler to add a little more sand to get the same effect. I think styrene foam breaks down in water over time. While it might not be toxic the small beads floating around the tank would be a nuisance. Perhaps you could total seal the styrofoam with two part expoxy, but this seems like a lot of unnecessary expense and trouble. There has to be a lot of things that would work better.
Mitch

 

[tangir1]

Isn't there is an article on rock wall made by some kind of foam with sand/rock imbeded on it in AAOM or something? Will that be something you looking for?

 

[paige]

My driftwood is actually an african root...it sinks no problem. I'll try testing this all out in the bathtub before attempting it in the tank. I just don't want the added expense/weight of making the hill out of sand. This is a new freshwater tank I'm starting so I'll take my time and make sure I know what I'm doing before I place it in the tank permanently.