Filter leak

I had a hang-on type filter on my 29 gallon tank and it leaked about a gallon of water onto the floor. My question is do I need to dismantle the tank to clean and dry the carpeting under it. I have soaked up what I could with towels around the perimeter, but am worried about what may have leaked underneath where I can't get to it. My son suggested drilling a few holes in the floor of the aquarium stand and aiming a fan on it. Anyone have this type of experience? Know what to do? Thanks in advance. ghndnut

 

Is it on carpet or wood? If it's on carpet, the weight of the tank will dissipate the water away from the stand, this has happened to me way more times than I care to admit. To be completely honest with you, when my house flooded from a broken pipe under my sink (and my ENTIRE house was flooded with water), the only areas of dry carpet was about the 2" perimeter around my tank stand.
If it's on hardwood flooring, it's fair game that water gets under, it may or may not happen. I wouldn't tear down your entire tank though, you will create more problems doing so. I would tank about 1/2 to 2/3 of the water out, so you don't disturb the sand, and move the tank somewhere while you dry the area. When you replace the water, try not to disturb the sand.

 

Carpet or Hardwood is going to make a difference here as Mike pointed out. In my last house I have the tank on carpet, water was spilled and I soaked it up. Years later when I sold the house the carpet was fine, but stain from the stand and marked the carpet due to the wetness. The carpet under the tank was in perfect condition – so I echo Mike’s comments about the tank weight pushing water away.

You can drill the bottom of the stand without issue as well. I drilled holes for my plumbing to run it all to the basement – your son’s a quality thinker !

 

Thanks for the replies. It all seems to be dry now, and your input made me feel much better! ghndnut