possible aquarium location

[krinehart]

I'm looking to put in a 225 (72x24x30) saltwater tank between the 2 rooms seen in the pic. I'm wondering if anyone knows (from the picture) if the framing could hold something that weighs 2500+ lbs. If you can't quite make out the pic, the opening is 80"L x 24"W x 48" and is currently supported by 6 2x4's on both sides with a 2x4 running along the top. I'm hoping that I can just add some additional supports and be good to go??? Anyone have any thoughts? Any advice is appreciated.

[dzeadow]

Have you ever thought about how much weight your bearing walls hold w/ the same kind of faming? Looks fine to me, the only thing may be to do some mini-walls between the two where your tank will cross. Also, do you have any idea how thick the slab is there? I'm sure it's probably 4" which should be plenty, but you may want to check. Is this in a basement or just a slab foundation? most slabs are thickened where there are bearing walls to support the extra weight,. I'm just not sure if it's needed in this case, might want some more insight than just me though.

[krinehart]

The slab is a post-tension foundation slab, and it's not a basement. I'm not sure of the thickness, but I could find out. I have thought about how much weight load-bearing walls hold, but I just wish the 2x4 laying flat was a 2x6 on its side acting as a header. The house is completed now, so not nearly so easy to change any of this stuff, but I really want to put my new tank here. Anyone else have some insight?

[johno4]

Thats much stronger than any factory stand you could buy!

[wakeskate80]

First of all...cheers to a great idea! Aquarium wall dividers look really sharp! Secondly, I'm optimistic that your plans should work.
Water weighs 8lbs/gal = 1800lbs, since the tank is viewed at both sides you probably wont have a tall shelf of rock, so lets just say 200lbs of LR and 250 lbs of LS, which mean less water weight due density and volume. I'm assuming dual overflows on either end with internal returns, which will displace even more water and lighten the load. Overall the tank should be under 2000lbs
If you still don't have that warm and fuzzy feeling you can replace the end and middle posts with 4x4's and brackets.
My only concern for you is the ability to fit your equipment in what looks to be a narrow space under the tank.
Hope that helps.

[mightyreefer]

That foundation will be strong enough. My only reccomendation would be to put a layer of 1 1/8" ply over the top of it to make sure it distributes the weight as evenly as possible.

You might want to at least consult with an engineer about it. A post tension slab is the worst kind to crack.

where are you going to put the Sump and all the equipment?

[krinehart]

Thanks guys for all the input. I think I'll contact the builder and find out about the slab. As for my equipment, I was planning to build a bench with a leather (or something) top so it looks nice and then put a sump/fuge with my equipment underneath. That's the plan anyway...

[thor32766]

yeah looks good just double up some of the 2x4's in the middle support.

[mokeyz]

Water weighs 8.34 lbs per gallon so it's 1876.5 lbs.

[speartheman]

When I built a stand I asked an old carpenter would that work and he told me it was an over kill then he went on to tell me about how a 2x4 can hold a ton and once you put the skin on it would be over the top so I think your good to go.

[krinehart]

Thanks again guys for all the suggestions.

[wakeskate80]

Originally posted by mokeyz
Water weighs 8.34 lbs per gallon so it's 1876.5 lbs.

Looks like somebody want to get technical. 8.34lbs/gal is actually the measurement for freshwater. Saltwater is 8.556 lbs/gal due to the dissolved salts. To get the "exact" amount you'd need to know your dissolved salts ratio. If you're getting your NSW from the Dead Sea it will be even heavier than that per gal Either way, keep us posted on the tank build and good luck!