rubber mats

Parzifal · 10/10/2009, 11:19 AM

I'm just getting back into this hobby after a 3 year denial of how much i truly love it. Usually i use styrofoam insulation between my aquariums and the plywood surface but am looking for something else like a rubber mat maybe.

Any experiences with this? or stores to check them out?

Shane Hoffman · 10/10/2009, 12:37 PM

Styrofoam is what manurfacturers recommend. If your tank had the plastic molding around it you are not supposed to put anything under it. Your safest bet is to follow the tank builders recommendation. If you buy used try to buy a tank that you are able to ID who made it.

ludnix · 10/10/2009, 01:25 PM

Rubber mats are much harder to get. You can get neoprene mats online thought they are expensive. I would just use whatever the tank manufacturer recommends.

rjwilcox · 10/10/2009, 01:44 PM

I used a piece of carpet under my sump. was tring to keep the vibration noise down. it worked didnt think it would hurt it. shoul i remove the carpet?

Achilles BC · 10/10/2009, 02:16 PM

your sump is probably not near as heavy as most tanks so you should be fine. It could start to stink if you spill on it very much at all.

down and outman · 10/10/2009, 09:02 PM

Styrofoam is waterproof. I am forever spilling water, so it is a good thing.

ludnix · 10/10/2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjwilcox

I used a piece of carpet under my sump. was tring to keep the vibration noise down. it worked didnt think it would hurt it. shoul i remove the carpet?

I'm assuming you have a plastic trim on the bottom? I don't think you'd run into the same problems as running foam would cause, but like others said, if you spill anything on it you'll want to dry it as much as possible.

jimroth · 10/11/2009, 07:41 AM

I have a kind of open cell rubber mat I use under my pumps, I used it under a sump in my previous tank. I bought it from a rubber specialty place in NYC. The problem with closed-cell foam like neoprene is that it eventually collapses under weight. You want to use open-cell foam which is heavy and self-supporting. I bought it like 10 years ago, it's still holding up.

Laddy · 10/11/2009, 01:31 PM

I have in the past used those black rubber mats which come with workout equipment such as treadmills or nordiktracks..........I've placed them under sumps and inline pumps before. They work great.............and the treadmill doesn't really require it since they usually become a $1000 hat rack anyway

10/10/2009, 11:19 AM	#1
Parzifal Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Portland Or Posts: 17	rubber mats I'm just getting back into this hobby after a 3 year denial of how much i truly love it. Usually i use styrofoam insulation between my aquariums and the plywood surface but am looking for something else like a rubber mat maybe. Any experiences with this? or stores to check them out?

10/10/2009, 12:37 PM	#2
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	Styrofoam is what manurfacturers recommend. If your tank had the plastic molding around it you are not supposed to put anything under it. Your safest bet is to follow the tank builders recommendation. If you buy used try to buy a tank that you are able to ID who made it. __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

10/10/2009, 01:25 PM	#3
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	Rubber mats are much harder to get. You can get neoprene mats online thought they are expensive. I would just use whatever the tank manufacturer recommends. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

10/10/2009, 02:16 PM	#5
Achilles BC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Scappoose, Or Posts: 57	your sump is probably not near as heavy as most tanks so you should be fine. It could start to stink if you spill on it very much at all. __________________ New to the forum, not to the game! Current Tank Info: 75AGA w/ 1200w of lighting (working on a 180 cube)

10/10/2009, 09:02 PM	#6
down and outman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LaGrange GA Posts: 480	Styrofoam is waterproof. I am forever spilling water, so it is a good thing. __________________ " There you go, Lad. Keep as cool as you can. Face piles of trials with smiles..." Moody Blues (Thanks Homegrown for keeping me straight!) Current Tank Info: 90Gal AGA, 25 g sump, Mag 7, Koralia 4's

10/10/2009, 01:44 PM	#4
rjwilcox Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 60	I used a piece of carpet under my sump. was tring to keep the vibration noise down. it worked didnt think it would hurt it. shoul i remove the carpet?

10/11/2009, 07:41 AM	#8
jimroth Moving Money Join Date: May 2001 Location: Rockaway, NJ Posts: 1,764	I have a kind of open cell rubber mat I use under my pumps, I used it under a sump in my previous tank. I bought it from a rubber specialty place in NYC. The problem with closed-cell foam like neoprene is that it eventually collapses under weight. You want to use open-cell foam which is heavy and self-supporting. I bought it like 10 years ago, it's still holding up. __________________ Jim Roth --------------- Current Tank Info: 250G custom SPS System w/3X Radions

10/11/2009, 01:31 PM	#9
Laddy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Standing Tall on the Quarterdeck Posts: 1,001	I have in the past used those black rubber mats which come with workout equipment such as treadmills or nordiktracks..........I've placed them under sumps and inline pumps before. They work great.............and the treadmill doesn't really require it since they usually become a $1000 hat rack anyway __________________ James Hobbies: I enjoy moving water from point A, to point B, back to point A WANTED: True ATL Appleberry Palawanensis Frag, PM me. Current Tank Info: Current Build: 180 Reef; 55 holding tank