140 on 2nd Floor, safe?

agent6473 · 06/02/2007, 01:00 PM

Hello All,
I've done some searching around on the topic, but I'm interested in more opinions. I'm looking at replacing my 72bow with a 140. It is on the 2nd floor in a house against an outside brick wall. Not sure what size floor joists are used in the house. It was built around 1940 or so, and seems to be well built in general. The room it would be in has a hardwood floor. I've had no problems with the 72 with a 29 gal sump under it, but I'm questioning the 140.

What would your opinions be on this?

Thanks,
Chris

agent6473 · 06/02/2007, 01:01 PM

Also,
The 140 is a 48" long tank.

alan214 · 06/02/2007, 01:33 PM

The theory is that as long as you're against a load-bearing wall and going perpendicular to the floor joists, you should be fine.

I'm like you though; is a 140G pushing it?

For what it's worth, I had a 120G long tank in a 2nd floor appartment but what I did to be safe was put down a metal plate (about 1/16th inch thick, I think) under the tank that extended out 6" out all the way around the stand. I was worried about the concrete under the carpet and padding giving way. This may have been overkill but I had no issues with the tank, though.

celano · 06/02/2007, 01:53 PM

We recently(about 6months) moved into an older home with a second floor. When we moved we decided to upgrade our 30g to a 75rr and it went on the second floor. We have 2x6's on the main floor(our basement isnt finished so you can see them). Not sure if this is any indication what was used for the second floor, but the tanks been up now for awhile and no signs of stress in the flooring.
It worked out really nice where we put it because the tank is perpendicular to the floor joists and sits right over the main support beam for the second floor.

agent6473 · 06/03/2007, 08:29 PM

anymore comments on the issue?

sfilingeri · 06/03/2007, 08:40 PM

Well I guess there is only one way to find out right?

You said your 72 with a 29 sump was no problem which is 101 gallons so 140 I guess really isnt too much more drastic, compared to, a 180 or bigger.....

Oh and one last thing, just make sure there is no couch or bed directly underneath your 140.....hehe

crazyguy34834 · 06/03/2007, 08:46 PM

when you hear creeking and wood popping....um....RUN

frederickk · 06/08/2007, 06:38 PM

I'm personally not sure I would take that risk unless I am pretty sure of the way the house is build.

I use to have a 77g in a corner of the living in a century house and felt that even if the corners were very strong hundred years ago I was still afraid of the weight effect.

When we did left the appartment I was under the impression that the floor had curl in the middle where the tank was standing.

06/02/2007, 01:00 PM	#1
agent6473 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 56	140 on 2nd Floor, safe? Hello All, I've done some searching around on the topic, but I'm interested in more opinions. I'm looking at replacing my 72bow with a 140. It is on the 2nd floor in a house against an outside brick wall. Not sure what size floor joists are used in the house. It was built around 1940 or so, and seems to be well built in general. The room it would be in has a hardwood floor. I've had no problems with the 72 with a 29 gal sump under it, but I'm questioning the 140. What would your opinions be on this? Thanks, Chris

06/02/2007, 01:33 PM	#3
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	The theory is that as long as you're against a load-bearing wall and going perpendicular to the floor joists, you should be fine. I'm like you though; is a 140G pushing it? For what it's worth, I had a 120G long tank in a 2nd floor appartment but what I did to be safe was put down a metal plate (about 1/16th inch thick, I think) under the tank that extended out 6" out all the way around the stand. I was worried about the concrete under the carpet and padding giving way. This may have been overkill but I had no issues with the tank, though. __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR

06/02/2007, 01:53 PM	#4
celano Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 910	We recently(about 6months) moved into an older home with a second floor. When we moved we decided to upgrade our 30g to a 75rr and it went on the second floor. We have 2x6's on the main floor(our basement isnt finished so you can see them). Not sure if this is any indication what was used for the second floor, but the tanks been up now for awhile and no signs of stress in the flooring. It worked out really nice where we put it because the tank is perpendicular to the floor joists and sits right over the main support beam for the second floor. __________________ To many men work on parts of things. Doing a job to completion satifies me. Current tank info: The space between what's wrong and right.

06/02/2007, 01:01 PM	#2
agent6473 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 56	Also, The 140 is a 48" long tank.

06/03/2007, 08:29 PM	#5
agent6473 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 56	anymore comments on the issue?

06/03/2007, 08:40 PM	#6
sfilingeri Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Richmond,Virginia Posts: 171	Well I guess there is only one way to find out right? You said your 72 with a 29 sump was no problem which is 101 gallons so 140 I guess really isnt too much more drastic, compared to, a 180 or bigger..... Oh and one last thing, just make sure there is no couch or bed directly underneath your 140.....hehe

06/03/2007, 08:46 PM	#7
crazyguy34834 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 353	when you hear creeking and wood popping....um....RUN

06/08/2007, 06:38 PM	#8
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	I'm personally not sure I would take that risk unless I am pretty sure of the way the house is build. I use to have a 77g in a corner of the living in a century house and felt that even if the corners were very strong hundred years ago I was still afraid of the weight effect. When we did left the appartment I was under the impression that the floor had curl in the middle where the tank was standing.