How thick for padding?

**tcampbell** · 9th Apr 2010, 09:26

I am building a stand for a custom made rimless braceless tank. The tank will be 120X62X55cm. I was looking at using padding underneith it like a Yoga mat, which I think will look better then the styrofoam.
Howver, I was wondering what thickness to use? How thick is the standard ADA padding for a 120P? 90P?

I have choices between 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mm and 20mm.
Examples are atatched.

Thanks.

**Shadow** · 9th Apr 2010, 14:05

ADA garden mat thickness:

45x30cm Aquarium 5mm thickness
60x30cm Aquarium 5mm thickness
60x45cm Aquarium 5mm thickness
90x45cm Aquarium 8mm thickness
120x45cm Aquarium 8mm thickness
180x60cm Aquarium 8mm thickness

**tcampbell** · 9th Apr 2010, 14:33

Shadow - Thank you

**Shadow** · 9th Apr 2010, 14:36

you welcome, it is just cut and paste from ADA website

**tcampbell** · 10th Apr 2010, 13:36

That is strange. I tried finding the info on the ADA site and though google and I couldn't find anything. So If I buy 10mm padding of the types shown above I will be fine. They are Yoga mats or the same as the padding that parents put on floors in Kids playrooms. and at 1/6th of the cost of the ADA mat.

**BFG** · 10th Apr 2010, 20:59

Tcampbell, test the padding with the tank full of water. See if the tank sunk into the padding. A too thick padding sometimes exhibit too much free play in that the tank can move side to side. A thinner but firmer padding would prevent this from occuring.

Hope this helps!

**Shadow** · 10th Apr 2010, 21:13

I also use the yoga mat for my 3ft tank. Initially it was around 1.5cm compressed all the way to about 5mm or less

**tcampbell** · 11th Apr 2010, 01:47

BFG - the tank will weigh 109kg without water in it. So once it is one the stand, it will be almost impossible for me to move it off. I am depending on the tank makers to deliver it and put it on the stand. For my smaller 60X45X45 tank with 10mm glass I used the 2mm thick padding used for under hardwood floors doubled over to make a 4mm padding. There has been detectable compression at all. Would I be better off just sticking with a 10mm padding and allowing it to compress, or go for a thicker 15mm or 20mm padding??

shadow - wow that is a lot of compression. I guess YOga mats aren't meant to have 700lbs plus on them..

**BFG** · 11th Apr 2010, 13:38

Tcampbell, I can't help you there on choosing the thickness of the padding. I've been using the normal styrofoam below my tank for all my setup. My fear of using thick padding is that it may ' rock ' the tank and over time, one side of the silicone joint might wear off. Just my worst case scenario mode thinking though, it might not happen but you'll never know.