Do you use a pad underneath tank

rsn48

So I've read many recommendations to use a pad underneath a tank and there are none available in town that fit a 75 gallon tank. However "Canadian Tire" (kind of like "Eagle") has some backpack sleeping pads that are black that could work quite well.

Do any, some, most, all of you use pads under your tanks?

molliefan09

what do you mean by pad?? like heating pad? or something like padding under the tank (no heat)??

WisFish

I use strips of cork that I cut from a sheet of cork. The steel stand I have doesn't support the tank very well. Years ago I woke up to the sound of running water. The silicone holding the bottom of the tank together had failed. My landlord and the neighbors downstairs weren't too happy. So I used my camping cooler to hold the fish while I resilicones the tank. Ever since I've used strips of cork to fill in the gaps between the tank and the stand. For those wooden stands that are fairly flat, it's probably not needed.

Kelso

I have some white felt permanently attached to the bottom of tank...my biggest tank also sits on top of a dresser.

Angel079

I used to always use them under my tanks, you're talking these fine foam like mats right?
I stopped using them several yrs ago w/out issue. Provided always the surface you're putting the tank on gotta 110% level, not just "close" to level.

rsn48

In the past, I never used a pad but in my last incarnation in the hobby a 45 gallon tank started leaking while we were away, about thirty gallons on the floor. Prior to this incident I had never had a problem, like the one of the posters above, once you've had a leak you become more of a believer.

Yes I am talking about those thin pads, I was thinking of using two until I discovered they were unavailable, so now onto the sleeping pad cell foam - the trick is finding it in black.

Angel079

But how's that gonna prevent a possible leak? Lets say the seal on your tank in the rear right corner is improper....how would a pad help that from spreading a leak? I don't seem to quite follow you there I believe...

WisFish

The issue is more about even support. I guess it's the same principle as memory foam. As the tank sinks into the cork, eventually the sinking will stop as the support evens out.

stephanieleah

Oh my gosh, that is a great idea. For leveling it out. Thank you for bringing this up.

rsheets

I'm not thinking it's for "leveling" the tank. It's more for filling in the low spots that the stand could have. if there is a spot that is a little lower, it will not be sitting on the stand in that spot. The pads fill in these spots to make the edge of the tank sit on something that will support it.
I never have used them. Never had a problem so far.