Protecting carpet

[PugsAndFish]

I moved to a new apartment (renting) which has all carpet. I am setting up a 25 gallon AIO tank. How can I go about protecting my carpet?

I'm thinking about going with a finished piece of plywood that the stand and ATO container can sit on. The plywood would come out about 2 inches on all sides just to catch any water drips during regular maintenance. Would water dripping onto the plywood cause uneveness to the plywood that I should be concerned about?

Any other options would be helpful too.

 

[Backreefing]

Maybe a office chair mat

 

[Casket_Case]

I’d go over two inches around it... if you’re anything like me during water changes it looks like when God flooded the Earth... if you’re better at retaining the water than I am it wouldn’t help just to have a bit extra just in case

 

[Reef.]

Salt water leaves light patches on the carpet, you will drop water no matter how hard you try, I would just lay a cover over the carpet when working in the tank. When you do ANYTHING in the tank no matter how small. And over a larger area than you think is needed.

Don’t worry too much, worse that can happen is you have to clean the carpet when you leave or pay for the damage, unless we are talking very expensive carpet then not worth stressing over.

 

[PugsAndFish]

Maybe a office chair mat

Do you think the edges of the mat will curl up since its on carpet once I place a tank in the middle of the mat?