Tropiquarium 68 Bottom? Polystyrene?

[slimeskul]

I have just bought a 2nd hand Tropiquarium 68 but noticed it did not have the normal polystyrene/foam matt thingie on the bottom of the tank. Instead its got that a rigid plastic base unit that acts like a stand & lifts the tank about 3/8".
What I was wondering was is the glass strong enough to hold some substrate & a few pieces of slate? Or should I cut some polystryene & fit it underneath the glass along with this black base thing as well?

Also was there an instruction manual that came with the tank, to explain what goes in the 2 sections on the hood. Im guessing the section on the left is for all the cabling coming in & the right hand section is for an air pump & for feeding.

Cheers
slimeskul

 

[MoreCoffee]

This may not be much help, but........

I have a Tropiquarium 88.

If the 2 sections on the hood are the same as the 88, (they are at the rear on the outside of the hood under a lift out panel) then the left hand side is for the cabling etc and the right hand side has a 'knock out' plate to enable an auto feeder to be installed.

As for the Polystyrene. My 88 was installed from new with the base unit and it doesnt have polystyrene underneath. However it may be different as it isnt llifted 3/8" by the base. My tanks has been running for about 4 months without any problems.

Mr G

 

[slimeskul]

Ah that sounds about right with the lid & the panels that come off. I was wondering what the hole was for & an autofeeder sounds about right.

About the base, does the bottom of your tank lie flat on the stand/base unit or is it sort of suspended with a gap beneath it.

My main worry is if i put a lot of weight on it that bottom pane of glass wont be able to hold the weight.

slime

 

[MoreCoffee]

Actually when I think about it, I'm sure the bottom of the tank is slightly raised from the cabinet.
There were 4 small plastic pegs that were supposed to fit into the top of the cabinet to stop the tank
from moving but the pegs were missing when I assembled the base ( Damn flatpacks!)
so we installed the tank without them.
( have you tried to move a 130L tank full of water and wet sand )

So basically mine is setup without any Polystyrene under the tank. I've had no problems at all
over the past few months ..... not even thought about it ......UNTIL NOW

(Makes mental note to check home contents insurance policy !!!)

I dont think you've got anything to lose by putting polystyrene under the tank, but it doesnt mention
it in the setup instructions for a new tank and I'm not sure how it would affect the way the tank sits on
the base. All I can say is mine is OK without.
.......... Sorry, I know thats not really very much help !

 

[andyj]

The Trops are designed NOT to need the polystyrene, as the base of the tank is raised by the plastic surround around the bottom.

Andy

 

[Biker_boy]

My Tropiquarium88 has four metal 'pegs' in the cabinet top which the tank sits on. The bottom of the tank inself has a plastic skirt which keeps them hidden from view and helps lock the tank into place.

Jon.

 

[slimeskul]

Ah, ok, but I didn't realise that they had been designed not to need the polystyrene. I just thought that the plastic surround would place too much pressure on the bottom plane of glass or at least on the edges & as such snap or shatter if too heavy a load was place on it.

slime

 

[Biker_boy]

I wouldn't trust it to sit on the plastic skirt with the tank full - might be alright, I couldn't say. Wouldn't harm to put a bit of old carpet or polystyrene padding under the glass though.

hth



Jon.

 

[andyj]

:sarcastic mode on:

Why would they design a tank to have the bottom raised if it wasn't going to be safe ?!??

:sarcastic mode off:

When designing a stand for any tank, the main areas which need to be supported are the outer edges, underneath the verticle side panels. (take a look at your LFS when you next go)

I've had my Trop88 set up with, 120L water, 25kg gravel, 25kg rocks, several kg bogwood.... equaling around 200kg total. Seems safe to me......