Is tank on hardwood floors a bad idea?
 

I am moving into a new house with hardwood floors. I have a 55gallon tank that I want to setup as a reef tank (converting from freshwater).

Is there anyone that can share some stories or insight on placing tanks on hardwood floors? Will the weight cause dents/damage to the floor?

If it will cause damage, is there anyway to prevent this?

Thanks!

I have my 33g on hwf with the load spread on 1.5" sp per leg. I have felt on the footings and i much prefer this to being on carpet. I can easily slide my stand around (gently) so that i can get behind etc. My floors are Oak. Just spread the load as much as possible.

I am also moving to a house with hardwood floors and I am planning on placing my 55 gal and stand on a thick rubber mat. This will protect the wood floors from denting, scratching and water damage. If water were to get under your stand and into the hardwood it could easily rot the wood and cause some warping. Better safe then sorry.

I also have a rubber mat that I placed under the tank with a lip that curves upwards. So far so good.

I have my 90 on HW it is fine until my skimmer overflowed yesterday and a few of the boards around the tank are curled :sad:

Yea, but if you put that rubber mat under the tank and you spill any water around the tank it will be stuck between the rubber and the hardwood till the wood absorbs it and wrecks your floor. Best bet are usiing those felt pads or other pads to rasie the tank off the floor a little and preventing it from being scratched. My 2cents. I have 2 tanks both on hardwood and am not too worriend about it. Also, having leveling legs on a stand would be a good idea too, since the floor may not be perfectly level.

For the same reason i am glad my 33g is on felt as i had a hose leak and alot of water hit the deck. I slid the tank over and dried up the mess, then put it back. The rubber pad may prevent you from drying up which will definately affect your floor. My 1 cent worth. Good luck!

water and humidity and hardwood floors don't mix very well.:(

In my old place had the 75g direct on the HW with no problems. Stand had four adjustable feet each probably no more than 1.5" diameter and didn't leave a depression when I moved it after 3+ years.

I didn't place a mat as was more concerned that if I had a spill the water would be trapped. This came partly as when I moved into the house it had carpet throughout, with the original maple HW underneath. When I stripped the carpet there was an area by the door of the bathroom where the wood was warped, so thinking better if wet to dry right away.

Fish tank aside, have split water, beer, juice, milk, had pee etc. on the wood (wondering my lifestyle eh?), with no damage as cleaned up immediately.

What about laminate floors? Anyone ever have any problem with water seaping in through the seams?

Thanx much,