Quick Q....

[CWO4GUNNER]

One other thing be very careful to insure that the counter top usually constructed with an overhang to hold a couple hundred pounds or so for limited amount of time before warping. A 60 gallon tank with water, ornaments, sand, and HOB equipment can weigh in at 600 pounds. I would want to be very sure the counter top is constructed with enough vertical hardwood supports. Perhaps you can test it by having 3 men stand and walk around on this counter top and listen for creaking and cracking.

As far as the foam goes 1 " is probubly ideal but 1/2" should but just fine.

 

[Reframer]

A full 60 gallon with everything in it will prob weigh around 700, and just because the counter doesn't break right away doesn't mean it is safe or that it won't break in the future.
An aquarium that size should have proper stand IMO.

 

[calivivarium1]

Yeah, I don't have any pics from when the house was under construction. Okay, it seems like it will be a good idea then for me to double check again with one of the contractors who built the house. I have the stand sitting on the back porch, so it's not really too much (other than re-doing my aquascaping plans and getting a background, which is no big deal) to simply set the tank up on the stand if I have to.