My Profile

Keep Up to Date:
Blog RSS
Blog
Forum RSS
Forum
Post New Topic Post Reply
Posted 1 Year, 7 Months ago
Angelo Michel
Gold Boarder
Posts: 161
graphgraph
User Offline
 
I am just wondering if anybody has any experience with laminate wood flooring & heavy tanks of this size??? Will it stand up to the weight of the tank. I am putting in some laminate wood flooring in my living room where there is currently carpet. I am worried that the weight of the tank may cause the seams to come apart in the flooring since it is the 'Click' style laminate.

Thanks Craig Williams
The administrator has disabled public write access.
Posted 1 Year, 7 Months ago
Bluewolf027
Expert Boarder
Posts: 159
graphgraph
User Offline
 
Whoa, good question. I think the floor itself will take the compaction, but these floors are usually installed as floating floors (not fixed at perimeter and sitting on a sponge sheet). You can bet the stand's legs will act to compact the sponge underneath, and this floor will not be 'floating' under the tank ;~). If your stand to floor contact is via thin metal posts, I imagine the deflection might even be visible if you were looking for it. Don't let a post line up to a seam. If your stand spreads the weight across a horizontal member, then there would be no concern. For a 120g tank, I personally like to use a horizontal member, and for a metal stand, I would put a coaster underneath to spread the weight. A stainless steel disc (ie: 4' diameter, 1/8' thick with a fillet or chamfered edge) would do it.

Keep in mind that the floor's 'floating properties will express themselves on the perimeter farthest from the tank, as the floor under the tank is unlikely to move, nor will the short distance between the tank and wall require the floor to move much (from expansion or contraction). Ergo, keep the floor from any extreme positions before you fill the tank (allowing some floor movement at the opposite end of the room).

The thicker the sponge underlay used, the greater the potential for compaction (and deflection), which is or is not an issue, depending on the lbs/sq in applied (thickness of the contact post). I hope that helps but I'm only speculating and have no empirical experience to share with you.

Also consider the water proofness of the surface. Using an adhesive will make it more waterproof, but will be harder to replace any panels if they did become damaged. Not using an adhesive would let water in too easily. Ask your supplier if they have a sealer. Silicone might be the best. I think all silicones are sealers, but not all are adhesives (which is another reason many silicones are not suitable for building aquariums). I think Mulco makes a line of sealing silicones which are not very adhesive (removable). If it were me, I would also buy a few extra floorboards, for when you move the tank in the event it caused any damage. Sitting the canister filter in a plastic tub is something I usually do as well. This catches any drops when the canister is being serviced, and about 2g of water if a hose comes loose when I'm fiddling with it.

Let us know how it turns out.
The administrator has disabled public write access.
Posted 1 Year, 7 Months ago
PAV629
Expert Boarder
Posts: 134
graphgraph
User Offline
 
I would be very concerned about moisture levels. Conitued spillage on the flooring will cause it to get damaged...sincerely...be very careful
The administrator has disabled public write access.
Posted 1 Year, 7 Months ago
swift75
Expert Boarder
Posts: 152
graphgraph
User Offline
 
I have a 150g tank on a laminate floor. I have had no problems. However, make sure you clean up any spilt water quickly as it will warp the floor.
The administrator has disabled public write access.
 
Copyright © 2006 - Nov 2008 My Aquarium Club