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innomen/dennis`
03/22/2002, 02:07 PM
In my attempt at convincing the person with whom i live that i should get a larger tank i have been confronted with an argument. The floor will not support a tank that is any bigger than what i have. This is based on no data, just a reason to quell my ambitions. The house is very standard, built in the 50's. the tank would be on the second floor. Have you had to have structural assessments made before you put in a tank?

I responded it would be good if there was a fire:D
hartman
03/22/2002, 02:28 PM
innomen/dennis,

If the tank is along a wall make sure the joists are perpendicular to the tank. If possible place it a load-bearing wall. You could also place a 1" piece of plywood on the floor that is bigger than the footprint of the tank to help spread the load.

Hartman
yaktop
03/22/2002, 03:01 PM
hartman is dead on. you didnt mention the size of the existing tank or the new proposed one. most houses in the 50's would also support a water bed. unless its huge, up against a load bearing wall with the joist 'into' it, wouldnt forsee a problem.
innomen/dennis`
03/22/2002, 04:13 PM
The current tank is 29g the proposed is from 50-75g. I do not think there is support directly beneath the tank area. It is along an internal wall.
hartman
03/22/2002, 04:43 PM
Dennis,

Are you saying that the wall on the second floor does not have a corresponding wall on the first floor? If not don't place it there, use and outside wall then.

Qiuck calc on your tank
75G saltwater 9lbx75G = 675lb
150lb of Live Rock
300lb of sand
Total= 1,125lb


Hartman
Vilas
03/22/2002, 06:34 PM
Well, I'm on the fourth floor of a 20's building, and it's been handling the 55 quite nicely. I asked my super if a 92 would be out of bounds, and he told me it'd be fine.
If you want to lay all doubts to rest, consult a structural engineer.
tstone
03/23/2002, 02:30 PM
Dennis~I am a builder here in MA. The floor will hold your tank. It is probably built with 2x8 joist with 3/4 plywood and then finish floor maybe hardwood which would be another 3/4 inch of wood. You will not have a problem until you get to 200 gal or so then you would want to stay on an outside wall or next to a bearing wall.
Good luck!
innomen/dennis`
03/23/2002, 05:14 PM
That helps tremendously. I doubt i would go beyond 60-75g.

Although some day.....