So I put a half inch sheet of styrofoam under a 240 gallon acrylic tank and I have four bulkheads in the bottom of the tank two out and two in. My question is are the bulkheads going to losen up as I fill the tank with water?
Question about styrofoam under acrylic tank.
- Thread starter Tanganikajunkie
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- fresh water sump
People generally don't do fittings on the bottom of a tank. It is very nice for plumbing and not needing an overflow, but once its set up it is near impossible to make changes without draining. And if it leaks, you're screwed. So I'd suggest switching to an overflow before you get it all set up.
That being said, to actually answer your question, yes they will. As the acrylic gets full it'll shift slightly under the stress, so re-tighten everything for sure.
That being said, to actually answer your question, yes they will. As the acrylic gets full it'll shift slightly under the stress, so re-tighten everything for sure.
The fittings must clamp to the glass only. Do not sandwich the base and foam in the fitting. Any compression of the foam will cause the fitting to loose clamping pressure. The fittings can't take a lot of clamping pressure so you can't simply over tighten to compensate.
Drill holes in the base and foam large enough to allow the fitting to protrude freely. I always leave enough room to reach the locking ring as well. This way I can snug the fitting if need be.
Drill holes in the base and foam large enough to allow the fitting to protrude freely. I always leave enough room to reach the locking ring as well. This way I can snug the fitting if need be.
Actually its VERY common to put acrylic on the bottom on the tanks in a larger aquarium. Reason being is for saltwater application not freshwater.
Its a huge misconception to use foam under acrylic tanks.... It can/will lead to bottom seam failure. its like suspeding ur tank on a bed of air... completly unnecessary and detrimental to acrylic tanks... Foam is for plate glass tanks with no trim.... place your acrylic tank directly on plywood ontop of your stand. Cut holes in the ply so that ur bulkheads have room to be tightened up to the acrylic...not the wood, as others have stated. Get that foam outta there all together!!!!! Its an "urban myth" so to speak for acrylics.
This guy knows what hes talking about. My father has a 1000 gallon tank and maybe triple the amount of fittings for the bottom. He does saltwater so yeah. Don't worry about the tanks bulkheads. Make them snug and water test it. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THEM!
Ok well if I put the tank directly on the ply wood the try and look under the tank I can see between the tank and stand is this common in acrylic tanks?
I cannot speak to Styrofoam with Acrylic, but a must with rimless glass tanks.
Bulk head on the bottom on tanks may not be common for freshwater, but no reason why you shouldn't or couldn't. As mentioned just allow enough room cutting the hole in the plywood so you have room to tighten - but don't overtighten. Nothing new, just reiterating the key points stated above.
Bulk head on the bottom on tanks may not be common for freshwater, but no reason why you shouldn't or couldn't. As mentioned just allow enough room cutting the hole in the plywood so you have room to tighten - but don't overtighten. Nothing new, just reiterating the key points stated above.
Ok I got the stand it has a plywood top if I put the tank on without styrofoam and bend down to look at how the tank is sitting on the stand I can see between the stand and tank
