What are you lining your stands with?

[maginter]

Hi All -

I am setting up a 150 and have a wooden stand. In the past, I was able to get a metal tray to put my sump in, in the even that it overflowed. However, with the size of this sump, that has become an issue. So, what are you all doing to protect the wood bottom of the stands and even catch some of the water during an accidental overflow?

TIA!

 

[MnFish1]

Hi All -

I am setting up a 150 and have a wooden stand. In the past, I was able to get a metal tray to put my sump in, in the even that it overflowed. However, with the size of this sump, that has become an issue. So, what are you all doing to protect the wood bottom of the stands and even catch some of the water during an accidental overflow?

TIA!

Nothing.... Why would the sump overflow? Not trying to be snarky - but there shoudl be no reason for that to happen? To answer your question - there are rubber mats that can be cut to the size of your stand. Or depending on the sump - you could figure out a way to raise it up somewhat off the wood - so that if it did 'overflow' - it will dry without damage? One problem - is that water can also 'wick' under any material you put under it.

 

[Fish man]

my stand is 18"x48". I made an acrylic tray liner for the bottom. Bought the acrylic from home depot, cut a piece the size of the bottom and 4 that go up the sides 4". siliconed all the seams and let it cure for a couple days. It will hold the entire volume of my sump and drain off from the dt. Has saved me more then once.

 

[maginter]

My stand is 24 x 60, but I was considering the same thing. Prior to this I used a steelpan from an animal cage and sprayed it with Truck bed liner. However the size I need now is a lot bigger than I can find

 

[MnFish1]

My stand is 24 x 60, but I was considering the same thing. Prior to this I used a steelpan from an animal cage and sprayed it with Truck bed liner. However the size I need now is a lot bigger than I can find

I think any type of liner will not solve the problem. What will solve the problem is making sure that if there is any back siphoning - that the level in your sump is low enough to prevent it. Just my opinion - based on my own disaster trying this. The problem is wicking underneath the 'lining' - which will cause slow damage and rotting. But - I am curious - how does your sump overflow?

 

[Nano925]

I’m not sure if this will help but check out some gardening or hydroponic store they have trays of all sizes usually made for draining.

 

[fade2black]

Nothing.... Why would the sump overflow? Not trying to be snarky - but there shoudl be no reason for that to happen? To answer your question - there are rubber mats that can be cut to the size of your stand. Or depending on the sump - you could figure out a way to raise it up somewhat off the wood - so that if it did 'overflow' - it will dry without damage? One problem - is that water can also 'wick' under any material you put under it.

Have to agree with this. There should be no reason your sump would ever overflow. Simulate a power outage and turn off your return pump. If the main tank draining into the sump causes an overflow, then it isn't designed properly and should be fixed asap.

 

[maginter]

Have you never had an ATO valve stick, a check valve fail or have a line or tank leak? I am implementing more safe guards on this tank than any I have ever had, but I tend to be overly cautious. Maybe I should have not said Sump overflow, but I am referring to just a method of containing the water in the stand as apposed to having it immediately run out on the floor. Leak sensors work great, but if you are not home when it happens, I would like to at least have a little buffer time if I can and little to minimal expense.

If I do a liner, I was planning on gluing it to the bottom of the stand to prevent wicking. Same thing I did on the bottom of the stand with wide HDPE strips to support the stand off the floor to prevent wicking and to maintain airflow in the even that it does get wet.

Make sense?? Yes, it is over kill, but the fact I can do it now, than wish I would have later, as I am having to replace my expensive hardwood floors, I am willing to do it now.

 

[minireef]

We will be using a shower pan liner. Its sold by the foot at home depot or lowes.

 

[MnFish1]

Have you never had an ATO valve stick, a check valve fail or have a line or tank leak? I am implementing more safe guards on this tank than any I have ever had, but I tend to be overly cautious. Maybe I should have not said Sump overflow, but I am referring to just a method of containing the water in the stand as apposed to having it immediately run out on the floor. Leak sensors work great, but if you are not home when it happens, I would like to at least have a little buffer time if I can and little to minimal expense.

If I do a liner, I was planning on gluing it to the bottom of the stand to prevent wicking. Same thing I did on the bottom of the stand with wide HDPE strips to support the stand off the floor to prevent wicking and to maintain airflow in the even that it does get wet.

Make sense?? Yes, it is over kill, but the fact I can do it now, than wish I would have later, as I am having to replace my expensive hardwood floors, I am willing to do it now.

Dont want to fight - but - I'm just saying - the liner will not affect an ATO valve sticking, a check valve fail, and at least my tank is far larger than the bottom of my stand' - so a liner wouldn't prevent that either. PS - I have a waterproof stand - and I stupidly left on my RO water (was filling a large discus tank) - and it 'overflowed' - but any kind of liner wouldn't affect it. IMHO - your best 'prevention' is waterproofing the bottom part of your stand - and making sure that you're not using 'check valves' and 'ATO' that can overflow. Again - just my opinion - from my personal experience - wrecking my wood floor...

 

[maginter]

I think that is where the confusion is. I AM trying to waterproof my stand to protect it from a failure, NOT use a liner to prevent a failure. Same way as if you were to put a drip pan under a car if it leaks oil. Ideally, you would get the leak fixed, but in the event it does leak, cleanup is much easier.

 

[MnFish1]

I think that is where the confusion is. I AM trying to waterproof my stand to protect it from a failure, NOT use a liner to prevent a failure. Same way as if you were to put a drip pan under a car if it leaks oil. Ideally, you would get the leak fixed, but in the event it does leak, cleanup is much easier.

I see what you're saying - I misread your OP. IMHO - the best way to waterproof your stand is to paint it with waterproof paint. There are numerous possibilities for marine and freshwater use. Then if you want to put something under it incase of a small leak. I misunderstood what you meant.

 

[jgirardnrg]

I just used epoxy on the floor of the cabinet, sealed all the seams and painted... it's water tight and holds quite a bit. Ask me how I know.

 

[slojim]

I'm with you maginter. There will be drips and spills - perhaps during maintenance or water changes or some unplanned event. I coated mine with the brush on "flex seal" paint in white. I put down a thick coat. It has a lot of solvent odor while drying - but I'm very happy with the results. I think the bottom of my stand up to the door openings can hold water. Above the door opening, I just used leftover white paint and I caulked the seams and screw holes.

 

[landlubber]

wood stand here as well and i use nothing!
what i did do to give better protection to my floors was use rubber matting cut to size under my sump area.
this is only valuable in the event of a bubbling skimmer cup, or to keep the salt creep crumbs off the hardwood.

 

[maginter]

Exactly why I am asking!!!!

 

[Astro]

Have you never had an ATO valve stick, a check valve fail or have a line or tank leak? I am implementing more safe guards on this tank than any I have ever had, but I tend to be overly cautious. Maybe I should have not said Sump overflow, but I am referring to just a method of containing the water in the stand as apposed to having it immediately run out on the floor. Leak sensors work great, but if you are not home when it happens, I would like to at least have a little buffer time if I can and little to minimal expense.

If I do a liner, I was planning on gluing it to the bottom of the stand to prevent wicking. Same thing I did on the bottom of the stand with wide HDPE strips to support the stand off the floor to prevent wicking and to maintain airflow in the even that it does get wet.

Make sense?? Yes, it is over kill, but the fact I can do it now, than wish I would have later, as I am having to replace my expensive hardwood floors, I am willing to do it now.

My only experience is with my reefer. But there are three pipes, two for draining. So if ATO did malfunction and raise water level, the second sensor would trigger and stop ATO. Assuming both sensors just happened to stop, I guess I’m screwed. But a plastic thing under sump wouldn’t matter in this case. Perhaps having a third sensor that can cut power to ATO.

in other news, I just found white vinyl rolls on Amazon. Covered the inside of my sump cabinet with it to prevent water splashes or drips from harming the wood. Was like $15 for 20 ft of it

 

[dadnjesse]

Spar Urethane is used on wooden boats and out door wood sealer. It's what I used when I built mine.

 

[Ef4life]

When I build out my stand for my upgrade I plan to do something like a liquid shower waterproof Coating (red guard, aqua defense, hydroban etc) it works for the custom showers we tile, it will work on the bottom of my stand to contain accidental spills

 

[theMeat]

There’s this stuff called Redgard that is used to seal bathroom walls to be tiled. You paint it on, it goes on thick and dries rock hard.