Help stop an argument.

[rulesmith]

I am expanding my family room and installing a 360gal tank. 77''x36''x30''. We have a foundation under most of the house, so to be safe on the new section I had layed down a concrete slap 18'' deep and plenty big enoug. Now it is time to lay down the tile in the expansion. I want to leave the spot under the tank plain concrete, my significant other wants to tile everywhere including under the stand. The stand is going to be steel. I plan on having a base on the bottom that will distripute the weight.

So here is the proplem, will the tile cause any proplems?

Thank you.

[RGrogan]

How is this.... you are both right, either will be fine.

Structurally, it is very unlikely that the compression on the tile and substrate will be an issue. You might have to shim in a few locations under the stand if the tiles are uneven.

[waynesworld]

But it your slab is not level and you are doing tiles you could correct the uneven parts. The one thing I will say though haveing done the DIY tilleing if you are not a pro leave it under the stand untiled but if you have a good pro do it let him know where the tank is and he may level it for you. Of course then you may not get a level stand as Murfeys law goes though. Good luck though/.

[Freed]

I would think the weight of the tank and stand would crush any tile you put under the stand.

[waynesworld]

only if it was not installe right that is why I said if you have a pro do it what i will do is crack it if there is some unevenness on it.

[RGrogan]

The compressive strength of thinset mortar is between 8,000 and 10,000 psi, and ceramic tile is greater than that.

[Freed]

Alllllrrrrighty then.

[waynesworld]

[waynesworld]

Freed you are right it will break easy if not laid right as I learned the hard way.

[rulesmith]

It is porcelain tile. Semi-pro doing it. slap is petty darn level.
I think she will win, she always does, and we will have tile underneath. Hope it works out.

[Kent E]

Shes letting you have the tank- you both win!!!!

[NexDog]

Tile around the stand legs - easy.

[Johnsteph10]

The compression strength of thinset mortar (I looked at the bag to make sure) is 270psi for a permanent load.

The 8,000-10,000psi is for short term duration.

Thinset also does not reach maximum strength til around 28 days and will be fairly brittle until fully cured.

Most ceramic tile cannot support that much weight even if put down perfectly level and flat. RGrogan, I'm not sure where you got your numbers - I researched this a while back and even spoke with one of the large tile producers in detail about tile compression, etc.

I, too, just put down a ceramic tile floor but left under the tank unfinished because of this.

[pelicansreef]

Tile, If layed properly, will do just fine under these loads. That said, it is important that the tile, the thinset and the tank base are in good contact with no gaps or unevenness betwen the floor, the tile and the tank base. A good tile man should be able to do that. the other method is to buy enough tile to do the area unde the tank and set it aside for future use if the tank is moved or taken down. (thats what the wife is likely thinking) Then if ya do move it you can set the tile where the tank was. (win-win)

[aurorafish]

Divorce will solve it.

[skippyreef]

If she aint complaining about the tank then just do the tile!!

[Psyire]

This one is on tile:

(not sure if it's the same type of tile though)

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=513472

[got2lb]

I accidently dropped a 15lb sledge hammer about 4' off the ground onto my tile and it never cracked a tile. Not exactly sure what the load was on impact, too much physics for a Saturday but I'm sure it was a lot. As far as I can tell it's pretty strong if installed correctly.

[woodwrangler]

Why are you asking a bunch of reefers about the compressive strength of thinset and tile?

Go to this forum; http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/index.php and ask the tile professionals

[karimwassef]

Put the tile!
If it cracks, you have an "I told you so" that would last for at least
5 or 6 more decisions.
and if it doesn't.. you're the good husband who listens to his wife
and takes her advise to heart.
It's a WIN-WIN

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I'm looking at doing the same thing. I was in HD and asked the guy there who is their tile expert. He said it will hold it. I asked, even something like 3 tons and he said yes. The key here is to make sure there are no air pockets under the tile, that it is well covered with the thinset.

[gallivanmk]

Porcelain is stronger than ceramic. I have my 110 Tall on the tile with sump and stand all distributed over just 4 feet and the stand has legs, not flat on the bottom. No problems to date and it has been there since January. The tank was placed on the tile and filled with water about 48 hours after the tile was laid.

[Wryknow]

There's no way you're going to smash the tile if it is properly laid. It is exteremly difficult to crush (but very easy to crack.) Make sure that you use a good quality mortar and use a thick coating under the tile - smoosh it down good to make sure that there are NO air gaps under the tile. Your biggest challenge will be making sure that the tile is level and that the base is fluch with the surface.

[rulesmith]

some of you are very funny

I am trying to hold out for the set the tile aside idea myself, but I do think it will work.

I am still in the just starting to order the parts phase of the build so the tile will have at least 30 days to set.

the guy that is doing the job is pretty good at this stuff, although not a professional.

I will report back if it works or if I have a mess on my hands

I figure if it breaks it will be long before my cycle is done on the tank and I can always rescue a few damsals

[paulpp187]

i used to lay tile and block and all that other fun stuff.you will be fine with either porc. or ceramic you gotta be sure that the base is completely level and no air pockets