Do I need to support my floor?

[rgentry123]

I am thinking about buying a 240 acrylic tank, it will go on the main floor of my home but I have a full basement so it won't be sitting on concrete foundation directly. Just the water weight alone would be about 2000 lbs, so I'm wondering if I would need to support the floor or if it would be fine. Where it would be sitting it's running parallel with the floor joists so it would only be over 2, maybe 3 joists. Thanks!

 

[jfuka78]

How long are the span of the joist and what size?

 

[jfuka78]

Worst case maybe just double up the joist.

 

[GLane]

Your floor will need to be reinforced, especially since your tank will run parallel to the floor joists. Most older homes (built in the 60's and 70's) have 2x8 or 2x10 floor joists. Newer homes may have 2x12 or I-joists. None of which will be sufficient to support the weight of the tank and equipment without distortion in either direction (side to side/front to back).
If your floor moves, your stand will distort over time. That distortion will cause your tank to flex. Doubling of your floor joists will not be enough to carry the weight. I spent 20 years in the construction industry, my advice is to consult a structural engineer. Your local lumber yard (NOT Home Depot/Lowes, etc) usually have one on staff or access to one from their lumber supplier. They should be able to give you solid information based on your homes structure for a lot less than it will cost to remodel the new sky light in your basement ceiling.

 

[daplatapus]

Have a read of this article:
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

Gives you some considerations to ponder...

 

[GLane]

daplatapus,
Excellent article
Like he states at the beginning, very long. But very complete on all areas that need to be considered when thinking of a large tank.

 

[rgentry123]

Yeah, that's extremely helpful. Thank you!

 

[fishguy597]

I wish he would've talked about the adjustable floor jacks and 4x4's. My tank sits parallel to the floor joists. But it straddles a metal I beam perpendicular to the joists. Then I used 4 floor jacks & 4x4's to shore it up.

 

[dave.m]

For the few dollars it would cost to hire a structural engineer I don't understand why people go cheap and risk the investment they put into their homes.

Dave.M

 

[fishguy597]

What's wrong with what I did? Each one of those fully extended supports 9100 lbs. I know it doesn't make it right but you see a lot of people doing it that way if you look at fish room pics. Just wondering for my own info.

 

[ca1ore]

What's wrong with what I did? Each one of those fully extended supports 9100 lbs.

Nothing, I did something similar (265 straddles a foundation wall, and has a pair of jack posts under each end). I think the point is to consult with a structural engineer before trusting that a typical floor is good enough. If you decide to significantly overdo it, as you and I have done, then no real worries.