good base for hardwood floors?

tiller25 · 07/19/2009, 03:42 PM

i am finally ready to set-up my 120g but just have a question before doing so. my tank will be on a wooden stand on hard wood floors, does anybody know of a good base for between the hardwoods and stand? thanks, i am sure i will have a couple more questions before all said and done.

jayelblock · 07/19/2009, 04:14 PM

I'd like to hear some suggestions as well. I'm struggling with the same issue. We're getting ready to put down new hardwood floors, so I'm trying to decide on materials to layer up that won't discolor the floor but will protect it from water. Very clean white cotton sheet with plastic office chair mat over it? Frame up and paint a fiberglass shower pan? Anyone successful in preserving their wood floors?

divewsharks · 07/20/2009, 10:42 PM

i have had a tank/stand on my red oak hardwood floors for more than 4 years with no issues. the stand was directly sitting on the floor with a couple pieces of felt in the corners, as that allowed me to slide the tank when the water level was low.
i never had an issue with water, as any spills i keep a towel on the floor when i'm playing in the tank, and just cleaned up any drips/spills immediately.
as for discoloration, it wood depend on what type wood it how would age. if the tank would be on a floor such as red oak or natural cherry, and would be in a place that gets natural sunlight and the stand is now blocking that, you would have a lighter section of flooring once you moved the tank. florescent lighting tends not to age the floor (at least not nearly to the same degree as natural sunlight).

hth

Doahh · 07/20/2009, 10:45 PM

If you take one of those rubber backed industrial carpet things and put it under your stand rubber side up than you can slide your tank easily and just cut it to fit.
If your stand is nice and even it even creates a little seal so you have small flood insurance and if you spill some water behind your sump you don't have to worry too much about missing any

divewsharks · 07/20/2009, 11:42 PM

my fear with that, cause i did consider it, was that if there is a spill the fibers of the carpet can soak up the water, and keep under the stand where you cannot get to it to dry it.

tiller25 · 07/21/2009, 09:50 PM

thanks for the tips. that was my concern with carpet as well. in this situation sunlight will not be a factor as the floor is not directly exposed. once again, thanks for the replies.

goochesfish · 07/21/2009, 11:07 PM

my stand is directly on new walnut floors and am just hoping that when tank gets filled tomorrow, it won't get wet. Wishful thinking!

chi3f · 07/21/2009, 11:22 PM

i don't suggest this

chi3f · 07/21/2009, 11:22 PM

i would probbly put some kind of laminent down

chi3f · 07/21/2009, 11:23 PM

i had a 50 gl. reef on a hardwood floor and i wasn't pretty moved

chi3f · 07/21/2009, 11:24 PM

when i moved it it was the biggest mess i've seen and it wasn't from the tank overflowing it was from me makinga messs in and out fo the tank!!!!!!

chi3f · 07/21/2009, 11:26 PM

listen to the suggestions!!!!! and plz don't do it!!!!

divewsharks · 07/22/2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by goochesfish
my stand is directly on new walnut floors and am just hoping that when tank gets filled tomorrow, it won't get wet. Wishful thinking!

my floor almost never gets wet from water changes, that is normally pretty easy to control. it gets wet from me putting in / taking out, my arm in the tank and water dripping off my arm and forcepts and such. using microfiber towels, i can easily and quickly clean up the water.

there is the potential for salt spray from your sump out the back of the stand if your stand has a open back. if you leave yourself enough room of the wall you can clean that as well. on my new stand (which i put in place a month ago) i closed the back except for a few holes for cable runs.

i have moved my tank in the last 4+ years (including a month ago) so i know exactly what it looks like under my stand, and there were no issues and you shouldn't either if tank proper precautions and clean up water immediately upon spilling, not giving it time to do any damage.

fishuntbike · 07/22/2009, 06:15 AM

I also have a hardwood floor, I bought a rubber black mat from Menards (sold per foot) facing up is the side with shallow grooves and facing the floor is the smooth side that way I can swing the tank with less effort provided water is halfway tank. Did also on my sump inside cabinet.

fishuntbike · 07/22/2009, 06:20 AM

I also pick up extra 4 feet of this black mat to use in front of the tank when I do maintenance...no worry about spills and when done just roll it and keep it somewhere.

messina06 · 07/22/2009, 08:05 AM

I am actually going to face this tmrw as I am moving my tank. I would imagine tha tthere is some type of material at either lowes/home depot that i would be able to buy. Has anyone bought any material their for this specific purpose?

07/19/2009, 03:42 PM	#1
tiller25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 137	good base for hardwood floors? i am finally ready to set-up my 120g but just have a question before doing so. my tank will be on a wooden stand on hard wood floors, does anybody know of a good base for between the hardwoods and stand? thanks, i am sure i will have a couple more questions before all said and done. __________________ I know that one day, human beings and fish can coexist peacefully.

07/20/2009, 10:45 PM	#4
Doahh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Loomis CA Posts: 2,398	If you take one of those rubber backed industrial carpet things and put it under your stand rubber side up than you can slide your tank easily and just cut it to fit. If your stand is nice and even it even creates a little seal so you have small flood insurance and if you spill some water behind your sump you don't have to worry too much about missing any __________________ -Josh Current Tank Info: 90 Gal Custom SW Reef

07/21/2009, 09:50 PM	#6
tiller25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 137	thanks for the tips. that was my concern with carpet as well. in this situation sunlight will not be a factor as the floor is not directly exposed. once again, thanks for the replies. __________________ I know that one day, human beings and fish can coexist peacefully.

07/19/2009, 04:14 PM	#2
jayelblock Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: tulsa Posts: 408	I'd like to hear some suggestions as well. I'm struggling with the same issue. We're getting ready to put down new hardwood floors, so I'm trying to decide on materials to layer up that won't discolor the floor but will protect it from water. Very clean white cotton sheet with plastic office chair mat over it? Frame up and paint a fiberglass shower pan? Anyone successful in preserving their wood floors?

07/20/2009, 10:42 PM	#3
divewsharks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,905	i have had a tank/stand on my red oak hardwood floors for more than 4 years with no issues. the stand was directly sitting on the floor with a couple pieces of felt in the corners, as that allowed me to slide the tank when the water level was low. i never had an issue with water, as any spills i keep a towel on the floor when i'm playing in the tank, and just cleaned up any drips/spills immediately. as for discoloration, it wood depend on what type wood it how would age. if the tank would be on a floor such as red oak or natural cherry, and would be in a place that gets natural sunlight and the stand is now blocking that, you would have a lighter section of flooring once you moved the tank. florescent lighting tends not to age the floor (at least not nearly to the same degree as natural sunlight). hth

07/20/2009, 11:42 PM	#5
divewsharks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,905	my fear with that, cause i did consider it, was that if there is a spill the fibers of the carpet can soak up the water, and keep under the stand where you cannot get to it to dry it.

07/21/2009, 11:07 PM	#7
goochesfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,305	my stand is directly on new walnut floors and am just hoping that when tank gets filled tomorrow, it won't get wet. Wishful thinking!

07/21/2009, 11:22 PM	#8
chi3f Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 51	i don't suggest this

07/21/2009, 11:23 PM	#10
chi3f Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 51	i had a 50 gl. reef on a hardwood floor and i wasn't pretty moved

07/21/2009, 11:24 PM	#11
chi3f Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 51	when i moved it it was the biggest mess i've seen and it wasn't from the tank overflowing it was from me makinga messs in and out fo the tank!!!!!!

07/21/2009, 11:26 PM	#12
chi3f Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 51	listen to the suggestions!!!!! and plz don't do it!!!!

07/22/2009, 06:15 AM	#14
fishuntbike Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Round Lake Beach, IL Posts: 597	I also have a hardwood floor, I bought a rubber black mat from Menards (sold per foot) facing up is the side with shallow grooves and facing the floor is the smooth side that way I can swing the tank with less effort provided water is halfway tank. Did also on my sump inside cabinet.

07/22/2009, 06:20 AM	#15
fishuntbike Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Round Lake Beach, IL Posts: 597	I also pick up extra 4 feet of this black mat to use in front of the tank when I do maintenance...no worry about spills and when done just roll it and keep it somewhere.

07/22/2009, 08:05 AM	#16
messina06 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: ft lauderdale, FL Posts: 364	I am actually going to face this tmrw as I am moving my tank. I would imagine tha tthere is some type of material at either lowes/home depot that i would be able to buy. Has anyone bought any material their for this specific purpose?