Rubber mat under sump?

Wick · May 23, 2019

I've been searching the internet and am having a hard time finding a mat for placing under my sump since sometimes water spills outside of it while topping it off. Or am I over thinking this and don't worry about it. Lol.

leepink23 · May 23, 2019

This is what I put under my sump.

Taxus812 · May 23, 2019

I got some at Home Depot. It’s thin rubber mat in 20’ rolls (carpet section). Other with more experience may chime in on if you should use it or not.

saintsreturn · May 23, 2019

I bought a truck tool box liner for my last tank and some grey sub flooring stuff for this tank. Both sourced locally. It doesnt help with spilled water though lol

scriptmonkey · May 23, 2019

I used PVC shower pan liner from home depot or Lowes. Like this.

BestMomEver · May 23, 2019

I got some of the rubbery stuff that you line drawers with. It comes in rolls. I had to overlap two pieces but it works great. I ran it a little up the sides to keep water from getting underneath. Best part is, it’s white so I can see everything. Got it from wal mart for a few dollars.

lapin · May 23, 2019

If water goes under the mat it will not dry and rotting can occur. What i have done in the past is use a mat like this that will allow for air to get under it.
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/ca...i-fatigue-floor-mat-7-8-thick/844B3525R1.html

Wick · May 23, 2019

lapin said:
If water goes under the mat it will not dry and rotting can occur. What i have done in the past is use a mat like this that will allow for air to get under it.
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/ca...i-fatigue-floor-mat-7-8-thick/844B3525R1.html

See I would think that would be counter productive from what I'm trying to accomplish. Preventing any type of water from getting on to the wood so it doesn't rot. But thank you for the ideas everyone!

Tompickles · May 23, 2019

I used a yoga mat

KorD · May 23, 2019

Mats or no mats. Does not matter once water gets under it. It will rot slowly.
I sat my sump on egg creat and called it good.
Wooden stands will not last forever, and I knew that getting into this.
Over 15 years of tanks, I built 7 stands, and only had to replace 1 due to functional use, and not rot. I am also clumsy and spill a lot of water times, one other time my ATO and skimmer had a fight.. it kicked almost 10 gal of water across my floor at 3am. The stand dried fine and still used it for the next 5 years.

MnFish1 · May 23, 2019

Wick said:
See I would think that would be counter productive from what I'm trying to accomplish. Preventing any type of water from getting on to the wood so it doesn't rot. But thank you for the ideas everyone!

You can use a waterproof sealer - to make sure that water doesnt get under the mat... Like whatRed-sea does on the bottoms of their tanks/sumps.