Setting tank on something(underneath stand)?

StephenRU · 07/07/2016, 08:46 PM

Have any of you guys set up your tank on some type of mat, foam, etc. underneath the stand? I am bringing in a 180 gallon tank to my house it will be on a tile floor in the basement, just wondering if there is a good approach to setting the tank on something, I'm not too concerned about damaging the floor, just for peace of mind.

Thanks
Steve

OrQidz · 07/07/2016, 08:55 PM

Are you using a stand? I'm assuming so, but it almost sounds like you're sitting the tank on the floor? I don't think you need to put anything under the stand. If anything, putting something cushiony under it might allow the stand + tank to shift around which is not good. Just make sure it's all level.

A tank with a frame doesn't need to sit on a mat or anything; the frame supports it. I think people usually put a mat under rimless tanks though.

CindyK · 07/07/2016, 09:08 PM

We have hardwood floors and we got a rubber backed mat (that is supposed to look like carpet, but isn't) to put under the stand to protect against spills and such. It won't do anything to protect against catastrophic events like a tank failure, it's just for clumsy sloshes. It's also really ugly. I haven't started my build yet because we are having the floors refinished soon, and I don't want to break the tank back down when its just starting up. I don't think I'm going to use it - I'm worried that if it gets wet it will just stink. AND, it's REALLY REALLY UGLY.

Sk8r · 07/08/2016, 10:03 AM

If it gets wet you will have mold that can be psychoactive for some sensitive people. I'd take out the mat and go with a water alarm inside the stand, where most leaks come first. Maybe another on the floor. And wipe up any water spill immediately.

Sapelo · 07/08/2016, 05:36 PM

We have a thin rubber mat under our tank complements of the former tank owner. I wish we did not have said mat. Everything gets under it and cleaning is hard. If removing it didn't mean draining a...yeah, we will live with it for now but never again.

thegrun · 07/08/2016, 06:34 PM

I keep my stands on small nylon furniture pads so it is up off the floor, this allows air under the stand and prevents the stand from absorbing water if it's wood or rusting if it is metal. It also allows you to push paper towels under the stand to absorb small spills.

07/07/2016, 08:46 PM	#1
StephenRU Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 66	Setting tank on something(underneath stand)? Have any of you guys set up your tank on some type of mat, foam, etc. underneath the stand? I am bringing in a 180 gallon tank to my house it will be on a tile floor in the basement, just wondering if there is a good approach to setting the tank on something, I'm not too concerned about damaging the floor, just for peace of mind. Thanks Steve

07/08/2016, 10:03 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If it gets wet you will have mold that can be psychoactive for some sensitive people. I'd take out the mat and go with a water alarm inside the stand, where most leaks come first. Maybe another on the floor. And wipe up any water spill immediately. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/08/2016, 05:36 PM	#5
Sapelo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: North Georgia Posts: 869	We have a thin rubber mat under our tank complements of the former tank owner. I wish we did not have said mat. Everything gets under it and cleaning is hard. If removing it didn't mean draining a...yeah, we will live with it for now but never again. __________________ "When the last individual of a race of living beings breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again." William Beebe Current Tank Info: 300 gallon DD, sps, Radion G3 Pros, etc. Too many fish and not enough coral...

07/07/2016, 08:55 PM	#2
OrQidz Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 825	Are you using a stand? I'm assuming so, but it almost sounds like you're sitting the tank on the floor? I don't think you need to put anything under the stand. If anything, putting something cushiony under it might allow the stand + tank to shift around which is not good. Just make sure it's all level. A tank with a frame doesn't need to sit on a mat or anything; the frame supports it. I think people usually put a mat under rimless tanks though.

07/07/2016, 09:08 PM	#3
CindyK Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 268	We have hardwood floors and we got a rubber backed mat (that is supposed to look like carpet, but isn't) to put under the stand to protect against spills and such. It won't do anything to protect against catastrophic events like a tank failure, it's just for clumsy sloshes. It's also really ugly. I haven't started my build yet because we are having the floors refinished soon, and I don't want to break the tank back down when its just starting up. I don't think I'm going to use it - I'm worried that if it gets wet it will just stink. AND, it's REALLY REALLY UGLY.

07/08/2016, 06:34 PM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I keep my stands on small nylon furniture pads so it is up off the floor, this allows air under the stand and prevents the stand from absorbing water if it's wood or rusting if it is metal. It also allows you to push paper towels under the stand to absorb small spills.