Weight factor in older homes?

[d.w.]

I had intended on waiting to start my 90 gal FOWLR tank (which I have been planning for a few years now) until I moved, but that is looking like it isn't going to happen any time in the near future, so I think I'm just going to go ahead and dive in now. Before I do so though, I want to make sure it is a wise decision. The only thing holding me back right now is that I currently live in a victorian home (over 150 years old) so naturally I am concerned that the house was not built to handle the burden of a 90 gal tank with stand complete with 100lbs LR. Unfortuantely, I do not own the house, I rent so I am unable to do anything to change the structure of the house itself. I live on the main floor of the house, but there is a basement beneath me which is not part of my personal area.
Is it foolish to go ahead with my plans and do you wise people who are in the know think that the weight would be too much for a house as time worn as mine? The last thing I want is to have my new FOWLR crash through my floor!!
Thanks in advance!

 

[autofreak44]

i wouldnt risk it but if you realy want to find a large support beam under the floor and place the tank on top of that

 

[oceansidefish]

You may want to ask the owner of the house...But furniture used to be very heavy, IE solid wood. I would assume that most homes even if older should be able to hold 60 pounds per square foot. You could also go in and add some cross beams in the basement if there is an open ceiling.

 

[scsinet]

If the basement is clear underneath the tank, then you can reinforce the floor without modifying the house.
First off, it may not be necessary as most older homes are built stronger than they are today. They didn't have the kind of structual engineering we have today, and wood was cheaper, so they just err'd on the side of caution.
Of course, you want to be sure that the tank is oriented so it sites perpendicular to the floor joists, not parallel.
Figure out where the spot directly under the tank is in the basement. Then take a couple of 2x10s, and cut them to the length of the tank plus about 24" (so it will span past each side of the tank to the next joist over). Nail them together to form a beam. Then place them on top of a jack stand across the joists directly under the tank and raise the stand and tighten until it's firm.
That's it. The jack stands are the type you use in older homes to correct sags in the floor, so they can handle the weight. You should be able to get them at any home improvement store. One will do for a 90, but you can get two if you want.

 

[veni vidi vici]

Originally Posted by SCSInet
If the basement is clear underneath the tank, then you can reinforce the floor without modifying the house.
First off, it may not be necessary as most older homes are built stronger than they are today. They didn't have the kind of structual engineering we have today, and wood was cheaper, so they just err'd on the side of caution.
Of course, you want to be sure that the tank is oriented so it sites perpendicular to the floor joists, not parallel.
Figure out where the spot directly under the tank is in the basement. Then take a couple of 2x10s, and cut them to the length of the tank plus about 24" (so it will span past each side of the tank to the next joist over). Nail them together to form a beam. Then place them on top of a jack stand across the joists directly under the tank and raise the stand and tighten until it's firm.
That's it. The jack stands are the type you use in older homes to correct sags in the floor, so they can handle the weight. You should be able to get them at any home improvement store. One will do for a 90, but you can get two if you want.
Good idea but alittle more complex than that,if you decide to go that rout make sure what ever you use for support,be it wood post,lolly colum,or house jack.make sure the colums are plumb otherwise the weight displacement will cause the beam to lean and eventualy pop out like a rock from under a tire

oh yeah,if the house is 150 years old and the basement floor is original then its probably dirt.make sure you have a good footing for what ever you use for a suport colum....concrete,masonary blocks......
IMO if i where to do what you wantto do ,id do this. put DT on exterior wall with floor joist running under DT front to back not length of tank,then provideing basement floor is concrete frame a conventional 2x4 wall, studs cut to length and stacked under floor joist. plumb and square ,nailed to floor and bottom of joist.its alot cheaper than the way mentioned above.Good luck

 

[veni vidi vici]

Opps..... it occured to me that you may not have to do anything at all

if you can get into the basement and the cieling is exposed measure the floor joist(top of joist to bottom of joist) and the spaceing in between them,also measure the span of the joists in between the 2 bearing points you want to put your tank. that would help in giving you your answer.

 

[kwiknezy1]

well IMO, older houses was built alot sturdier than todays standards. Look at the outer beams on the house, also look at the main support beams ( there should be one going the full length of the house) Also alot of older houses have the crank type support ( from the ground to the main brace) Also some people used huge flat rocks. I live in a 100 year old house and this is how mine is built. The problem isnt the floor holding it up, it is finding a moderately level place to put it. that was my problem. I ended up placing my tank on an outside wall ( house has a 12" by 12" beam around the foundation, main support wall) Right now including my sump/fuge i have 110 gallons and i have no problems. It just took a few wedges to level the tank. So once again these older houses are built to last. oh yeah, one more thing too, most of the floors was made from hard wood running diagnal, so there is no particle board, or plywood floors either. Now whoever had the house before you might have put down a plywood floor over the hardwood for like floor tiles, or even vinyl flooring. this part of the floor would ofcourse be stronger. So i think youll be safe, go to a local hardware store and get some wedges before setting up your tank.. It will save you an extra trip back to the local home depot. Also dont forget the level...LOL

 

[crimzy]

I wouldn't worry about a 90 gallon at all. I had a 125 gallon on the 2nd floor of a 1976 house with no problem. I mean, think about it, a grand piano can weigh over a thousand pounds and nobody is overly concerned about keeping them. Just make sure you are perpendicular to the joists and it helps if the tank is along an external wall. JMO.

 

[veni vidi vici]

Originally Posted by KwikNezy1
well IMO, older houses was built alot sturdier than todays standards.
Heh heh i woulnd be so sure about that.Ive seen some pretty crazy old school carpentry

everytime i open up a wall in a old house its suprise.Never know what kind of crazy frameing your gonna find ,plus ive started up a pretty nice collection of antique whisky bottels as well. Dang drunkin carpenters....somethings never change lol

 

[newbostonconst]

I agree with crimzy. Outside wall or near a beam, and perpandicular. Jump up and down on the floor to see if it feels sturdy, this will tell u if there are major problems.

 

[kwiknezy1]

Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
Heh heh i woulnd be so sure about that.Ive seen some pretty crazy old school carpentry

everytime i open up a wall in a old house its suprise.Never know what kind of crazy frameing your gonna find ,plus ive started up a pretty nice collection of antique whisky bottels as well. Dang drunkin carpenters....somethings never change lol
True, i found mason jars in the walls, must have been used for Shine.. oh well i guess the drunker they got the better the house was...LOL

 

[jovial]

This may be helpful
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

 

[watertight]

I'm just guessing here, but I'd reckon the weight of an 80 gallon tank would be no more than 500 kg's? That's a lot of weight, but no more than 4 big men. The tank stands on at least 4 legs, so that's only 125 kilo's per leg. If 4 125 kilo men stood together in one spot, each with only 1 foot on the ground, I seriously doubt they would crash through the floor. A wierd way of looking at it maybe, but still worth putting into perspective....