Large Tank Question?

[Dyraxe]

I know I should remove the carpet and pad from under this tank to be on the safe side but I don't think it's an option for me. I don't want to cut a whole in the carpet in the center of this room if possible.

Am I crazy for trying this without removing the carpet? I have checked for imperfections in the ground and it seems to be all clear. The tank is built very solid( built it myself) and it sits perfectly level.

I am doing a 180g as an island and want to be able to walk completely around the tank. I plan to run my electric from the ceiling so you will not see any of it once i put my hood on.

 

[Kiel'thalin]

The question is do you think you will ever need to replace the carpet down the road before the tank is moved? I would have a flooring guy come in and cut the hole around the tank and tack it in flush to the tank. Should be less than $50 labor.

 

[Untamed12]

I would imagine that the weight of the tank will compress the carpet pretty completely, so the tank/stand will still be stable. A smaller tank would be less stable on a squishy surface.

You aren't going to be able to save that carpet anyway. After a short period of time, the carpet will be permanently flattened anyway. If you ever move the tank, you'll need to replace the carpet anyway.

You might as well cut it out now.

 

[Dyraxe]

The carpet is brand new so I'm suck with it for awhile lol. I'll most likely sell the house before I need new flooring. I just want to know if you heard of or had a tank crack/break from being on carpet. What is the chance of it happening to a tank that is on a very strong stand and the tank itself has the black plastic 2 inch trim for support (It's a new All Glass Tank). I'm trying my best not to cut a hole in the carpet unless there is no other way.

The stand is built the same exact way Marko9 built his 180G

 

[Kiel'thalin]

If you cut the hole in the carpet for the tank, you can seal up to the tank. Once you do spill water on the floor you will stand less chance of the water going up under the tank through the carpet and rotting the floor because it will probably never get dry once it wicks up under the tank... The carpet is toast under the tank anyways.

 

[Dyraxe]

Karma is going to come and bite me on the arse for saying this but in the past 3 years the most I ever spilled was 2 pints of salt water (due to moving the tank). This 125 gallon tank was also on top of the carpet and after I sold it I just steam cleaned the carpet and it look like brand new. I am asking can a 180 gallon tank size be placed on top of carpet? Does anyone know of anyone attempting this? Does anyone know of anyone who had a tank fail due to this? My personal experience with a 125 gallon tank on carpet was no problems at all. My 125 had a real crappy stand too. The thing is I hear from a lot of people that it is not the best idea which I agree with and understand. I'm just curious to see if anyone else out there is doing this.

 

[Black Mammoth]

OK. There is a lot of speculation in this thread.

If you spill water, it will eventually dry up. It may not go in a day or even two, but it will go away. Mold will not be a problem. Mold needs a continuous supply of water. It will die off.

Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is about putting a tank on carpet, especially at the larger sizes. We are talking about thousands of pounds. It will compress the carpet and padding. You could be off a little bit in a few spots. However, it shouldn't be that much and that could be the difference in your sub-flooring. If you are off, you can correct the issue.

Now, will the carpet and padding every decompress after your done? It might, but probably not likely.

OK, so am I saying to put it on carpet? No. But I think some of the concerns are overblown. You can try it and if the carpet is damaged, you can replace that section. Not all carpet seams are noticeable. Then again, you can just take it out now and have it put back in when you are done. It might save you some money because you could probably reuse the carpet you pulled out.

 

[bag151]

I had my 180g set up on carpet and structurally it is no big deal. The carpet is uniform in thickness so it will compress fairly uniform. If its level will will stay that way. I placed shower liner underneath the tank to prevent the occasional spilt water from going under the tank. I even had a nice flood and didn't have any problems with mold in the carpet under the tank. My friend did the same but it didn't dry out fast enough and he ended up with nice black mold stains under the tank.

Yes the carpet will dry and the mold will die, but that black stain will stay there.

My suggestion, go to Home Depot and buy a a nice long section of plastic mat. Lay it down everytime you get in and out of the tank and everything will be ok, the carpet in front of the tank will be a bigger target for mold then under the tank unless you have a large spill. I used a mat for my last tank and it worked like a charm, I would give you mine but your a bit far. I switched to concrete floors