Another tank weight on floor question

[genpetahhhh]

I had some big tanks back in college and my wife recently gave me approval to get back into the hobby, so of course I have to go big I know the location where the tank is going to go, but I'm debating between a few sizes. The location is on our first floor above the basement, so weight is my big concern. I've been leaning towards a 75g or 90g, but a 120g is VERY tempting since that is what I had in college. I would then have a 20L as the sump (or maybe a 40B if I had the 120g) in the stand.

First, the house is about 67 years old. So, some quick info on the location. It is 1st floor (over basement) directly against an exterior wall. The floor joists run parallel to the tank which is not ideal, but I think the thing that should help a ton is that there is a steel I-beam that is perpendicular directly under the middle of this spot. So I would assume that beam would be able to handle most anything, especially since it is connected to the wall right there. Since that beam divides the basement between the finished and unfinished halves, only one side would be possible to reinforce any, but I would prefer not doing that if at all possible.

I know this is a ton of weight so may be better off just sticking with the 75g or 90g, but if it really isn't a concern then I would like to consider the 120g. Certainly nothing bigger.

I do have a little while to decide since I still have to have the room repainted and I have lots of equipment research to finish, but any advice someone with knowledge can give will be great. Thank you!

 

[mcgyvr]

Not an issue at all from the description given to stick a 120G there...

 

[davocean]

120g is one of my favorite footprints, great for scaping, that is what I have now and would be my choice there.

 

[billdogg]

Not an issue at all from the description given to stick a 120G there...

120g is one of my favorite footprints, great for scaping, that is what I have now and would be my choice there.

What both of them said.

67 years old so probably 2x10's or even 12's. If it's not a finished basement, use a floor jack on either side just because, and go even bigger!:thumbsup:

As is, I wouldn't hesitate to put a 120 there. If I had a little more wall, I'd have gone for something in the 6' range, but I do love my 120g

 

[genpetahhhh]

Haha I wish I could go bigger! Sadly on one side is the dinning room table and there is a slight bulge in the wall (starts to come out for a fireplace) a couple of feet the other way. I would ideally want to keep it perfectly centered on that I-beam too.

Amusingly when this spot was first picked it was us considering a 180 FOWLR I just barely missed out on an amazing deal for a used one ($400 for reef ready tank and stand in great condition). I was planning to put that in the basement, but my wife wanted it in the living/dining room area so I wasn't going to argue with that. That certainly would have required reinforcing, which could only be done under one half sadly (the side near the table). So when that deal fell through I decided on much smaller with a 4ft limit, but also going with a reef tank this time. I still need to cut out some cardboard to these dimensions to put in the spot.

I'm excited to hear a 120g should be just fine. Yay! My wife is already starting to realize she didn't know exactly what she agreed to and has created a monster haha.