Tank disaster + stand ruined

So today I faced an aquarium nightmare. Somehow my tank leaked onto the floor. Thankfully there was still some tank water, so I was able to save all my fish, plants, and I’ve also saved my filter media. The fish are currently in a small tank with a sponge filter. I’ve put a towel over them so they stay calm and added both stress coat and seachem prime. I’ve figured out the leak is from the bottom rim of the tank in multiple spots, which I plan to fix with silicone. My stand is completely ruined, in fact the surface, being wood, is completely unleveled. I think over time the surface underneath, due to being exposed to water (I’m not the cleanest person when I do water changes) slowly unleveled from beneath, causing the leak, and now that the tank is leaked it’s completely ruined. I can level the stand by carving the wood, but overtime this may happen again. I would rather get another stand. However, I’ve noticed many stands online are made of wood, and they don’t specifically say they have any coatings or such. The reviews also indicate wood damage with water contact. Is there something I could use to protect the stand from water damage?

 

DIY cinder block stands still generally use wood, but I'd think metal stands would be an option?

 

DIY cinder block stands still generally use wood, but I'd think metal stands would be an option?

I still live with my parents, and so far they haven’t liked the look of any metal stands I’ve suggested. Do you know of any good websites/places that sell aquarium stands? This is a 10 gallon tank so I’m OK with upgrading as long as I can get a good stand.

 

So today I faced an aquarium nightmare. Somehow my tank leaked onto the floor. Thankfully there was still some tank water, so I was able to save all my fish, plants, and I’ve also saved my filter media. The fish are currently in a small tank with a sponge filter. I’ve put a towel over them so they stay calm and added both stress coat and seachem prime. I’ve figured out the leak is from the bottom rim of the tank in multiple spots, which I plan to fix with silicone. My stand is completely ruined, in fact the surface, being wood, is completely unleveled. I think over time the surface underneath, due to being exposed to water (I’m not the cleanest person when I do water changes) slowly unleveled from beneath, causing the leak, and now that the tank is leaked it’s completely ruined. I can level the stand by carving the wood, but overtime this may happen again. I would rather get another stand. However, I’ve noticed many stands online are made of wood, and they don’t specifically say they have any coatings or such. The reviews also indicate wood damage with water contact. Is there something I could use to protect the stand from water damage?

I use Sparurethane or polyurethane to protect against water. Paint the wood and then do 3+ coats of the urethane you choose. As for carving the wood, that only weakens the strength. You could replace the top piece.
Metal stand do last, but only when cared for property by repainting them occasionally, about every three years. Otherwise they will eventually rust, and sometimes from the inside out so you won’t think the problem is as big.

 

Being a 10 gallon a sturdy nightstand will hold it also as mentioned above a cinderblock stand with a piece of 3/4” plywood will work as well. Just get a small can of deck stain and paint the plywood that will keep it sealed for a while.

 

I still live with my parents, and so far they haven’t liked the look of any metal stands I’ve suggested. Do you know of any good websites/places that sell aquarium stands? This is a 10 gallon tank so I’m OK with upgrading as long as I can get a good stand.

I just put my 40B on one of these (appropriately sized of course, the link is to the 10G stand). I still need to get the channeling in so I can run the cables through conduit and it looks neater. I'm not going to sweat that though until I get some of the extra filters out of this one (I've got my 54 corner broken down atm).

 

UPDATE:
So I realized the leak is actually from the side of the tank, not the bottom rim. Me and my dad siliconed it, but we both agreed a larger tank would look better so going to do some tank shopping today. I'll keep the 10 for WCs and QT, and I might transfer my 5.5g cherry shrimp colony to the 10 in the future. As for the stand, we'll try to level it from beneath the tank using putty, but we're probably going to buy a new one since the damage from the leak was extensive. I found a decently priced sturdy marble top counter that should work.

As for the fish, they are doing well. They were mostly asleep during the ordeal so I was able to catch them easily with a container. No fin damages. I gave them large driftwood from the tank so they would have cover. The towel is keeping them calm. They're definitely not happy, but they don't seem too stressed. The holding tank is only 3 gallons so I'll get them out ASAP

 

So I ended up with a 36g bow front w stand. I currently have the fish acclimating in the same container they were in (it floats) and have lights off. Will add them in tomorrow morning. I’m running my 10g filter on it currently and will pick up a proper filter tomorrow. The one I bought today was extremely loud, even after I checked the rotors, so I’m going to get a Fluval instead. Just realized the Fluval 20-50g is 25$ on chewy, and PetSmart does price match

UPDATE:

So I went ahead and added them. It had been about 2 hours of acclimation, temps were same and I didn’t want to leave them overnight in a bare unfiltered container. I sat with them for about 20 min, tank light off. Most of the fish settled on the bottom to sleep, some were a bit more awake and swam around. My betta is cruising between the driftwoods. My Amanos gave me a scare, my two males were acting crazy. I realized after seeing the female it was bcs she had eggs ready in her saddle, and sure enough once they found her they were fighting over her. If my Amanos are ok, I think the rest of my fish should be ok too

 

Would love to see pictures of how it turned out

 

Been a lot of changes since initial setup. Added a lot more driftwood, rocks, and plants, as well as sand. There’s also been some new additions, and I’m planning to add some more once the plants grow in. Currently going through new tank diatom problems (ugh). Also waiting for my floating plants to grow longer roots. The single root you see going almost halfway down the tank went from a nub to that in just 2 days, so definitely doing well and I’m sure I’ll get some new roots in very soon. The tank fits perfectly in our living room and compliments the space very nicely. I’m glad to set up something my parents enjoy I catch them staring at it a lot

Edit: suggestions if I should get more plants/ what kind are accepted. I’m a newb with plants so only the easy stuff. I also have sand substrate so preferably planes that aren’t root feeders. I have a sword that’s doing well so far, but not sure if others would be ok I have some Java fern plantlets I saved from a dying plant that I’m waiting on to grow. They’re taking their sweet time

 

That looks really good. awesome job. I've recently started a planted aquarium as well I've stuck to simple stem plants and moss. I just grab anything that catches my eye and says doesn't need CO2. I'm upgrading my black sand 45 gallon to a new 75 gallon I'm going to do that one planted as well. Your Aquarium is a nice inspiration!

 

That looks really good. awesome job. I've recently started a planted aquarium as well I've stuck to simple stem plants and moss. I just grab anything that catches my eye and says doesn't need CO2. I'm upgrading my black sand 45 gallon to a new 75 gallon I'm going to do that one planted as well. Your Aquarium is a nice inspiration!

Here’s another idea for what you might be able to do. This is my 5.5g shrimp tank

 

Here’s another idea for what you might be able to do. This is my 5.5g shrimp tank

Hitting like doesn't do enough justice to how awesome a setup that is for a mere 5.5g tank. Very cool!

 

Hitting like doesn't do enough justice to how awesome a setup that is for a mere 5.5g tank. Very cool!

Thanks! I personally LOVE the look of spider wood and couldn’t resist this piece when I saw it for 15$ at Petco. Since then I haven’t seen any other pieces like it, nor any that can beat the price. I used to have Java moss branching out from it, but a lot of it has died due to summer temps. It’ll bounce back once summer is over tho. Also planning to add some floating plants to complete the look