Calling all engineers

[lilredwuck]

Ok so here is the deal. I want to put my fish tank in my front room. Which is on the first floor. There is a basement. It is a finished basement. We have 2x8 floor joists 16" on center, spanning 12-13'. I am looking at a 135 gallon tank, with a 55 gallon sump. I have had 2 stacked 55 gallon tanks upstairs, but this is about double here, All the downstairs is finished, and the house is for sale.

 

[acrylic51]

Any vertical support beams in the finished basement? What supports the floor joist? A long steel beam?

 

[lilredwuck]

There is the center beam that runs down the middle of the house, it's made by double stacked 2x somethings, house was finished when we bought it, with the exception of some of the garage, under the center support, I know there are steal poles with the top you crank up, don't know the name of them, but I know there are a couple of those, and there is a wall that runs under it, except for a couple of doorways, which I'm sure they have headers, maybe not who knows. House was built in the 60's some time. I'll see if I can get some pictures.

 

[lilredwuck]

Ok double or triple 2x8s support the 2x8 floor joists and I beleive 4x4 wood posts support the center beam.
The only place in my basement that isn't finished was under the stairs, which houses the furnace and hot water heater. I can post more pictures if wanted/needed, to get a better feel for everything. There are two spots in the front room I could fiddle with getting some support underneath, One runs with the floor joist and one runs parallel to them.

 

[posiden]

I do not want to crush any dreams here but, if your selling the house why do you want to get started on such a large tank?? Just set on the idea for a while until your in a permanent spot.

 

[acrylic51]

I did think the same thing when I first read the post Posiden myself, but I can be rather impatient at times, so I know how he feels somewhat!!!!! Plus with the house on the market might detract some potential buyers.....

 

[posiden]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/380844/calling-all-engineers#post_3315490
I did think the same thing when I first read the post Posiden myself, but I can be rather impatient at times, so I know how he feels somewhat!!!!! Plus with the house on the market might detract some potential buyers.....
I wasn't even thinking of that. Good point. Folks might wonder just how much water was spilled with a large tank in the home. Or deformation of the floor.

 

[lilredwuck]

The house has been on the market for over 6 months now. There is a 65 gallon saltwater tank in my room, and a 30 gallon fresh built into the wall in the front room. This would get me through the break in period of the tank, and frankly I have wanted one for a couple of years now. I can't wait, I need something in my life that makes me happy. Who knows when I will get my own house. Long story short, I take care of my grandpa, he's 81, and my mother lives in the basement. (FUN!) Quite frankly I am just tired of waiting, and who knows when we will get another house. I am disabled myself, and quite frankly a highly depressed person. So I am just tired of waiting, and just looking, The inside of the house has been totally redone, brand new carpet, doors, trim, hardwood floors, etc, and still hasn't sold, but I am not looking for the perfect set up, as I will do that in my permenant house, but I don't want to waste my time or money on a tank or equipment I will want to change later. This also spreads out the investment, and gives the tank the time it needs to get stable. It's like here is a new car, but you can't drive it, you just get to look at it, and wait until some unknown time before you can. I WANT I WANT I WANT!!!! Don't you understand the feeling?? The tank in my room, I bought used, so it's not exactly what I want, but it got me the experience, and it was cheap.

 

[lilredwuck]

Plus, I don't care what people think, I don't like people. People let me down. I don't have people to count on, with the exception of my wife. If people don't buy a house because of a fish tank oh well. If they wouldn't buy the house because of a fish tank, then they definitely wouldn't buy the house because of the old man smell in my grandpa's room! Eww. lol.

 

[posiden]

I is "people". I wish you nothing but the best. Take care.

 

[lilredwuck]

Ok I ran an ad on craigslist asking for opinions as well. I got the don't do it, some mumbo jumbo and spam. I did however receive this email I would like to share with you guys, and see what you think as well.
"You should be fine as long as the floor joists are in good shape with no rot or previous water damage. My advice is to keep the tank as close to the support beam and outside wall as possible. Also, have the tank going opposite the joists. If your joists run north south, set the tank up east west. 2x10 joists should hold 3000 pounds believe it or not, so your 2x8 joists should hold about 2300 pounds. You will be at about 1600 pounds of water alone. Hope this helps. "
I have some pictures that might help a little as well to my plans.
This first picture is where I have a 125 sitting in the front room. The second picture is what is below the tank. I am wondering if the closet there, and the angled wall seperating the bathroom and laundry is going to help to stiffen up or help support the tank? This is the only thing keeping me from setting up the tank up and getting it going.
The floor joists run from the front of the house to the back of the house. The front of the house has the 3 windows.

This is what is directly below where the tank sits. There is a closet in the back left and an angled wall seperating the bathroom from the laundry.

And just to let you know, I filled the tank with water a while back, right where it sits, to check for leaks and let it sit for a day. Should have done it outside I know, but I couldn't move it by myself. I didn't have the sump filled under it though, so that would add another 55 gallons of weight. I am greatful for the help, I just want to be certain, you parents would understand. Oh and yes that blue bucket is my RODI water. I am going to make a new thread in the reef section for help on setting everything up right the first time. I can add or take better pictures if needed, and YES I STILL HAVEN'T FIXED THE TIME STAMP ON THE CAMERA! LOL.