75 on second story?

[A.T.DAWG]

hi i am going to be setting up my first saltwater tank, but if i set it up now i will have to put it on the second story, if i wait till i move it will probably be a year till i can set it up. does anyone know if a 75g will ok on the second floor? should i wait? anything i can do to strengthen floor? any help will be much appreciated.

 

[mflamb]

I had two 125 gallon tanks in the same room on the second floor.
Check where the walls are on the floors below and position the tank so there is a wall below near the tank.
Welcome to Tampa Bay Reef Club Forum.
We were warned about you......

 

[raycityboy1]

depends on beams. 75 gallons of water X 5lbs. per gallon =375lbs +rock+sand+actual tank, stand, canopy,+the weight of two people standing in front of it. I know that can be done in a mobile home and you know how cheap they are made. I would find out which direction the beams run and run my tank perpendicular to them spread over 2 or 3 beams to try to distribute w8 evenly. I wouldn't do it if the beams are less than 2x6, But I would feel safer with 2x8 beams which is becoming standard in most newer homes. Also its rare but make sure the floor isn't made of partical board. If so you might find your tank back on the first floor one day. Also if you put it on the second floor over a substantial wall on the first floor, that would be more added support.

 

[A.T.DAWG]

thx, this is an old town house in the ghetto so im not to trusting of the floor, also i know when i moved in they said that there was no water beds allowed, do u know how i would go about finding out wich way the beams run.thx again

 

[bkwudzjeep]

[welcome]

 

[raycityboy1]

Thats funny b/c I was just about to say people put waterbeds on 2nd story all the time. what is the floor carpet? Sometimes in older houses in the afternoon light you can see the high spots in the floor from the beams. Sometimes you can pull the carpet back in a corner and see what direction the screws are running. They have to be drilled into something, so whichever way the screws run should be your beams.

 

[A.T.DAWG]

im not sure what kind of carpet it is but it looks CHEAP, i cant see any high spots at the moment, if after tonight if i don't see any high spots i will pull back the carpet and look for screws, o ya its going in a closet, if that makes it better or worse lol.

 

[raycityboy1]

even if you pull back the carpet in the closet, it should still tell you which way they run. Sometimes you can even hear them or feel them when you walk on it barefoot. if there is a high traffic area like a hallway or the entrance to a bed or bath, the carpet will be worn down a little and you might be able to see a high spot.

 

[A.T.DAWG]

cool thx alot for all your help, playa was right you guys are nice and very helpful

 

[flfirefighter13]

Going in a closet may make it better, if its surronded by walss they MAY be lad bearing. Older houses often have some serious flooring built. Lumber used to be solid 2x6 and larger, newer stuff is much smaller, or engineered products. If you have a ceiling fan or light on the first floor you may be able to pull it and see what way the beams run. I wouldnt be to worried though. Most rentals wont allow water beds due to water damage when they pop.... In which case your landlord may not be to happy about a tank, but tis easier to get forgivness than permission

 

[raycityboy1]

Oh I forgot, sometimes if you are on the first floor and look up at the ceiling with bright lights, you can see the same high spots.

 

[raycityboy1]

I agree flfirefighter13.

 

[A.T.DAWG]

cool thx, ya i wasn't planning on asking the landlord for that same reason flfirefighter13, i dont have a ceiling fan but will check to see if i can see the high spots from underneath.

 

[bkwudzjeep]

If you have a stud finder....that should show you which way they run.

 

[raycityboy1]

yep on clearrance at walmart for 8 bucks

 

[A.T.DAWG]

lol...stud finder...so simple, i would have never thought of that though..thx bkwudzjeep. o ya walmart the only place where you can buy a chainsaw and a video game...lol

 

[playa0069u]

ray i thought water was 8.3 punds per gallon?

 

[playa0069u]

ya lol andy then you can bring them both back after your bored with the game and done with the saw lol.

 

[A.T.DAWG]

i used a stud finder, it looks like the beams are 2x6 and run perpendicular to the tank. thx for everyones help

 

[flfirefighter13]

glad to help. playa fresh is about 8.3lbs a gallon, I'm pretty sure salt is a little more.