Will my tank end up in the basement?

[efrank]

Slick the floor below is my living room. I can't add support beams in the middle of my livingroom. My wife is about to kick me out for buying this tank in the first palce.
I am going to put the tank in with about 70 gallons of water and 250lbs of Sand and see how stable it is. If it is in the least bit ify I will move it to the basement. I also plan on calling the builder tomorrow to see what way the floor joices run. I figure if I can catch three of them I should be fine.

 

[slick]

ok now I understand I wasen't aware that your basement was finished. If you put it there and it is iffy and you cant get it in your basement let me know there are a few ways to add some support that you can make look nice even though it's in your living room.

 

[efrank]

I am interested to know how. What do you think I can add for support that wouldn't look strange? Just so you know the support would be right next to a wall if I were to add something.

 

[slick]

Well you could add a header like 2 2x8's and then add your support under both ends. I am assuming your tank will be right above the wall you spoke of. So when you put this support up put it out away from the wall like 12 inches or so. Now go get some nice wood and frame up over the support wood and make it into a book shelf or something your wife can set stuff on. You know how woman have stuff like candles and little porcaline dolls and such. Just make it look like a piece of cabnitery. Nobody will ever knoe that it's there to hold up the floor. Now I don't know how you room is set up so this might or might not work but I think you get the drift. If your not good at wood working then have a buddy help you. I don't think it would be that hard.

 

[bradburycf]

Your floor will hold it. I've done a lot of framing, and you're golden. If there is still any doubt in your mind, just ensure that the tank is perpendicular to the floor joists. By doing that, you also ensure that the wall it is aginst will be a bearing wall. (you're not going to have it in the middle of the room are you?) The flooring, joists, and walls will all absorb and distribute the weight.

 

[efrank]

OK, I went the store to pick up the tank today and when I saw it and then I saw three men struggle to pick just the tank up, I decided I better not chance it. The Oceanic guide says that full the 120g would only weigh 1100lbs but I can't believe that is with sand and rock.
Anyway I changed to a 90g tank. I thought I would be better off with it. What do you think?

 

[slick]

Efrank I have a 90 and I think it's great. You can always upgrade at a later date.
Bradburycf I'm not trying to flame you here but there is no way you can say for sure that his floor could hold that tank. Have you seen his house? Have you inspected his joists? Do you know how old his house is? There are just to many things that could be factors in this case. I don't dought that you know what you are doing but like you I have done a lot of framing also and just thought it would be better not to chance it. But thats just my opinion.

 

[sgt__york]

Ok.. i'm just jealous that this thread is getting more hits than my "grrr to catch a fish" - but i'm catch'n up hahaha
Sounds wise to go to a lower size - even if the floor DOES hold - it's not worth the constant 'worry' of wondering.
I can feel for you tho. I built a garage that's about the size of my house - 40ft x 30ft. It has an 11ft high first floor and a 2nd floor as well. I wanted the first floor open - so I had to design it with steel beams.
The kicker is - i bought this huge thing for businss purposes - i use the 2nd floor for storage. I actually have steel shelving like you see at lowes that house things. I agnozied, talked with an engineer about lbs/inch and all as well. I ended up upgrading my beam size to like 14inches (when he said 12 would be enough).
To this day i STILL climb up there and look down the beams to see if they are stressed at all. Wonder if the 5-6 column of 2x4's are strong enough to hold all that weight. Wonder if the next hurrican that comes thru will make this top heavy bldg collapse. I have a 1968 mustang i'm restoring as well as a 2001 Honda. Do i dare put them in? LOL
All to say - I feel for ya bud! Best advice i'd give ya - go with what gives you peace of mind!!
Overkill the supports; spread the weight over as large a surface as you can; do the math and get professionals to double check; EXPERIMENT by putting weights on the floor (sand bags etc) and have someone jump up/down near it - while you go downstairs and measure off directly below it for how much give it makes; lower the size (as you have done); etc
Do what gives YOU peace of mind It's like a woman, you can't ENJOY each other, if one of ya are worrying about something else