FischAutoTechGarten
05-09-2019, 02:47 PM
I have 8 20L tanks that I will be assembling soon. (previous post I removed top and bottom rims and leak tested).
I wanted to cycle and break in two of them as bare bottom quarantine tanks. I though that I would do a painted styrofoam on the bottom for 'leveling' and to create a 'dirt/gravel substrate look'.
I experimented with a 9" x 11" square of 3/4" rigid Styrofoam. The results were hilarious:
123802
It literally dissolved. Yeah I know, stupid is what stupid does.. Like pouring gasoline into a Styrofoam cup. I thought I could work careful w/ light coats and ample drying time between coats. Nope. So painting syrofoam with Stone Creations is out. But I don't want a flat acrylic paint look.
As luck would have it, I happened to be browsing the planted tank forum looking for methods of stacking aquariums and stumbled upon a member using bookshelf sized aquariums stacked on shelves with 'Cork' underneath each of the aquariums. I like that look (though I'd try to find just slightly darker):
123803
So, a couple of questions:
1. My 20L will probably weigh in at about 160 lbs (accounting for about 1/2" offset waterline at the top). What thickness should I use for the cork?
2. Any cork users? How does it respond to occasionally getting a little wet? (did it mold? does it disintegrate?)
I wanted to cycle and break in two of them as bare bottom quarantine tanks. I though that I would do a painted styrofoam on the bottom for 'leveling' and to create a 'dirt/gravel substrate look'.
I experimented with a 9" x 11" square of 3/4" rigid Styrofoam. The results were hilarious:
123802
It literally dissolved. Yeah I know, stupid is what stupid does.. Like pouring gasoline into a Styrofoam cup. I thought I could work careful w/ light coats and ample drying time between coats. Nope. So painting syrofoam with Stone Creations is out. But I don't want a flat acrylic paint look.
As luck would have it, I happened to be browsing the planted tank forum looking for methods of stacking aquariums and stumbled upon a member using bookshelf sized aquariums stacked on shelves with 'Cork' underneath each of the aquariums. I like that look (though I'd try to find just slightly darker):
123803
So, a couple of questions:
1. My 20L will probably weigh in at about 160 lbs (accounting for about 1/2" offset waterline at the top). What thickness should I use for the cork?
2. Any cork users? How does it respond to occasionally getting a little wet? (did it mold? does it disintegrate?)