After setting up your fish aquarium, you will have to disassemble it to move even for a few inches which is much work as well as also stresses the fish.
It is hence vital to find the perfect place to place your fish tank before setting it up.
So, Can You Put a Fish Tank on Carpet?
Absolutely yes! You can put your fish tank on the carpet, and it really should be okay. Most fish pet owners claim to have aquariums on the carpet without any problems. The tank is even more likely to have less wobbling than when it is on hard flooring. However, you need to be careful with your spills.
Most fish tank stands are designed to have perimeter feet or rims that sit on the floor, creating an air gap above the carpet for most of the space underneath the stand. Even if a minor spill gets the carpet wet, the air gap will allow it to dry. If your aquarium stand sits flat for the entire area, it could develop molds when the spill gets underneath, although this will take plenty of water sitting underneath for a long time.
The fish tank weight tends to crush the stand very flat to the floor so the water doesn’t penetrate so far and will take a large spill to creep under the cabinet.
You can keep the door open and switch on some fans to dry the carpet if this happens.
You can also curb the issue of spillage by placing a plastic mat or thick towel on the fish tank underside to capture any water that spills and then wipe it off.
Generally, when positioned well and levelled, you can keep the fish tank on the carpet for years without really any problems other than the crush memory marks after removing the tank.
Just ensure that you are careful with the water changes and wipe any spillage completely.
What Are the Factors to Consider for Right Placement of a Fish Tank?
The placement and positioning of your fish tank are very significant in determining the well-being of your pet fish. Some of the factors to consider for the proper placement include;
1. Exposure To Sunlight
While natural sunlight makes corals look incredible, there are several downsides to direct sunlight exposure.
First, direct sunlight is not suitable for your fish tank as it encourages the growth of algae.
A fish tank situated in sunlight even for a while daily can cause the development of algae in your fish tank.
Algae not only looks ugly but also blocks you from enjoying the view of your fish.
More so, the natural sunlight can overheat the fish tank’s water, altering the ideal temperature for your fish while also reducing the water levels through evaporation.
This also means that you should avoid setting up your aquarium near a window that penetrates sunlight or otherwise keep the curtains drawn.
2. Visibility
Fish tanks are designed to be well looked at. Unlike a cat or dog, fish do not follow you from one room to another.
To get the most out of your aquarium, you should consider setting it up in a location that makes it easy to enjoy the view.
This rules out placing your fish tank in your basement or back room.
But you can place it anywhere else that you frequently sit and relax or walk past frequently.
Even better, by having an aquarium at our site, you will quickly notice anything wrong in your fish tank.
Whether it is a sick fish, leaking tank, or algae outbreak, the sooner you identify the issue, the sooner you can be able to fix it.
3. Water And Power Availability
A fish tank may be the only time that electricity and water are a perfect mix.
An aquarium comes with equipment like heaters and filters that require a suitable power source.
This means that the closer your aquarium is to an electrical supply, the better.
While it is possible to run an extension cord from one side of your room to another, this will look ugly and act as a tripping hazard.
Similar to electricity, water changes are a significant part of fish tank maintenance.
This means that the closer your fish tank is to the water supply, such as the kitchen sink, the easier it will be for maintenance.
4. Temperature Of the Surrounding Environment
The temperature inside your aquarium can change very quickly.
This is not a good thing because rapid and significant temperature changes happening throughout the day can stress your fish leading to sickness or death.
To avoid such temperature changes, you should avoid extreme heating or cooling.
Fireplaces, nearby heating vents, and space heaters can essentially raise the temperature of your aquarium.
On the other hand, nearby air-conditioning units, fans and vents can decrease the temperature of your fish tank.
Finally, the most disregarded source of temperature changes for your aquarium is the window.
Shining sunlight or a cool breeze through an open window can cause a change in your fish tank temperature, causing your fish stress.
If you want to set your fish tank near a window, you should keep the window closed and draw the curtain to reduce the effect of sunlight.
5. Noise
While the topic of how much sound can stress the fish is debatable, all fish owners agree that a subwoofer and aquarium should not be in the same room.
The subwoofer produces vibrations that travel through the water in your aquarium, stressing your fish.
Similarly, you should not tap on the aquarium glass because although on the outside can seem quiet, it sounds like a helicopter engine on the inside.
If your fish are shy, they will scatter and hide each time they perceive a loud noise leaving you to only stare at an empty tank.
When it comes to selecting the right place to place an aquarium, the lower the noise levels, the better.
But also, on the other hand, the aquarium can be noisy to a certain extent which can be undesirable depending on its location.
For example, you will not want water noise drowning your conversations with your guest or television audio.
6. Weight Support
While most aquarium owners easily overlook the weight of an aquarium, you should ensure you place your fish tank in a place that can sufficiently accommodate its weight.
Weight-bearing walls, exterior walls, or other solid surfaces are a perfect place to place your aquarium.
If you consider setting up a full aquarium and have concerns, it’s recommendable to consult an engineer because taking caution is better than being sorry.
7. Flooring
The flooring surface you place your aquarium on is another essential factor to consider.
Because of the probability of occasional drip or spill, flooring surfaces that are relatively fragile to moisture, such as carpet, laminates, or hardwoods, should be avoided.
Although this will depend on personal preference, we should consider flooring easily cleaned up without causing water damage.
You can also raise your stand with a tile pad to prevent damaged floors or carpet.
Wrap Up
Hopefully, this article is beneficial in helping you determine the right areas to place your aquarium.
While you can put a fish tank on the carpet, you should set up proper precautions in case of spillages to avoid damage and molds.
A complete fish tank setup is a huge pain to move, and it’s better to get the placement and positioning right the first time than struggling to move the aquarium later.
Related: Can You Keep A Fish Tank Outside?
Reference
Anyone has luck putting an aquarium over carpet? – Cichlid forum