Question About Material Under New Tank

[Def Leppard Hysteria]

Hi, everyone. Long time lurker, first time poster. My wife and I just purchased a 300 Gallon Deep Dimension tank, stand, and canopy to house our 10+ year old Fly River Turtle. The tank and other parts are supposed to be delivered in 2-4 weeks.

In the meantime, we are trying to decide what to do with the carpet in the room where the tank will be placed. We plan on staying in our current house for a LONG time, most likely forever. With that in mind, the tank is going to be placed in our finished basement, which is carpeted and has concrete underneath. The question then becomes, do we put tile or some other type of flooring under and around where the tank will be placed? We're thinking that when it comes time to replace the carpet in the basement, it will make it so much easier to do. The tank will be placed up against a wall. So, we're thinking of coming off the wall about 42-48 inches with whatever type of flooring we end up selecting.

Any input on the subject is much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Mastiffman]

Hi, everyone. Long time lurker, first time poster. My wife and I just purchased a 300 Gallon Deep Dimension tank, stand, and canopy to house our 10+ year old Fly River Turtle. The tank and other parts are supposed to be delivered in 2-4 weeks.

In the meantime, we are trying to decide what to do with the carpet in the room where the tank will be placed. We plan on staying in our current house for a LONG time, most likely forever. With that in mind, the tank is going to be placed in our finished basement, which is carpeted and has concrete underneath. The question then becomes, do we put tile or some other type of flooring under and around where the tank will be placed? We're thinking that when it comes time to replace the carpet in the basement, it will make it so much easier to do. The tank will be placed up against a wall. So, we're thinking of coming off the wall about 42-48 inches with whatever type of flooring we end up selecting.

Any input on the subject is much appreciated. Thanks!

This is what I like to see. Planning ahead of time. Congrats!

On with the discussion! I would definitely do this if I were you... Decide what type of flooring you will want down there! If you want to even keep it bare or a sealed cement floor then buy all means make it happen. I would consider everything that you would if you were getting ready to install a new floor... I think that Tile is a great idea! If done properly, it can last a Very, very long time...

Considering that water weighs 8.34lbs/ gal. you are looking at around 2500lbs in water alone. Not taing into account the weight of the tank with substrate, decor and stand... So A flooring that will withstand that preasure will be important... A level surface as well. install will need to be premium. No on wants to see a crappy tile job... I would possibly even get all of the tile that you shoose to go with, Now, so you dion't have to worry about matching up the old (under the tank) with the new (rest of the basement.)

Anyway, I hope that I have helped out a bit.. If not, please accept my apologies for wasting your time!

P.S. BAD ***!!!!!! Love the avatar Name!~!!!!!!!

Are you gettin' it? Armegeddon it!

[YT]YI6Ms0b4q-4[/YT]

When this tank is done you are Going to "Rocket"

[YT]5o1G0GSiNQM[/YT]

And of course the title name!

[YT]v6R-LZ25Te0[/YT]

 

[bigbadfish711]

This is just any idea. I have not done this nor do I know of any one that has. If you decide to go carpet. Maybe have the carpet installer (or if you diy it yourselves) cut the carpet around the base of the stand. So the tank sites directly onto the concrete floor. You could even leave a section in the back next to the wall so it looks seamless. This way if in 5 or 10 years you wanted to change the carpet you would not have to move the tank just remove the carpet and replace it. But if you ever wanted to move the tank to another spot you would have an issue with the bare spot. Just a thought.

 

[Def Leppard Hysteria]

Thanks for the input, guys! Right now, we have carpet in the whole basement. But, we also have 3 dogs. So, I'm guessing we'll be replacing the carpet within the next 5-6 years, if not sooner. I guess the biggest issue is do we cut out a section of carpet now, where the tank will go, so it will be easier to make a clean look when it's time to replace the carpet? Do you think a tile, or slate can withstand the weight of the tank, stand, etc?

bigbadfish711 - I love your idea. The only problem is we already have the carpet installed and no tank, yet. Unfortunately, the basement was already finished.

Mastiffman - LOVE the Def Leppard videos, too funny! We've decided to make this a show piece in our finished area of the basement, so carpet is already there. I guess the question becomes do we cut around the spot where the tank is going to go and install some type of tile, slate, laminate, etc. in that area? I guess we could leave the carpet the way it is, put the tank on it, and when it comes time to replace the carpet in the rest of the basement, just cut around the tank. But, the carpet underneath could get pretty old being under a 300 gallon tank for, hopefully, many, many, many years. I don't know if that would matter or not, just trying to plan ahead and not have another one of those, "dang it", moments.

 

[Piscine]

I'd just put it on the carpet and wait until it comes time to replace it to worry about it. There is a chance that you will want to rearrange things and move the aquarium. It would really suck to have that place already tiled, then decide you want it on the other side of the basement.

 

[bigbadfish711]

I'd just put it on the carpet and wait until it comes time to replace it to worry about it. There is a chance that you will want to rearrange things and move the aquarium. It would really suck to have that place already tiled, then decide you want it on the other side of the basement.

Yeah I wouldn't do that. If you not planning on moving the tank in the future or do not want to have to move the tank I would defiantly cut the section off carpet out. When you get the stand for the tank. Sit the stand on the carpet where you want it. Measure to make sure there is enough room between the tank, stand, and wall. Then cut around the bottom of the stand. Move the stand remove the carpet section you cut out and replace the stand. You may want to cut the section between the the stand and the wall in-half. So when it comes time to replace the carpet you can just pull it out.

I have never worked with tile, but have seen some huge tanks sit on tile flooring with out issue. If you do decide to go with tile under the tank then I would buy some go quality tile. Some one at home depot should be able to answer how sturdy the tile will be.

 

[Def Leppard Hysteria]

Yeah I wouldn't do that. If you not planning on moving the tank in the future or do not want to have to move the tank I would defiantly cut the section off carpet out. When you get the stand for the tank. Sit the stand on the carpet where you want it. Measure to make sure there is enough room between the tank, stand, and wall. Then cut around the bottom of the stand. Move the stand remove the carpet section you cut out and replace the stand. You may want to cut the section between the the stand and the wall in-half. So when it comes time to replace the carpet you can just pull it out.

I have never worked with tile, but have seen some huge tanks sit on tile flooring with out issue. If you do decide to go with tile under the tank then I would buy some go quality tile. Some one at home depot should be able to answer how sturdy the tile will be.

That's a really good idea, bigbadfish711. If we don't do the tile, I think we will do as you suggested with cutting the carpet out using the stand as a template. We going to go to Lowe's/Home Depot tomorrow and check out their tile and seek some opinions from the "professionals".

Thanks again!