Water on carpet and can't move tank

[Chuck]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might be able to save my carpet from mildew/mold. There was a leak in my sump that soaked my carpet all around my tank-including underneath. I cannot move the tank and I don't want to tear out the carpet-partially because it is under the tank and I would have to break down the tank. So does anyone have any ideas? Thanks

[JCox]

Sorry to hear about your flood. IMO you will HAVE to get that area completely dry within 48 hrs (max.) of it getting wet before the mold and mildew start. So I would definitely pull up as much of the carpet as possible and get a fan going on it to dry it best as you can. As for under the tank, if it were me (and I'm sure I will most likely be there sooner or later), I would drill the largest holes possible in the bottom of the stand and get a fan or something going down there also, and see how that works. I would even possibly cut a square somewhere in the bottom of the stand if that became necessary. Sucks to hack up your stand but I can't think of anything else besides breaking it down and doing 'right'. Time is of the issue in wet carpet situations. Best of luck.

[Loverotties]

and wet vac!

[Twitterbait]

i agree with both. If your stand is not moved though then you will get the mildew line around the perimeter.

[Superman]

If it is on the main level and you have a basement underneath it, then you could try putting a dehumidifier in the basement and really crank it. Floor boards are not air tight, so you can get some drying from the underside of the floor (from the basement) as well. Just an idea, and possibly a pretty decent option, most basements can benefit from a good dehumidifier anyways.

[Chuck]

Thanks for the advice everyone. The tank is in the basement so I can't get underneath without breaking it down. The got a carpet steam cleaner and cleaned the carpets. I bought a couple of fans and I hoisted the tank stand up using a dolly and slipped 2X4's underneath to allow the fans to blow air underneath. Hopefully that will prevent it from getting stinky. Now I need to get the new bulkhead to seal properly.

[Phishnoob]

rotten carpet reeks..been there done that

I would get the air flowing and keep on going with it way past when you think it is dry. All my future tanks will live on tile or wood. The 2 by 4 thing was a good idea though.

[Doug1]

I will NEVER do another tank on carpet or next to a sheet rock wall

I am still holding out to do the 75 as an inwall

[doberman]

I would also get some Fabreeze with a disssinfectant (can't think of the name of what's in it) in it - turn off all the fans and spray it on pretty heavy - let it soak in for a few hours and then turn the fans back on - I just picked the garbage of someone in the neighborhood of one of the carpeted cat scratchers - it was wet (sitting in the rain) and cat stinky - wet vacced it (still stunk) and dryed it then hit it with this spray and it worked like a champ!

[Viv]

Another thought, after carpet dries and before you replace it back on the dried carpet, place some of that plastic carpet runner under the cabinet. It will at least protect under the cabinet if something like this ever happened again. Its real easy to cut with scissors to any shape/size you want... doing this same thing in my basement under the tank on cement floor, cause believe it or not the salt water eats right through cement. Good luck!