Need help with tank redesign

[Uel]

I had an overflow box leak and ruined my hardwood floor. I'm having to break the tanks down and move them out this weekend. I'm debating putting hardwood back down or vinyl. I'm looking for suggestions on leak prevention and containment. I don't think there is any such thing as a leak proof tank. I want to put wood back down (any finish suggestions would be appreciated as well), but not if I'll just have this problem again.

The 55 is not reef ready, the 180 is reef ready. I have purchased a Dolphin 3500 pump to run both tanks. I would like to drill the 55, but I'm not sure of what I'm doing. I'm also purchasing a bigger sump. I'm not sure if I want to use the existing returns or build something to come over the back out of PVC pipe and open up all the predrilled holes to be used as drains.

I would also like suggestions on making the tank quieter. I have durso pipes, I was thinking along the lines of padding, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[geo]

[moved]

 

[Uel]

bump

 

[clkwrk]

As posted in the other thread about wood floors.


I currently have lots of tanks on my wood floor but it is a laminate floor and deals with moisture best .

Anyways if you want hardwood then go with on site sand and finish . This will give you great protection as with sand and finish the entire floor including seams are sealed not allowing moisture to penetrate it .

Also you can make sure you seal the inside of your stand so it is water proof and not allow water to leak out . This can be done with oilbased kills and caulking .

Also one the tank is reinstalled over the floor you can take a colormatched caulking and run around the the bottom of the stand . The caulking will not hurt the floor and will come of if the tank is moved at a latter date.

Also keep in mind the wood darkens with age and the area under the stand will not change as much with out sunlight . So saying 5 yrs from now .....heck even a year from now you could move the tank and see the color difference.

In the end laminates are also a good choice and there have been some really nice laminates that have hit the market in the last 3 years and I am not talking about stuff found at home depot or pergo .

Although the older glue together laminates offered the ultimate in water protection. Most are now click together with wax in the seams to help repell water.

HTH

 

[chrismunn]

PERGO

 

[clkwrk]

yuck!

 

[Im14abeer]

Agree with above yuck. Unless your tank is in the kitchen where Pergo is a fine choice.

 

[Uel]

Thanks guys. I think (my wife could change her mind ) we've decieded to go with hardwood again, but with a complete sand and refinish.

 

[Uel]

I was hoping for suggestions on the replumbing as well. I have upgraded the pump and I'm considering different return/drain options now. I'm thinking of 2 or 3 spray bar returns. One along the bottom, middle, and just under the surface. I have 2 Tunze 6100s and a 7095 controller. Has anyone used that many spray bars?