tank and floor

krkosiba · 05/31/2009, 02:16 PM

I have been doing research on this topic and I don't know if I posted this in the right spot nor do I know if anyone could help me. I am wanting to put 120 gallon tank upstairs. I just don't know if the floor can support it. I don't know about 1500 pounds being upstairs. I don't want to crack a joist or worse yet, have it laying in the basement. It will be against a load bearing wall and running perpendicular to the joists. Unfortunately due to where the windows are i can't put it in the corner wall for extra strength. I have a drop ceiling in the basement where I could sister the joists for more strength. Anyways, any input would be great. thanks

Korrine · 05/31/2009, 02:34 PM

It's hard to give advice when we can't see it. I'd have an engineer come out and take a look at it for you. That's probably the safest bet.

We're thinking of putting a 120 in the middle of our house(living room wall which the side rests in the center of house). We're going to add support underneath since the stairs leading to upstairs already rests on these boards. It may be hard to reinforce the top story, though?? Have an engineer look at it. You won't have peace of mind until you do.

thegrun · 05/31/2009, 03:25 PM

+1 on the engineer. I know many people will comment that it is no more load than having 8 people stand close together, but 8 people do not stand in one place for years at a time. There are charts available on the net that will give the dead load carrying capacity of given framing members at given spans. You will need to determine the floor joist size (2 x 12) and span between load baring walls.

KDDG · 05/31/2009, 05:11 PM

+2 Get an engineer. The money spent will be worth every penny for your peace of mind.

Korrine · 05/31/2009, 05:13 PM

Exactly!

A tank can be fine for years and then suddenly the floor can't take it anymore and it'll fall.

Aquarist007 · 05/31/2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by krkosiba
I have been doing research on this topic and I don't know if I posted this in the right spot nor do I know if anyone could help me. I am wanting to put 120 gallon tank upstairs. I just don't know if the floor can support it. I don't know about 1500 pounds being upstairs. I don't want to crack a joist or worse yet, have it laying in the basement. It will be against a load bearing wall and running perpendicular to the joists. Unfortunately due to where the windows are i can't put it in the corner wall for extra strength. I have a drop ceiling in the basement where I could sister the joists for more strength. Anyways, any input would be great. thanks

To Reef Central

why can't you put it where the windows are---natural sunlight is a real plus for a marine tank

Korrine · 05/31/2009, 10:15 PM

I bet he's thinking of the possible algae or over heating issues?

05/31/2009, 02:16 PM	#1
krkosiba Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 57	tank and floor I have been doing research on this topic and I don't know if I posted this in the right spot nor do I know if anyone could help me. I am wanting to put 120 gallon tank upstairs. I just don't know if the floor can support it. I don't know about 1500 pounds being upstairs. I don't want to crack a joist or worse yet, have it laying in the basement. It will be against a load bearing wall and running perpendicular to the joists. Unfortunately due to where the windows are i can't put it in the corner wall for extra strength. I have a drop ceiling in the basement where I could sister the joists for more strength. Anyways, any input would be great. thanks

05/31/2009, 02:34 PM	#2
Korrine You could get a ticket!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,288 Blog Entries: 1	It's hard to give advice when we can't see it. I'd have an engineer come out and take a look at it for you. That's probably the safest bet. We're thinking of putting a 120 in the middle of our house(living room wall which the side rests in the center of house). We're going to add support underneath since the stairs leading to upstairs already rests on these boards. It may be hard to reinforce the top story, though?? Have an engineer look at it. You won't have peace of mind until you do. __________________ Try to keep in mind that we are all human...mistakes do happen! Be kinder than necessary because every one you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder - started 9/2011 - platinum perc and sanjay's black photon clownfishes; sps and lps, and soft corals; 250w MH, 20 long sump w Bubble Magus Nac 3.5 skimmer 12g nano cube -serpent star, mini carpet anemones, w 6 sexy shrimp, 150w MH, maxi je

05/31/2009, 05:11 PM	#4
KDDG Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 208	+2 Get an engineer. The money spent will be worth every penny for your peace of mind. __________________ Kelly Current Tank Info: In wall, bar: Approx. 310 Gal

05/31/2009, 05:13 PM	#5
Korrine You could get a ticket!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,288 Blog Entries: 1	Exactly! A tank can be fine for years and then suddenly the floor can't take it anymore and it'll fall. __________________ Try to keep in mind that we are all human...mistakes do happen! Be kinder than necessary because every one you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder - started 9/2011 - platinum perc and sanjay's black photon clownfishes; sps and lps, and soft corals; 250w MH, 20 long sump w Bubble Magus Nac 3.5 skimmer 12g nano cube -serpent star, mini carpet anemones, w 6 sexy shrimp, 150w MH, maxi je

05/31/2009, 10:15 PM	#7
Korrine You could get a ticket!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,288 Blog Entries: 1	I bet he's thinking of the possible algae or over heating issues? __________________ Try to keep in mind that we are all human...mistakes do happen! Be kinder than necessary because every one you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder - started 9/2011 - platinum perc and sanjay's black photon clownfishes; sps and lps, and soft corals; 250w MH, 20 long sump w Bubble Magus Nac 3.5 skimmer 12g nano cube -serpent star, mini carpet anemones, w 6 sexy shrimp, 150w MH, maxi je

05/31/2009, 03:25 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	+1 on the engineer. I know many people will comment that it is no more load than having 8 people stand close together, but 8 people do not stand in one place for years at a time. There are charts available on the net that will give the dead load carrying capacity of given framing members at given spans. You will need to determine the floor joist size (2 x 12) and span between load baring walls.