Has everyone supported the bottom of their tanks?

[lu]

I read somewhere that before you set your tank up you should support the bottom glass with styrofoam and or plywood. Has anyone done this? I didn't because I didn't know about it until AFTER my tank was set up and full of water. The tank is on a stand but the stand isn't solid for the tank to sit on. It looks like just the outside walls are supported. I'm getting ready to empty the tank this morning to change cc to ls and now would be a great time to do it if it's really a good thing.....any comments would be greatly appreciated....thanks!

 

[lu]

I suppose when you consider that you would have 800#'s of water, 100#'s of live rock and almost 300#'s of sand in the tank, you should support it. But, I want to know if everyone else has done it???? And if so, exactly how? <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[mr . salty]

This is done more to even out any imperfections in the stands supporting surface,than to support the tanks bottom...The tank itself SHOULD rest on the edges,NOT the bottom glass.If you were to put a piece of ply,or foam cut to fit the bottom glass you would be increasing the risk of breaking the bottom bglass,or causing the seals to leak...The tank is designed to rest on the vertical panes of glass.There is alot more structural integrety there than the flat bottom pane of glass.....

 

[lu]

Oh thank you, thank you Mr Salty. I was just about ready to go out and do that when I came back to read any posts. I wonder why that website put that up? That's bad information, why would someone do that? That's why I'm glad I come here. It just seems everyone is so dedicated to the knowledge of the hobby. Thanks again!!

 

[seabass]

the foam should not go under the bottom glass but around the edges. its to help tp keep the tank level, and soften the presure undernieth. 1/2" pink foam ( the foam you use for isulaton on the outside of houses) you can get it at home depot.