Thinking of getting out--any engineers out there?

[Boogie]

Of my 75 and 25g tanks that are downstairs and my 125g that is on the main level and getting a 210g. Just think it would be nice to have one bigger display instead of the three I have, well, easier anyways.

Problem is I have a trilevel house and my main level is above a crawl space. That said, the main metal i beam for the center of the house is located apx 1' in front of where the 210g would go and would run along the width of the tank.

Anyone have any idea how I figure out for sure that the floor won't sag if I put a 210g on the main level?

 

[dv3]

Anyone have any idea how I figure out for sure that the floor won't sag if I put a 210g on the main level?

i got it ....when we have a meeting we will get 15 guys to stand in the spot where you want to put your tank ....genius ...i know

 

[Wicked Color]

Thats not that hard to figure out, but very likely the floor will need reinforced for a tank that size.

 

[dv3]

Thats not that hard to figure out

i agree ...

 

[jagermeister]

It's nice that you have a crawl space. I was in the exact same situation as you at my previous house and used a couple of jacks to reinforce the floor. I placed them directly under the tank in the crawl space and tightened them until they were just snug. Then I filled the aquarium up. I had no sag and no "bouncing" even though the tank, 120gal, was located in the center of the room and parallel to the floor joists.

The jacks are around $15 a piece and you can get them at Home Depot in the construction section.

Cheap insurance imo!

 

[Boogie]

yeah. Just found a thread where a guy took some floor jacks, set them on those pre cast pyramid looking things for setting you deck and spanned two 4x4 s across where the tank would be. That wouldn't be too hard or expensive to do at all.

 

[amonchak]

I agree with the concrete bases and maybe even some 3/4" plywood under the concrete bases and jacks. This will help to distribute the load across a wider area. Also make sure that the soil in the crawl space is compacted and not loose so that there is no soil settling under the load which could lead to the floor settling.

If you need more help let me know and we can talk.

 

[that0neguy1126]

I have a 240 gallon tank sitting right on top of the I beam in my house. The I beam runs the length of the tank. This means the tank is sitting on about 8 2x12's. I highly doubt you would see any sag at all. I measured from my basement and there is less than an 1/8" of difference with the tank fully filled.

If you think about the math, lets say 10lbs per gallon, you are looking at 2100lbs of weight, but you are distributing that weight over what? 18" x 96"? the force is actually less than that of a person standing there.

If I understand what you are saying, the I beam in your house runs the other way? If that is the case, the tank would still be sitting on at least 2 2x12's. which are more than strong enough to hold that kind of weight.

If you are really worried about it, you can go to Home Depot or Lowes and get the floor jacks for about $80 a piece.

 

[bsharpe]

I am impressed, I thought you all would say duct tape........

 

[miwoodar]

Of my 75 and 25g tanks that are downstairs and my 125g that is on the main level and getting a 210g. Just think it would be nice to have one bigger display instead of the three I have, well, easier anyways.

Problem is I have a trilevel house and my main level is above a crawl space. That said, the main metal i beam for the center of the house is located apx 1' in front of where the 210g would go and would run along the width of the tank.

Anyone have any idea how I figure out for sure that the floor won't sag if I put a 210g on the main level?

I'm having a hard time picturing your problem. The tank will be running parallel to the joists but perpendicular to, and sitting on top of, the beam? (bisecting)

I agree with the other post though - jacks are easy if needed.

I know how you feel BTW, there was a time that I had a diverse 500 gallons (FW/SW mix) while I was taking care of more than 600 gallons for clients....it was AWESOME to go down to one tank to focus on.

 

[Off The Deep End]

I think this is what he means, [attachment=60128:name]


Dont laugh im no artist

 

[Boogie]

Dillon's got it! Thanks. So I am planning on running two apx three foot 4x4s and supporting with four total floor jacks. Next question would be the chance that the wooden I beams that support my floor will crush between the weight of the tank and the pressure from the floor jacks?

 

[aztecdreams]

I had my 240 on the main floor of my 100 year old house. It was over a bedroom in the basement against an outside wall. I worried for the first year but didn't see any sag

 

[Boogie]

Hmm ok..now to move the 125. Sell the other two tanks. Buy a bigger tank. Support the floor. Finish the basement sump and then install new tank...simple....umm.....

 

[that0neguy1126]

Ok boogie, that picture is exactly the same as how my tank is set up. Which means running perpendicular to the I-Beam are 2x12's. Depending on the length of your tank, its going to sit on anywhere from 4 to 8 2x12's. I was worried about this when I set up my 240gallon, until a buddy of mine pointed out that over the garage door, a single 2x12 is all that holds up that roof.

When I started looking on various sites to see how much weight a 2x12 could hold, it was unbelievable. A single 2x12x96 supported only on each end can support over 1000 lbs without bowing. I dont have the source for this, but it came from a site linked off RC where this question was asked.

The chance of the wooden beams crushing if you support it is slim to none, since the tank sits so close to your I-Beam, all of the weight is going to be transferred to it anyway.

 

[miwoodar]

Thanks Dillon. I agree with the others that you'll be fine. I can't imagine a better location for such a tank.

 

[Off The Deep End]

Hmm ok..now to move the 125. Sell the other two tanks. Buy a bigger tank. Support the floor. Finish the basement sump and then install new tank...simple....umm.....

LMK if you need some help.

 

[Boogie]

LMK if you need some help.

Oh I WILL, trust me. =)