Protecting Carpet

[MeteorFlower]

Hi everyone, I have a question I was hoping y'all could help me with. I'm a college student living at home with my dad, and we're currently discussing the possibility of setting up a large (200+ gallon) FOWLR tank in our living room. While he's not completely opposed to the idea, he is worried about protecting our new carpet, which was put down about a year ago. I feel his concerns may be justified, because when I recently moved my first fish tank (a 55 gallon freshwater) out of our hardwood floored study, I found a huge patch of black mold where water got under the stand. Luckily, he didn't murder me So my question is this: for those of you that have taken steps to protect your floors from your aquariums, how have you done it? My boyfriend was going to build my stand for me, and he said we could simply add short legs to the stand to allow for air flow underneath the tank... would that work? Thanks!

[aquasport24]

You can try to place some type of drip pan with a drain inside the stand and place the sump and all the equipments inside the pan to catch all water leaks. But that still not 100% guarantee. Accidents happen all the time in this hobby...good luck.

[princer7]

A well thought out water change plan will help reduce extra water everywhere. I've seen some pretty slick setups for water changes.

Agree with the pan with all the equipment in it. It can be a lifesaver.

Use a tank that is reef ready. That is a lot of water volume to end up on the floor if a hang on back overflow was to fail.

I was told that saltwater does not mold - still not good for the carpet (especially the smell).

[Bill S]

I was told that saltwater does not mold - still not good for the carpet (especially the smell).

Mold is a mariner's nightmare. We have to fight it constantly.

I don't care what you do. You ARE going to spill water. It's just a part of the hobby. I do like the pan idea, though.

[princer7]

Mold is a mariner's nightmare. We have to fight it constantly.

Yeah, I was afraid it was a tall tale. Sure did make my husband feel better though.

[prof]

You could keep the stand off the floor. If you get a stand with legs as opposed to the usual flat bottom stand you will create airflow around the bottom and spilled water will dry faster and cause much less damage.

Even if you manage to never spill water you will probably destroy the carpet pad from the sheer weight of the stand and tank.

[hobogato]

Even if you manage to never spill water you will probably destroy the carpet pad from the sheer weight of the stand and tank.

short feet would work, just be sure they are structurally sound. also, the trick to getting the carpet to recover from being smashed is ice and a vaccum.

pour crushed ice on the smashed area and let it melt and dry, then, when you vaccum over it, it will pull the carpet back up. you may have to do it a couple of times, but it usually works.

[LoneStar]

pour crushed ice on the smashed area and let it melt and dry, then, when you vaccum over it, it will pull the carpet back up. you may have to do it a couple of times, but it usually works.

I'll have to remember that one!

[brewercm]

All this information we learn on this site.

[MeteorFlower]

Wow, those are all great ideas. Thanks, everyone!