Is Weight an issue?

luvzz2play · 08/18/2012, 08:19 AM

Hello all. New to the saltwater world and am wanting to set up a tank in the 125-135 range and have seen weights on those can be in excess of 1400 lbs.

Do i need to worry about that crashing through the floor into the basement? If i've calculated correctly that's at least 116 lbs per sq foot.

Paul B · 08/18/2012, 08:23 AM

I have never heard of a tank crashing through the floor but it could possably crash through the sub flooring. Your basement ceiling beams are capable of carrying the weight of a tank but you need to be careful that the legs of your stand are positioned on the beams. If the stand lays flat on the floor and spans a few beams there is no problem. You need to go to the basement with someone who understands construction and take a look.

EllieSuz · 08/18/2012, 08:24 AM

There are some variables here, including whether the tank sits across the floor joists so the weight is distributed among several of them or whether it sits parallel and only one or two of the joists bares the weight. I elected to purchase a floor jack at HD and installed it in the basement, just to be on the safe side. If I remember correctly, it was around $40 and has paid for itself in peace of mind.

albano · 08/18/2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvzz2play

am wanting to set up a tank in the 125-135 range and have seen weights on those can be in excess of 1400 lbs.

If i've calculated correctly that's at least 116 lbs per sq foot.

not that it's a problem...but besides the tank/stand/canopy/water/LR/sand/sump/lighting/etc weight of 1400 lbs +...you need to figure in the weight of yourself and 2 or 3 friends standing there admiring your 'handiwork'! That could be an easy 600+ add'l lbs

eyesinthedrk · 08/18/2012, 09:55 AM

im going with paul on this one. ive seen a hundred threads worried about weight and not one where a tank crashed through. at this point i toss this into the "reef paranoia & myths" file, which by the, way is so big it also needs to have a reinforced floor to hold it up.

now i have heard of a guy falling through his ceiling trying wire his tank but that's not the same.

ken55 · 08/18/2012, 10:33 AM

FWIW, I know a guy whose tank burst from a shift in the floor due to excessive weight. It didn't fall through the floor but the floor started to sag and it caused the seal at the right lower rear corner to separate.

Not trying to scare you and the tank I'm refering to was a 300g so the weight was easily double the amount you are talking about. However, I would not summarily dismiss the notion that weight can be an issue.

Don't forget, it's not just water weight but also sand, rockwork, stand, sump, equipment. It can add up quickly.

Just my .02 Good Luck with the hobby.

08/18/2012, 08:19 AM	#1
luvzz2play Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South of St Louis, MO Posts: 238	Is Weight an issue? Hello all. New to the saltwater world and am wanting to set up a tank in the 125-135 range and have seen weights on those can be in excess of 1400 lbs. Do i need to worry about that crashing through the floor into the basement? If i've calculated correctly that's at least 116 lbs per sq foot.

08/18/2012, 08:23 AM	#2
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	I have never heard of a tank crashing through the floor but it could possably crash through the sub flooring. Your basement ceiling beams are capable of carrying the weight of a tank but you need to be careful that the legs of your stand are positioned on the beams. If the stand lays flat on the floor and spans a few beams there is no problem. You need to go to the basement with someone who understands construction and take a look. __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

08/18/2012, 08:24 AM	#3
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	There are some variables here, including whether the tank sits across the floor joists so the weight is distributed among several of them or whether it sits parallel and only one or two of the joists bares the weight. I elected to purchase a floor jack at HD and installed it in the basement, just to be on the safe side. If I remember correctly, it was around $40 and has paid for itself in peace of mind. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

08/18/2012, 09:55 AM	#5
eyesinthedrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Williamsport, PA Posts: 675	im going with paul on this one. ive seen a hundred threads worried about weight and not one where a tank crashed through. at this point i toss this into the "reef paranoia & myths" file, which by the, way is so big it also needs to have a reinforced floor to hold it up. now i have heard of a guy falling through his ceiling trying wire his tank but that's not the same. __________________ Everybody knows you never go full retard. Current Tank Info: SPS dominated, 125 gallon dt with 3 Apollo reef LED pendants, Apex Controler. 100 gal basement sump, 100 gallon basement fuge, euro reef skimmer, reef octopu s cr140 calcium reactor. Phos an reactor.

08/18/2012, 10:33 AM	#6
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	FWIW, I know a guy whose tank burst from a shift in the floor due to excessive weight. It didn't fall through the floor but the floor started to sag and it caused the seal at the right lower rear corner to separate. Not trying to scare you and the tank I'm refering to was a 300g so the weight was easily double the amount you are talking about. However, I would not summarily dismiss the notion that weight can be an issue. Don't forget, it's not just water weight but also sand, rockwork, stand, sump, equipment. It can add up quickly. Just my .02 Good Luck with the hobby. __________________ Current tank info: Last time I saw them they were leaning against a tree in my ex's backyard.