I'm planning to build an inwall aquarium (ca. 200gal epoxy plywood [72*24*28 ]{L,W,D}]). The stand for the tank will span over two flooring surfaces. The majority (ca. 5/6 of length) will stand over a built up concrete floor (see below). The remaining 1/6 will extend onto floor joists (1st floor above a basement).
A few points of fact, I live in eastern Montana, so it is cold in the winter and relatively dry throughout the year. Having most of the tank over concrete instead of floor joists is desireable. My primary concern is creating a level surface across the two floors that will not change over time.
We're in the process of enclosing a portion of the porch. A local remodeler/builder suggested building the floor up (4-5") on 1/2" blue board, frame with 2*4s (with additional boards below the tank), and insulate between all the 2*4s with foam board. The frame will be covered with a surface similar to the rest of the house (don't know what that is yet [probably plywood]). We'll have a floor air duct vent "T"ed to get some warm air into the remodeled porch area.
I'm thinking of putting the 2*4s directly on the floor instead and insulating around them. I would worry less if the wood was directly on the concrete and not on foam board. Since the tank extends across two surfaces, I'm worried the blueboard may compress over time under the weight of the tank and create structural problems for the tank since it will span across two surfaces. Also, the concrete isn't perfectly level. So if the wood is placed directly on the floor it will probably be easier to trim the 2*4s (or 6s) to reflect the floor contours.
Any suggestions for building up the floor would be greatly appreciated.
Also, if the tank isn't inwall then it would have to be in a cabinent and have the joists reinforced since it would most likely run parallel to the joists.
A few points of fact, I live in eastern Montana, so it is cold in the winter and relatively dry throughout the year. Having most of the tank over concrete instead of floor joists is desireable. My primary concern is creating a level surface across the two floors that will not change over time.
We're in the process of enclosing a portion of the porch. A local remodeler/builder suggested building the floor up (4-5") on 1/2" blue board, frame with 2*4s (with additional boards below the tank), and insulate between all the 2*4s with foam board. The frame will be covered with a surface similar to the rest of the house (don't know what that is yet [probably plywood]). We'll have a floor air duct vent "T"ed to get some warm air into the remodeled porch area.
I'm thinking of putting the 2*4s directly on the floor instead and insulating around them. I would worry less if the wood was directly on the concrete and not on foam board. Since the tank extends across two surfaces, I'm worried the blueboard may compress over time under the weight of the tank and create structural problems for the tank since it will span across two surfaces. Also, the concrete isn't perfectly level. So if the wood is placed directly on the floor it will probably be easier to trim the 2*4s (or 6s) to reflect the floor contours.
Any suggestions for building up the floor would be greatly appreciated.
Also, if the tank isn't inwall then it would have to be in a cabinent and have the joists reinforced since it would most likely run parallel to the joists.
