coming back to the hobby - quick question on tank weight

Anemone0524 · 11/28/2021, 06:59 PM

hi all - i'm drawing up plans for a new tank and wanted to run this by some big brain aquarists.

My prior tank was a 150 gal rimless beauty with sump, approx 200 gallons of water on a main floor. Although the wall was load bearing, and the house was new construction, i did not want to play any games with floor strength and actually bought a standjack to support the floor underneath the tank.

This time around, different house, different tank. Going with a ReeferXL 525 from Bulk Reef Supply, the 108 gallon. with 31 gal sump, its 139 gallons total.

Using hamzas reef calculator, thats 1235 pounds full with salt water. Lets assume 1,400 pounds with live rock and other equipment.

Here is where the tank will go, up against the wall:

I can't tell what is directly underneath the tank as its drywalled. But this is what it looks like 8 feet away in another area of the basement. 2"x14"s 16" apart. They will run perpendicular to the tank.

The tank location is up against a staircase going to the basement. On the other side of that staircase, 5 feet away, is this metal girder.

House was built in 2015. I'm thinking i'm okay here given the footprint of the tank and proximity to load bearing walls.

Anyone disagree?

tmorford · 11/28/2021, 10:29 PM

I think you are in good shape due to the perpendicular beams. The weight is spread across the structure.

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Sk8r · 12/03/2021, 06:33 PM

We're assuming same orientation. If you have any worries you could put a vertical brace or two under the central beam, up against the drywall. Sheetrock them in if there's a 'beauty' requirement. Call it a decorative fea-cha.

polywise · 12/04/2021, 08:13 AM

how much does the empty tank/stand weigh?

sivob · 12/05/2021, 09:27 AM

You can always liquid nail and nail (12" on center top/bottom of the wood I beam) 3/4" cdx plywood to the wood I beams below the tank. Hopefully that makes sense. I would use the 8' length of the plywood.

11/28/2021, 06:59 PM	#1
Anemone0524 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NoVA Posts: 434	coming back to the hobby - quick question on tank weight hi all - i'm drawing up plans for a new tank and wanted to run this by some big brain aquarists. My prior tank was a 150 gal rimless beauty with sump, approx 200 gallons of water on a main floor. Although the wall was load bearing, and the house was new construction, i did not want to play any games with floor strength and actually bought a standjack to support the floor underneath the tank. This time around, different house, different tank. Going with a ReeferXL 525 from Bulk Reef Supply, the 108 gallon. with 31 gal sump, its 139 gallons total. Using hamzas reef calculator, thats 1235 pounds full with salt water. Lets assume 1,400 pounds with live rock and other equipment. Here is where the tank will go, up against the wall: I can't tell what is directly underneath the tank as its drywalled. But this is what it looks like 8 feet away in another area of the basement. 2"x14"s 16" apart. They will run perpendicular to the tank. The tank location is up against a staircase going to the basement. On the other side of that staircase, 5 feet away, is this metal girder. House was built in 2015. I'm thinking i'm okay here given the footprint of the tank and proximity to load bearing walls. Anyone disagree? __________________ Aaron 150g rimless 60x30x20, ATI Sunpower x8, 2 48" Reefbrite Blue LED, MSX 200, Vortech MP40w x 2, BRS CA/ALK Dosers, Biopellets and GFO Last edited by Anemone0524; 11/28/2021 at 07:07 PM.

12/03/2021, 06:33 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	We're assuming same orientation. If you have any worries you could put a vertical brace or two under the central beam, up against the drywall. Sheetrock them in if there's a 'beauty' requirement. Call it a decorative fea-cha. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

12/04/2021, 08:13 AM	#4
polywise OLD SCHOOL-ish Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Somers, NY Posts: 889	how much does the empty tank/stand weigh? __________________ Jim C.

11/28/2021, 10:29 PM	#2
tmorford Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: red bank NJ Posts: 24	I think you are in good shape due to the perpendicular beams. The weight is spread across the structure. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/05/2021, 09:27 AM	#5
sivob Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Right in the middle of where Wisconsin sucks and Indiana blows Posts: 199	You can always liquid nail and nail (12" on center top/bottom of the wood I beam) 3/4" cdx plywood to the wood I beams below the tank. Hopefully that makes sense. I would use the 8' length of the plywood.