Setting tank on something(underneath stand)?

[StephenRU]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.