Seeking advice about flooring and tanks

[Valeria]

I will be installing a large tank in the coming weeks and I need some advice. I was going to tile the basement "soon" but honestly there are many other projects that take priority so the tank will go in a carpeted area. I thought about removing the carpet that will be under and around the tank but and adding a transitional trim to keep the carpet down but it seems like that is not possible (according to the guys lowes .. something about stretching the carpet and special equipment). Then I thought about buying vinyl tile (roll) and setting it on top of the carpet but that will not look to great. The last option would be to set up the aquarium on top of the carpet which will result in a wet carpet. I'm I missing any other options? What is the least "evil" option?

[Dr.eclipse]

they make "fake" tile. they are in 12''x12'' squares, you can even put grout in it. it looks really nice.

i dont think you remember, but my kitchen was done it it.

[SunWyrm]

best option for the carpet- vinyl on top. best option forever- tile. I don't see why the trim idea wouldn't work though.

 

With so many spills and floods I'm so relieved I have tile in the basement with my large tanks.

 

Dr eclipse is that the "sticky tile"? That would work as well, even just tile that part that the tank is going to and leave carpet on the rest. I love that stuff-so easy.

[Dr.eclipse]

yeah its sticky on the bottom. its extremely easy to use. i did my kitchen and bathroom, and im only 15 ahah.

[Grav]

We normally put an aquarium on carpet. It all depends on your confidence in your ability to properly design and install the aquarium to afoid floods, overflows and the like.

 

That said, tile or other hard flooring is nice so you don't have to dry your hands after each dip in the pool. We just finished the epoxy and rexthain floor in the new showroom!!!

 

pw

[surf&turf]

Why not put some 3/4 inch plywood on top of the carpet, larger than the foot print of the tank and tile and trim out the exposed area's.

[Glenn]

Why not put some 3/4 inch plywood on top of the carpet, larger than the foot print of the tank and tile and trim out the exposed area's.

 

This is the idea I had - except I would build a 2x4 frame on top of the carpet then place the plywood on the frame.

[steveoutlaw]

If you are going to remove the carpet and tile directly to the concrete, make sure you have a professional level the concrete before you start laying any tile. They make a "floor leveler" for this specific purpose. I speak from experience.

[Coral Hind]

I would just place the tank on the carpet. If the carpet gets ruined underneath who cares, by the time you take the tank down the carpet will probably need to be replaced anyways. If you do cut out that area under the tank when you move it later on there will be this odd un-carpeted area so you will have to change out the carpet anyways.

[steveoutlaw]

The only reason that I could think of to remove the carpet would be mold/mildew from a spill and the carpet/pad retaining the water.

[Fazio92]

The only reason that I could think of to remove the carpet would be mold/mildew from a spill and the carpet/pad retaining the water.

 

+1, when i setup my new 320gal i just cut out the carpet where the stand sits incase there were a water problem. I could remove/pull back all the potential wet/molded carpet pieces without worry of moving the stand/tank (which would be impossible). As long as the carpet backs a wall, it will stay taught against the wall side tacking. If you were to look at my stand and carpet, you would never know carpet was missing unless you opened the stand doors. It was a matter of mold/flood pre-thought in-case something ever did happen, i wouldn't have to worry about health concerns (which i had a problem with at my other residence). If it ever did flood, then i would just pull the carpet out (not having to even think about touching the tank) and then just put in tile or something water resistant since there's a sump pump in the room anyhow. Just my 2 cents

 

-Anthony

[ErikS]

........... I thought about removing the carpet that will be under and around the tank but and adding a transitional trim to keep the carpet down but it seems like that is not possible (according to the guys lowes .. something about stretching the carpet and special equipment).............

Rule #1 - never listen to the chuckleheads @ the big box(es), like they have a clue. Removing the carpet is the best approach & should be no problem. depending on configuration you may want to re-think having carpet around the tank at all........if it's at all possible. Or make certain any leaks will be contained & can not get to the carpet. Otherwise it's - leak = wet carpet = moldy carpet = replace anyway. Accept it - there will be a leak @ some point.

 

I refuse to tell how I know about replacing an entire floor Upside in the basement it's a simple flooring remove/replace.

[CaptainRon]

I cut out my carpet and installed tile where the tank goes. My carpet was crap anyway so it was no risk for me. I liked the thought of having a tile border around the tank to help with drips. Of course I tend to be less carfeful than most people with stuff like that. Or I'm just naturally messy.

[Valeria]

Thanks guys. I know tile is the way to go but there are so many other items that take priority ... like setting up a tank

In my previous place the carpet got wet- not tank related but it did get wet and I need to avoid having wet moldy carpet.

 

For those of you who removed the carpet, how did you hold down the remaining carpet?

 

Thank you all for the comments I really appreciate it. I did not even think about the level concrete I will have to look into this.

[bcoop78]

To cut the carpet it depends where you are placing the tank... The big-box guy was partially right, as the carpet is indeed stretched, but I know from experience-(Construction Superintendent of 9 years) that you can take carpet up from the tack strip and then put it back without the carpet retracting... What I would do is figure out the exact dimensions of the area you want to remove, and then place something heavy between the chosen area and the opposite wall. This item needs to be very heavy and longer than the long axis of the area to be cut. This heavy object is to be placed a couple feet away from the area to be cut, as to hold the carpet down when you release it from the tack strip. I hope you are following me.... Once this object is in place, using a straight edge and a very sharp razor knife, cut the area to removed. Peel it up and install tack strip along the perimeter of the newly cut area. The pad does not go on the strip, only the carpet. This can then be finished by a number of different transitions... It's a bit of work, but well worth it if it is indeed what you are trying to do...

[londonloco]

Three years ago I joined a dog rescue (cairn terrier) and needed a place to keep puppy mill mama's while they were in my care being rehabilitated. I have a 4'x6' alcove in my den, I gated off that area for them, but that area was carpeted, I needed vinyl flooring as these mama's are not house trained when they come out of the mill. I basically did what bcoop said. I moved a heavy dresser a few feet away from the alcove, cut the rug out, laid cheap stick down white vinyl 12"x12" tile on the floor, adding the metal strip last. It's been years, my rug hasn't moved at all. Area worked out so good I moved my rescue dogs to another area, this area is now my own cairns "den".