Replacing the under tank foam on an IM Nuvo 25 lagoon AIO?

[Fish Fan]

Hi all! I have been building an IM Nuvo Fusion 25 gallon lagoon AIO to be an invert QT tank, and I think while building my rather non-traditional cabinet (build thread hopefully soon!), I've managed to damaged the foam under the tank. It's not such a big deal that it worries me to run the tank, but it's in the front corner, and I can see where the foam is damaged when looking at the tank, and it's driving me nuts lol!

Furthermore, I've been going back-and-forth on whether or not to have sand in this tank (if I do sand, I want something "different").

Could someone please suggest a replacement for the foam mat that comes under the IM Nuvo tanks? It doesn't have to be the exact same material, but I'd strongly prefer black if I decided to go bare bottomed.

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'd recommend getting a cheap, thin yoga mat off amazon and cutting it to size...

 

[Fish Fan]

I'd recommend getting a cheap, thin yoga mat off Amazon and cutting it to size...

Thanks! My question is that I've seen yoga mats, and they look nothing like the foam on the bottom of my tank. Are yoga mats really what everyone uses?

In fact, I asked this before, because I have a recently delivered 150 gallon SC Aquarium tank in my garage. This tank came with a super flimsy looking poster board material that's supposed to be the under tank mat. I'd like something more substantial than that material.

I'm fine with a yoga mat, but I'm still unsure lol! Is there one you could link that's black and would work for either my 25 or 150 or both?

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Any closed-cell foam (e.g. neoprene) will work... doesn't have to be an actual yoga mat. But the 150 will need substantially thicker foam than a 25 (although you can use the thicker foam for both).

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Remember that the foam is to relieve stress points on the glass caused by tiny imperfections in the top of the stand... this isn't meant to "level" the tank. Depending on your stand, the 25g might not need any foam at all.

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks again! I know closed cell foam is the stuff. What about those like 1/2" thick closed cell foam mats that campers use? I know these do come in black:

Robot or human?

 

[Fish Fan]

Remember that the foam is to relieve stress points on the glass caused by tiny imperfections in the top of the stand... this isn't meant to "level" the tank. Depending on your stand, the 25g might not need any foam at all.

Of course I'm a woodworker, so the stand will be level. I'm just at odds with this foam material lol!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks again! I know closed cell foam is the stuff. What about those like 1/2" thick closed cell foam mats that campers use? I know these do come in black:

Robot or human?

Find out what thickness the tank manufacturer recommends and go with at least that... might void your warranty if you use something too thin.

 

[Fish Fan]

Find out what thickness the tank manufacturer recommends and go with at least that... might void your warranty if you use something too thin.

Right! I have just ordered and received an SC Aquariums 150, and confirmed by the seller, it ships with a piece of like 1/8" foam board, think of it like the stuff you get at your local dollar store for kid's school projects. It's what the owner/contact from SCA suggested I use; I did ask. I know it's not to level the tank, but it still screams insufficient to me. Maybe I'm wrong.

And on my 25, I damaged the foam while building the system, ideally I'd like to replace it just so it looks nice.

There has got to be an aquarium oriented product - even if it's really expensive - to be used under tanks.

Thanks as always for your help, @EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal!

 

[icedgxe]

Here you go. I believe this may be what your looking for.

DIY Self Leveling Rubber Aquarium Mat 36" x 24" - Innovative Marine

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

 

[Fish Fan]

Here you go. I believe this may be what your looking for.

DIY Self Leveling Rubber Aquarium Mat 36" x 24" - Innovative Marine

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

That's pricey, but perfect for my 25! Thank you for your reply!

 

[icedgxe]

That's pricey, but perfect for my 25! Thank you for your reply!

No problem! It does come in a smaller size, not sure if the price is any different.

 

[Fish Fan]

No problem! It does come in a smaller size, not sure if the price is any different.

They tag you with an extra $15 shipping charge too, so this is like a $35 mat lol!

Have you ever done this? How did you get the old mat off the tank?

 

[icedgxe]

They tag you with an extra $15 shipping charge too, so this is like a $35 mat lol!

Have you ever done this? How did you get the old mat off the tank?

That’s definitely up there for a mat.

I’ve never done it myself.

 

[Fish Fan]

That’s definitely up there for a mat.

I’ve never done it myself.

I mean, it really is LOL! Many say you can use a five dollar yoga mat, but my brain sees the "real" thing, and I have to have it, so I ordered it today. I'm not worried about getting the old one off, I just want to be careful and not damage the vinyl wrap I added to the side of my tank, for this particular build. I'm pretty sure the old mat will peel off. Thank you for your reply!