Tank on 2nd story

Empty Bottles · 11/28/2012, 12:55 AM

Where would I find info regarding putting a tank on the second floor of my house? It's pretty much going to be in the middle of the floor away from any load bearing walls.

chrisfont23 · 11/28/2012, 12:59 AM

Info on what - structural support or tank weight/dimensions?

Pearson · 11/28/2012, 01:22 AM

I guess it would depend on the size of the tank and how much all the tank/stand/equipment will weigh.

I don't really know what you're asking for.

Empty Bottles · 11/28/2012, 01:39 AM

Sorry for not providing more info I thought someone would be able to provide a link or a recommendation on the fly.

I'm wanting to put a 95 gallon wave with sump in my second story bedroom. Looking up from the 1st floor it will be completely unsupported. How do I research this?

acabgd · 11/28/2012, 01:59 AM

It's not that massive... the important thing is to spread the weight on the whole bottom of the stand (flat) instead of 4 single points only (legs).

thegrun · 11/28/2012, 08:23 AM

If it's out in the middle of the room away from load bearing walls I would recommend seeking advice from a residential structural engineer. You are looking at a load of close to 1,500 pounds. I doubt the tank is going to come crashing through the floor, but long term that's enough to start bowing your floor joists depending upon your house's construction. If you have your house framing plan already it is not all that expensive to have the loads checked out.

SGT_York · 11/28/2012, 10:05 AM

If you house is new 1990+ you'll be fine place the tank running perpendicular to the joists the Joists will run the shorter dimension of your home. If you have an older home call an engineer. Also if there is tile flooring in the vicinity you may get some cracks.

AirportFF · 11/28/2012, 04:10 PM

Some species of wood will support a higher load also. I think doug fir will handle more than southern pine for example.

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NirvanaFan · 11/28/2012, 08:13 PM

Spend the money and get an engineer to look at your house. Is the risk really worth not having a pro check it out?

chrisfont23 · 11/28/2012, 08:22 PM

Get eight or nine friends,a few beers and stand over the place you wish to put the tank for an hour or so.

bolling · 11/28/2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Empty Bottles

Where would I find info regarding putting a tank on the second floor of my house? It's pretty much going to be in the middle of the floor away from any load bearing walls.

If you know which way the floor joists run you would want to definately want the tank the opposite way so it crosses them.
Get four really fat guys to stand where you want it and have them jump up and down.

James77 · 11/28/2012, 10:28 PM

There is no real need to hire an engineer, unless you want to spend money. A 95 gallon setup is not all that much weight. Age of the house matters little IMO, I have had 175 gallon tanks sitting in the middle of a room of a 100+ year old house. I did have support with a header and columns, but there was no settling of the joists after 2 years.

You want your tank to run perpendicular to joists and as close to a load bearing wall as you can. If your basement has an open ceiling, chances are the joists run the same way on other floors though there will be a lot of exceptions. You can drill tiny holes to find joists and others should be 16" away. A load bearing wall is one that transfers 100% of its weight to the foundation. Most exterior walls are load bearing. You could find a local hobbyist that knows construction 101 to help you, I'd do it for free.

Empty Bottles · 11/29/2012, 12:26 AM

Unfortunately the place I have in mind will run parellel with the joists. Kinda disappointed it's the perfect spot for a tank, and a guy I know has the tank for sale. Thanks for the replies.

11/28/2012, 12:55 AM	#1
Empty Bottles Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 291	Tank on 2nd story Where would I find info regarding putting a tank on the second floor of my house? It's pretty much going to be in the middle of the floor away from any load bearing walls.

11/28/2012, 01:22 AM	#3
Pearson Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL Posts: 212	I guess it would depend on the size of the tank and how much all the tank/stand/equipment will weigh. I don't really know what you're asking for. __________________ 125g: 40g long sump w/ fuge, asm-g3 skimmer, hydor koralai powerheads, magdrive pumps 90g: Currently in the building process (will be replacing the 29g) 29g: fw community/lightly planted Current Tank Info: 29 gal fw and 125 gal salt

11/28/2012, 10:28 PM	#12
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	There is no real need to hire an engineer, unless you want to spend money. A 95 gallon setup is not all that much weight. Age of the house matters little IMO, I have had 175 gallon tanks sitting in the middle of a room of a 100+ year old house. I did have support with a header and columns, but there was no settling of the joists after 2 years. You want your tank to run perpendicular to joists and as close to a load bearing wall as you can. If your basement has an open ceiling, chances are the joists run the same way on other floors though there will be a lot of exceptions. You can drill tiny holes to find joists and others should be 16" away. A load bearing wall is one that transfers 100% of its weight to the foundation. Most exterior walls are load bearing. You could find a local hobbyist that knows construction 101 to help you, I'd do it for free. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

11/28/2012, 12:59 AM	#2
chrisfont23 Reef Monster Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,343	Info on what - structural support or tank weight/dimensions?

11/28/2012, 01:39 AM	#4
Empty Bottles Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 291	Sorry for not providing more info I thought someone would be able to provide a link or a recommendation on the fly. I'm wanting to put a 95 gallon wave with sump in my second story bedroom. Looking up from the 1st floor it will be completely unsupported. How do I research this?

11/28/2012, 01:59 AM	#5
acabgd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belgrade Posts: 1,086	It's not that massive... the important thing is to spread the weight on the whole bottom of the stand (flat) instead of 4 single points only (legs).

11/28/2012, 08:23 AM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	If it's out in the middle of the room away from load bearing walls I would recommend seeking advice from a residential structural engineer. You are looking at a load of close to 1,500 pounds. I doubt the tank is going to come crashing through the floor, but long term that's enough to start bowing your floor joists depending upon your house's construction. If you have your house framing plan already it is not all that expensive to have the loads checked out.

11/28/2012, 10:05 AM	#7
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	If you house is new 1990+ you'll be fine place the tank running perpendicular to the joists the Joists will run the shorter dimension of your home. If you have an older home call an engineer. Also if there is tile flooring in the vicinity you may get some cracks.

11/28/2012, 04:10 PM	#8
AirportFF Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 53	Some species of wood will support a higher load also. I think doug fir will handle more than southern pine for example. Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

11/28/2012, 08:13 PM	#9
NirvanaFan Reef Ninja Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 4,280	Spend the money and get an engineer to look at your house. Is the risk really worth not having a pro check it out?

11/28/2012, 08:22 PM	#10
chrisfont23 Reef Monster Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,343	Get eight or nine friends,a few beers and stand over the place you wish to put the tank for an hour or so.

11/29/2012, 12:26 AM	#13
Empty Bottles Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 291	Unfortunately the place I have in mind will run parellel with the joists. Kinda disappointed it's the perfect spot for a tank, and a guy I know has the tank for sale. Thanks for the replies.