Large tank on the Kitchen counter

[madreef_7K]

Hi All, I am wondering how much weight kitchen counters can hold. We have an island in the room with kitchen cabinate and granite countertop. I would like to put a 250-280g tanks on this counter. Its a rather large island and seems like it may be able to support the weight. here are my questions:

1. Has anyone here put a large tank on kitchen counter?
2. Is there a place or website where I can find what is the load capacity of the counter top? I have gone to HD or other local hardware stores and after hearing the weight, ~2500 to 3000 lbs, they freakout and say nope!

If anyone has done this , please let me know how?

thanks

 

[cakemanPA]

I know in my new place they used box cabinets. I would not even considering putting a large tank on it. They are not constructed to hold that kind of weight. You would be better off building a new cabinet frame and using the shell of the cabinet to skin it so to speak

 

[EdSnyder]

No freakin way any cabinet out there will hold that. However, it would be fairly easy to add support to what you have to make it work.

 

[madreef_7K]

Thanks guys!

I guess it's time to call a structural engineer and get some reading floor joist. I'll remove the cabinet.

 

[Indymann99]

So any stock cabinet manuf is going to say no (they dont have a clue what you are talking about with a tank). For them easier to error on the side of NO.

Chances are you will be fine, however I would add some 2x4 vertical posts (also horizontal if there is little structural support in the existing framing) just for some added security. Put the 2x4 vertical posts at the corners of where the tank will sit and make sure all the edges of the tank are supported within 6in of the edge. Chances are the granite coutertop will be level enough (most granite polishing machines are level/plumb over a 6' square).

FYI if you are going to do a sump under the tank, the granite is easy enough to drill (I watched the guys drill the sink for my bar and it was easier than I expected).

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/Bar2.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/Bar4.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/Basement52009.jpg

Please post picts as this would be a awesome build :beer: