Underneath substrate......

MbunaGal

Small Fish
Oct 22, 2002
11
0
0
communities.msn.com
#1
I was just curious about what you guys use to protect the glass on the bottom of your tank.  With african cichlids it is important to have a protective layer between the glass and gravel because they like to dig a lot and there is a possibilty of a rock sliding down and cracking the glass.  Before I have had an UGF and used this as protection.  But my new 75 gallon setup is going to have an FBF instead of an UGF.  I've heard to use styrofoam but won't it dissolve and leech chemicals in to the water?  Or is there an aquarium safe one?  Any help is appreciated! ;D  Thanks!
 

G

geoffgarcia (Guest)

Guest
#2
I belive that it is a common misconception about styrofoam.
Many people paint styrofoam and use it in their tanks as decoration. I'm about 98% positive that you'll be perfectly fine if you cut some up and slap it on the bottom of your tank, try anchoring it down with some silicone adhesive.
 

ryanp15

Superstar Fish
Oct 22, 2002
1,130
0
0
37
Kentucky
#3
WEll I have read an article on the net about it and here's what it said to do. It said to put a layer of silicone on the bottom of the tank and then let it sit until you can't smell it anymore. That's what I think would be good. The fish could also maybe bite the styrofoam and choke or get an infection or somting. Well HTH ;D
 

dattack

Large Fish
Oct 22, 2002
982
0
0
#4
Styrofoam is totally safe for fish tanks.  People have made interesting rock and cave formations for their aquarium and it looks awesome, especially for african cichlids.  They have also used it to place their rocks on without ill effects.  Here are some sites.  I can't remember the third site though but it was also good.


http://www.thekrib.com/TankHardware/janne.html

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fishyweb/
 

Somonas

Superstar Fish
Oct 22, 2002
2,061
0
0
46
O-town
www.myfishtank.net
#5
I agree - I use the thin pink sheets - they are 1/2" thick and it's very easy to work with, just make sure that any burrs or excess bits are removed.  You don't want to use the white sheets of styrofoam because the little balls on that type could fall off and cause problems.