Tank on hardwood floor

[Anonymous]

In the house we are getting in Houston the entire first floor is hardwood. Any precautions I should do? Anyone have experience with tanks on hard wood floor? I really do not want to put the tank in the second floor game room.

 

[Anonymous]

I have my tank(s) on hardwood floor, only real precautions to take is knowing you'll be refinishing them afterwards if you spill as much water as I have.

 

[Anonymous]

I really messed up some hardfloors with my old 155. I'm a sloppy reefkeeper though, and the floors needed to be refinished anyways, so I didn't care all too much.

 

[Anonymous]

We are having the floors redone in a month or two. I plan to make a hardwood tray that goes under the stand with a 2 inch lip that comes about out about 4 inches around the tank. It will be sealed with epoxy paint and may have a drain to the crawlspace (the sump is already under there so the whole in the floor already exists.

Of course, if there is a big spill, the water will get under the tray and do damage, but for day to day stuff, it should be helpful.

 

[liquid]

What sfsuphysics said. You will have to refinish them and be prepared for the potential for water damage/staining. I had to use wood bleach on the area directly under my tank on my oak hardwood floors before I could even begin to refinish them. It only takes one large spill to get under your stand to do some serious damage. :/ Since then, I've moved the tank downstairs to a cement floor and haven't had any problems there.

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

May be I'll put it in the game room for the time being. Wife has agreed for an in the wall 6ft tank one the house is furnished. It might be OK to have it in the game room for a year or so.

 

[Anonymous]

How about using some Dri-Dek?

I stuck this under my nanos that were on wood furniture and the wood is fine. Just make sure you get adequate air flow underneath the stand to dry it all out after a spill.

 

[WRASSER]

Dont drag anything it will scratch :wink:

 

[liquid]

I stuck this under my nanos that were on wood furniture and the wood is fine.

How long did you have your tank setup on that?

FWIW, I had my tank on hardwood for 3 yrs...

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

I stuck this under my nanos that were on wood furniture and the wood is fine.

How long did you have your tank setup on that?

FWIW, I had my tank on hardwood for 3 yrs...

Shane

A year. And I spilled a lot. It was a braceless tank. I would just put paper towels on the sides and it wicked it out. If there was anything major I just put a fan near it.

 

[mattstewart]

how bout just putting a rug underneath the tank. that might help for most of the minor spills.

 

[mike90]

i like the rug idea

 

[Anonymous]

how bout just putting a rug underneath the tank. that might help for most of the minor spills.

A rug just soaks up the water, and holds it there to rot the wood. It would actually wick the water underneath the stand. What you want is something waterproof that can allow air flow to dry any spills out.

 

[Anonymous]

how bout just putting a rug underneath the tank. that might help for most of the minor spills.

A rug just soaks up the water, and holds it there to rot the wood. It would actually wick the water underneath the stand. What you want is something waterproof that can allow air flow to dry any spills out.

That is exactally what I was thinking. Ruggs on hardwood bad.

 

[bradl.]

My hardwood is starting to look bad in front of my 55.Dark between the boards. When I do water changes I try to remember and throw down towels.My 240 will cover the bad spots. :lol:

 

[shellshocked]

A tank on hardwoods is no problem if you are half way careful. I have had one for years. I have a piece of carpet pad and a piece of carpet that I had trimmed about six inches bigger than the footprint of the stand. I am careful not to spill a lot of water but some spillage is not a problem. I tore the tank down a few months ago and the floor looked like new under the tank. It may also depend on the type of hardwood. Prefinished hardwood will allow water to seep between the joints. Hardwoods that are finished after sealed and water does not have as much opportunity to penetrate the floor.

 

[Anonymous]

Can't you put down tiles under the tank?

 

[Anonymous]

Can't you put down tiles under the tank?

I would rather not. I have been give preliminary approval for an in the wall tank in the foyer. So my 60 cube will only be set up for a year or so. I do not want to tear up the floor for just a year.