Aquarium Size Help Please

tanuki

tanuki

Member
I am going to look at an upgraded tank today (180 gallon). I really want it, and I love the style, but my big concern is my floor's weight capacity?
I found a guide online showing that a full 180 gallon tank is roughly 2100 lbs, but there are other factors:
180+ lbs of live rock
75 gallon sump
stand
Hood
Pumps
etc
My guess is that the entire contraption will fall into the 3,000 lb category.
When you do the math, this comes out to about 250lbs per square foot.
I know that code will differ from state to state, but does anyone have any idea on what a floor can generally support? I am assuming you want to run the tank across as many beams as possible to help with the weight distribution, but that is about all I can come up with.
I looked online a little, but there was no real consistent answer.
Help?
 
tanuki

tanuki

Member
Here is my floor plan. The tank I have now is represented by the red rectangle in the image. That is the second floor. I would like to either place the new bigger tank there, or if that won't work, I will put it on the main floor which is a solid slab. I have also been thinking about putting the sump/ refugium (75 gallons) into the laundry room on the other side of that wall and running piping through the wall to the display. This would make maintenance easier and reduce the weight.
Floors are TJI Joist.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Unless you can verify how your floor is built, material, size, spacing of joints and such I probably wouldn't go any bigger than a 100G up there. Just me.
 
tanuki

tanuki

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///forum/thread/386821/aquarium-size-help-please#post_3399667
Whoa! Now I really like it..where is this?
I am out in Utah. My house is solar powered too if that adds anything.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/386821/aquarium-size-help-please#post_3399669
Unless you can verify how your floor is built, material, size, spacing of joints and such I probably wouldn't go any bigger than a 100G up there. Just me.
^Yeah I am waiting to hear from my contractor, but I agree. It's not worth the risk.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Hey at least you have the first floor to fall back on. Like 2Quills said, unless you get info from the builder I would opt for the slab. With the location of the tank, it is kinda in the middle of the house and not being sure what kind of support beams are there I would go the better safe then sorry route.
Now, if you can get it on the second floor, I love the idea of going into the laundry room for the plumbing. It makes maintenance much easier.
+1 on a cool looking house. It looked like a huge town home from the floor plan.
Good Luck!!!
Quote:
I would like to either place the new bigger tank there, or if that won't work, I will put it on the main floor which is a solid slab.
 
jerth6932

jerth6932

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386821/aquarium-size-help-please#post_3399661
Here is my floor plan. The tank I have now is represented by the red rectangle in the image. That is the second floor. I would like to either place the new bigger tank there, or if that won't work, I will put it on the main floor which is a solid slab. I have also been thinking about putting the sump/ refugium (75 gallons) into the laundry room on the other side of that wall and running piping through the wall to the display. This would make maintenance easier and reduce the weight.
Floors are TJI Joist.

I couldn't help but notice that the cars in the diagram look like a Posche and Lotus??? LOL True to life????
 
jerth6932

jerth6932

Active Member
I was close.....(I wish I was rich enough to "dream" about being a BMW/Mini family, and why didn't ya say a REAL BMW and a English knock off?) When do you find out if your are going to get the new tank?
 
tanuki

tanuki

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerth6932 http:///forum/thread/386821/aquarium-size-help-please#post_3399714
I was close.....(I wish I was rich enough to "dream" about being a BMW/Mini family, and why didn't ya say a REAL BMW and a English knock off?) When do you find out if your are going to get the new tank?
Luckily BMW and MINI have both made cars for over 40 years, so because of that, just about anyone can afford one! I didn't say I bought new haha.
Anyway, I am getting the tank and it should be here Monday (I hope).
 
jerth6932

jerth6932

Active Member
Quote:
Luckily BMW and MINI have both made cars for over 40 years, so because of that, just about anyone can afford one! I didn't say I bought new haha.
You have a point......

Can't wait to see it when you get it!!!! I knew when you said you would wait a few years then upgrade, the bug would bite and it would be sooner........
 
saltwaterdud3

saltwaterdud3

Member
me, personally - unless you know which way your beams are going, I would stick to the bottom floor slab. 250p/sf is a lot of pressure - even for three joists to hold up. I wouldn't risk it.
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
i have my 250 with 75 sump on pier and beam.same difference.but i do have it across the joists and up against a wall where the concrete outside wall beam is.been there a year and a half .
 
jerth6932

jerth6932

Active Member

^I only went bigger because I really like the stand and it was cheap. I could have waited. ;)
Yep, uhh huhhh (eyes roll).......... I believe ya! :laughing:
 
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