Tank Stand - Solid Footprint, or Framed?

[Desert Aquarium]

For those of you who have built their stands, and carpet being a consideration:

When you built your stands, did you make the footprint/floor contact one large surface, or did you build the stand with just a "framed" footprint/contact area?

I'm curious as to how the carpet will hold up to 800#s.

 

[ChemE]

I did just the frame for the stand for my 55. 12 months later still no problems.

 

[Desert Aquarium]

Tonight I start building my stand replacement.

The old stand is solid bottomed, and holds my 55 on top, and a 10 inside with lots of waisted space for looks.

I will be building a new stand to support my 55 on top, and another 55 inside, for a total 110G capacity. That is a lot of weight. And though I know the stand will be fine, the carpet and pad I worry about.

Thanks!

 

[Qwiv]

Just a warning, you can pretty much guaranteen the carpet to be junk under a fish tanks stand after a while. If you make it a solid bottom, it will be worse as there is no way to clean what gets trapped under it like water, etc. Small tanks on post legs wear the best on carpet, because you can clean under the tank.

 

[bllfish]

Since you probably will not be moving the tank, I would cut the carpet to the footprint of the base and make a solid bottom. Make it large enough to hold some type of pan that will catch the inevitable spills and I would also caulk the seams and paint the interior of the stand.
Removing the carpet will eliminate an elevated tank with old moldy carpet stuck under it when you eventually recarpet the room.

 

[Desert Aquarium]

I wish I could cut the carpet, but it is a rental.

 

[bllfish]

A rental, don't worry about it then. When you move they will be replacing it anyway. I like the full stand because you can hide a lot of stuff under there that really does not look too good out in the open. If I was building a stand I would have 2 large doors in front and I would have doors on the sides too. Easy access.

 

[spitefull]

i went solid bottom on my 250 and 110, i have a raised section 4'' all around siliconed water tight, couldnt tell you how many dumb things have happened but never a wet carpet!! now when i moved the 110 the carpet was VERY clean but it would never come up no matter what i did,so now i have a very clean low spot, cheers

 

[6Speed]

I just used a framed bottom. I did, however, lay down a large piece of linoleum under the stand to protect my wood floors from water.

 

[Desert Aquarium]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7875512#post7875512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spitefull
i went solid bottom on my 250 and 110, i have a raised section 4'' all around siliconed water tight, couldnt tell you how many dumb things have happened but never a wet carpet!! now when i moved the 110 the carpet was VERY clean but it would never come up no matter what i did,so now i have a very clean low spot, cheers

I like the idea of the 4" area. Mine wont be as deep, but I'll have about 1.5" of water tight lip around the inside.