210 g Reef Tank Weight

[xravenzx]

I'm setting up a 210 gallon reef tank. The tank is reef ready with the sump located within the tank stand. I'll have the tank filled with live rock and the sump/refugium with live sand. I was planning on setting the tank up in my living room rather than the basement, but some are concerned that the floor wouldn't be able to support the tank weight over time.

Have any of you set-up your tanks on your main floor? If so, did you do anything to check that it would be able to support the weight?

Just want to make sure I don't start something and end up with a bigger problem down the line.

 

[spin117]

Subscribing, I have the same concern (New 215 Oceanic)

 

[xenon]

It's not as bad as you think.

Sure its heavy but the weight is distributed over a large surface. Calculate how many pounds per square inch and you will be surprised how low it is.

 

[JustinReef]

Is it a standard 210? Or what are the dimensions?

What is the floor made of and more importantly have you looked into how it was constructed?

 

[xravenzx]

It's a 7' by 24" tank.

The floor framing is of conventional lumber. Would I need to have a look at joist size and spacing?

There's nothing to lead me to believe that the floor is unstable, but a few articles I read made a big deal about tank weight so I just wanted to double-check here to be sure.

 

[2004jetta]

Best bet is to get a structural engineer out there. Don't trust your $10k tank to be safe because some people on some website said it was ok. No offense to anyone

 

[EBOLII]

A good rule of thumb for determining the total weight of a full aquarium is 10-11 pounds per gallon of water + weight of live rock + weight of stand + equipment...are you able to install vertical strut or horizontal header supports under your floor joists? [simple or advanced] will it be close to a load bearing wall?

 

[CorkPullerPHL]

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

I do not vouch for this site. Simply some food for thought!!!

 

[EBOLII]

by CorkPullerPHL
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

good information...The only thing I will add is there are solutions IF you are seriously interested...

 

[Barky]

xravenzx
I built a 240gl display before starting I checked which way the floor joist were running. If the joist are running parallel with the tank I would add support under the joist, which I did.
If the joist are running horizontal to the tank say 4,5,or 6 joist are under the tank, I would not be concerned.
Brian

 

[xravenzx]

Thanks all for the help. I'll have a look at the floor joists and likely add some support. I'd rather be on the safe side with this one.