What about styrofoam on edge-supported aquariums?

[rsisu]

I just picked up a 90 gallon All-Glass show tank. It seems that AGA has become Aqueon? It's a pre-drilled megaflow tank. I hear a lot about placing styrofoam under the tank. The stand I bought for it is designed for the tank and it looks very flat and supportive. Question is: with an edge-supported tank with plumbing coming out of the bottom, is foam needed/recommended? If I was to do it, it would have to have holes cut in it, and it would only be supporting the edges of the aquarium, which seem very well supported by the stand. The plastic edging of the aquarium seems designed to handle any minor imperfections in the setup. I have already broke the tank down once in order to shim the stand (I did place foam under the stand, but I doubt that this does much for me). I don't want to go through another breakdown unless the manufacturer (or other experts) recommends it. I don't see why they would if they don't include a decal on the aquarium stating that it must be supported by foam. Please alleviate my concerns.

 

[Len]

:welcome:

Styrofoam is better used with flat bottom aquariums. With a trim edge, I would probably not use it myself, although I couldn't imagine it causing any harm either. Just make sure the stand is level and you'll be fine. The purpose of styrofoam is simply to even out any uneven pressure so no part of the tank's bottom is overly stressed. A level stand, again, is the best way.

 

[Anonymous]

I've never used it on edge supported tanks. If you do use it make sure the styrofome is under the trim not the glass.

 

[Anonymous]

Styrofoam is for low pressure applcation where there is a lot of surface area to spread the weight. For edge application, it just got squeezed into thin, hard plastic, and there is little advantage for that.

 

[rsisu]

Thanks folks. Aqueon (aka: All Glass Aquarium) also replied to me and said not to bother with styrofoam. It's designed to be on a stand without it. I feel better now about the setup....Now, if I could just hurry up the nitrogen cycle so I can start having fun with this thing!