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Post by fishfever on May 31, 2009 17:12:27 GMT -5
I don't know if anything like this exists - if it does it probably wasn't designed for this purpose. I'm hoping to find a narrow tub that I can place behind a tank under the HOB filter, UV sterilizer, air lines, etc. to catch possible spills/leaks. I've never seen any leaks from these things when assembled/installed correctly but something to catch potential drips would help me sleep better at night and enjoy vacations more; plus it would help catch spills that happen during normal tank maintenance (I now use a large moisture absorbing mat around the front/sides but nothing for the back).
So ideally it would be made of plastic with seamless molded construction and for my target tank would be approximately 2 feet long, about 2 to 2 1/2 inches wide, and at least a few inches tall (up to maybe a foot tall). Half of it would rest on the aquarium stand, and I'd probably glue a strip of foam to the back and have the back rest against the wall. I've spent a little time looking online and Walmart, etc. but so far no luck. Anyone ever seen anything like this (and where)?
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Post by murdock6701 on May 31, 2009 18:34:40 GMT -5
I personally have never seen one or anything like it - hobs can be a pain in the butt to remove and clean without spilling anything......a check valve for you air supply line might help alleviate your worries about water leaking from that source - I usually try to leave enough room behind all my tanks so when I have to take stuff apart I don't have to worry about bumping anything and causing spillage and I keep an old rolled up towel behind there just in case - an attractive background hides it all
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Post by fishfever on Jun 1, 2009 21:42:12 GMT -5
Murdock, the old rolled up towel is an excellent idea and I'll put one back there. I've also got the back covered with a decorative background so none of the mess behind the tank is visible. However, I'm still going to keep a lookout for something that can act as a tub of sorts. Maybe a flea market or something. And I'll make sure the wife is aware of my wish item in case she sees it during one of her shopping runs.
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Post by murdock6701 on Jun 1, 2009 21:58:16 GMT -5
we've all had our share of accidents....I once bought a brand new tank that leaked overnight and went thru the floor into the laundry room below and soaked clean folded clothes - scored no points there.....make sure nothing of value is below your tanks - check your hob everytime you clean it and keep the "o" rings in good shape, no twists or cracks - they do need maintenance every once in a while - also, if your filter malfunctions, it's gonna dump whatever your tank holds out anyway, so unless you have a way to pump any leakage from your new catch basin back up into the tank, you're in deep doodoo anyway.....just a thought
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Post by fishfever on Jun 2, 2009 16:43:40 GMT -5
Murdock, my main tank is in an area I can't afford to get wet. It's at the center of the house between a formal dining room and formal great room. Floors are expensive Brazilian Cherry and I'd hate to ruin that; plus the basement floor below it has even more expensive Merbau hardwood flooring. OTOH it's in an ideal place for an aquarium since it's away from windows and vents and you don't have to go out of your way to see the tank since it's close to a high traffic area.
My plan was to take the tub idea (if I ever find one) to another level and use simple sensors to detect any significant water in the tub. The sensors would shut off the HOB and sound an audio alarm when tripped. Probably use a simple float switch and a level sensor to avoid cutting off the HOB when one of the sensors malfunctions. Using two types of sensors reduces the risk of a false alarms. And all this helps me sleep better at night.
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Post by murdock6701 on Jun 3, 2009 19:01:35 GMT -5
my "uncheap" answer would be to build or have built a gorgeous cherry stand for your tank and put a rubbermain tub as big as your tank in there - that way, if anything failed, all the water would go into the tub! that and a couple of xanax would help you sleep better!
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Post by fishfever on Jun 4, 2009 22:37:14 GMT -5
Don't think I haven't thought of something like that! Actually our washing machine is in such a tub but it has a drain connected to it also. I figure if there's ever a leak anywhere around the aquarium, it would probably start out small so there'd be time to do something about it. I do have a very absorbent rug with rubber bottom below the stand, but obviously that's only for small drips. It's only a 26g tank, but that's still a ton of water on expensive flooring!
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