How to place 240 gallon tank and stand on wooden floor
- Thread starter Outerbank
- Start date
Itaysworld
Premium Member
Hey Scott - I'm by no means an expert, but I went to a local sporting store and bought interlocking foam pads meant for exercise equipment and workout areas.
I have had my full 180 gallon tank on these pad for a little over a week now, and they seem to be holding up great.
We have hard woods and my wife and I made it a priority to get some sort of protection from the weight and its concentration around the rims of the tank.
( I also had a to reinforce the floors to support the weight of the tank. Had the 2 floor joists running under where the aquarium stands sandwiched with 2 additional joists each and then scattered 2x10 along between the joists, but that was for structural reasons, not protecting the hard wood floors)
More details here, but this is what it looks like:
Good luck! Itay.
I have had my full 180 gallon tank on these pad for a little over a week now, and they seem to be holding up great.
We have hard woods and my wife and I made it a priority to get some sort of protection from the weight and its concentration around the rims of the tank.
( I also had a to reinforce the floors to support the weight of the tank. Had the 2 floor joists running under where the aquarium stands sandwiched with 2 additional joists each and then scattered 2x10 along between the joists, but that was for structural reasons, not protecting the hard wood floors)
More details here, but this is what it looks like:
Good luck! Itay.
FFrankie
New member
If moisture gets underneath that padding you can kiss that finish goodbye. The finish on that floor is a water base. That is prefinished Bruce hard wood flooring with a 7 layer aluminum oxide finish. Very good floor btw. 
The best way to protect a wood floor from a tank is to run cotton felt. I would use 2x4 stringers with the felt under them. The cotton won't hold moisture long term and the stringers will allow you to get under the stand for cleaning. 1 1/2" space is perfect for a swifter to get under.
The best way to protect a wood floor from a tank is to run cotton felt. I would use 2x4 stringers with the felt under them. The cotton won't hold moisture long term and the stringers will allow you to get under the stand for cleaning. 1 1/2" space is perfect for a swifter to get under.
Itaysworld
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12801702#post12801702 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FFrankie
If moisture gets underneath that padding you can kiss that finish goodbye. The finish on that floor is a water base. That is prefinished Bruce hard wood flooring with a 7 layer aluminum oxide finish. Very good floor btw.
The best way to protect a wood floor from a tank is to run cotton felt. I would use 2x4 stringers with the felt under them. The cotton won't hold moisture long term and the stringers will allow you to get under the stand for cleaning. 1 1/2" space is perfect for a swifter to get under.
GREAT EYE FFrankie!
you're good! I see by your info that its your profession.Outerbank - excuse the temporary hijacking of your thread....
Given that I went with this set up... and at this point I'm committed to it, is there anything I can do to protect the floor? I added a lip at the back of the stand so that if I do get some water it will catch and pool in the bottom of the stand long enough for me to do something about it (provided I'm at home and I catch it in time). I GOOPed the seams...
If the finish on the wood were to get damaged, it can be refinished, right? I was more concerned with the weight of the whole system damaging the floor.
Thanks in advance!
Itaysworld
Premium Member
GREAT to know
I'm not renting, but my wife would evict me just like a bad tenant if I make a mess out of the floors - HAHA
I made an investment in reinforcing the structure of our house for my tank build. But I will return this thead to Outerbank.
You can check out my build here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1403283
