What makes a good bottom to protect against water damage

[seldin]

I have a nano tank with a black wooden cabinet. The black cabinet looks great, but the top is getting damaged from water damage when I do maintenance.

I want to put a 22 inch by 22 inch piece of something to place above stand and below the tank. Basically, it will cover the stand.

Can you tell me what materials I can use to protect against water damage for the cover of my tank stand.

I have an old wooden stand on my display tank that is over 15 years old and that wooden stand, never got damaged from the numerous water accidents over the years, yet the black wooden stand is getting damaged from even minor water drips.

Thank you,

 

[basiab]

They don't make things like they used to. Was the old stand just unpainted and unvarnished. Thay would make a difference.
You can put styrofoam or a thin rubber mat .
The problem with finished wood is that it will likely get damaged even without spills unless air can get in. If you ever saw glass covered furniture, the glass is raised using cork or rubber etc.

 

[thirty5]

Nano stands are most likely made of press board so the water really seeps into them. I have the same prob with mine. While I make sure that I am constantly wiping the tank while I am working on it. Problem may be that if you put something on the stand and the tank on top, you may run the risk of water getting under whatever you use, and that might be worse. I guess an easy fix is just to take something and sort of cover the tank at the the bottom.

Maybe even use a couple of towels and wrap them around the tank (bottom middle) and sorta let them drape down to cover the stand. Maybe secure them with a bungee cord or even piece of string. Then you don't have to worry about getting water in between the tank and the stand. Just take the towels off and throw them in the wash when you are done.

 

[seldin]

I have a Solana cube and the tank stand is a black finish. However, around the tank is a couple of inch border of black wood top. I have seen another guy who put a piece of granite underneath the tank and was thinking to do something similar. Just trying to find out what type of woods or other material would work well.

The rubber mat can do it. I guess I am thinking of something a little more fancy than a rubber mat and less expensive than granite.

 

[mbg75]

Paint a piece of plexi black on the back side, and silicone it in place, then no water under it.

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[seldin]

Guys,

I ended up going with a piece of granite. It actually did not break the budget because it is only one piece. I asked the yard to show me where the left over pieces are located and they cut it for me.