Large tank on wood floor - weight concerns

[Chalu]

Finally got the all clear from the wife for a large tank:bounce2: We also got a good deal on a 180G AGA with their mission series stand. We initially planned to set this up in the basement but agreed that we dont go to the basement much. So the plan is to set this up in our living room where we spend most of the time. However we have concerns about the load, Do I need to add a jack to transfer the weight to the concrete floor 9 feet below?

Our home is fairly new..built about a year ago. Part of me tells me we will be ok without reinforcing...but we dont intend on a lookdown tank sitting in the basement viewed from our living room :fun2:

 

[swenholz]

Here's a great link answering exactly what you are asking. In the "for what it's worth department" I recently reinforced the floor under the area where my 150 gallon tank will be for peice of mind. It would most likely have been fine, but like you, I don't really want a "lookdown tank".

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/aquarium_weight.php

Scott

 

[Chalu]

No link :hammer:

 

[arredondojason]

dont know if this helps or not but i live in a old 1900's house with wood floors and i just setup a 240 gallon tank and i have had no problems and there is a full basement underneth.
good luck to you.

 

[swenholz]

Sorry, Chalu...here's the link I forgot.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/aquarium_weight.php

 

[KJAhp098]

I have my 300 in my living room with a jack under the one side and the other side is close enough to a load bearing wall. Also, my tank is parallel to the floor joists, but it's 3 feet wide.

 

[Chalu]

Thanks guys. I have kept a 90 gallon in a 20 year old apt building with no issues on the 3rd floor ... but now this is my (ok my wifes) house LOL

 

[Chalu]

I have my 300 in my living room with a jack under the one side and the other side is close enough to a load bearing wall. Also, my tank is parallel to the floor joists, but it's 3 feet wide.

Got a Pic?

After speaking to the neighbourhood Menards guy....he suggested to reinforce the joists using 6x2's right under where the from two legs of the tank sit, mainly to prevent the sub floor from sinking in. So I reinforced it by creating an 'I' support using 6x2's...

my tank is sitting across 4 joists... the weight is spread acorss 6 joists. the back runs parallel & close to the wall....one of the front leg is verrrry close to the joist & the other is right between....so just like I'm thinking if I need to reinforce the front.

 

[albano]

i live in a old 1900's house... and i just setup a 240 gallon tank and i have had no problems

so far

Do I need to add a jack to transfer the weight

to be sure, hire an engineer to check it out, to be safe, reinforce the floor...a 240g glass reef tank, with 3 adults in front viewing it will be over 3000 lbs in 12+ sq.ft.

 

[arredondojason]

i am currently deployed to afganistan and i have my old 150 gallon tank in the same room and me and my wife have been in there at the same time so i think i am going to be ok. when i get home next month i am going to be breaking down the 150 so i am good it has all been up for 8 months so i am not to worried about it.

 

[KJAhp098]

I don't have a pic, but I can take one.

 

[Montdj]

Here's a great link answering exactly what you are asking. In the "for what it's worth department" I recently reinforced the floor under the area where my 150 gallon tank will be for peice of mind. It would most likely have been fine, but like you, I don't really want a "lookdown tank".

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/aquarium_weight.php

Scott

Thanks thats alot of good info! :thumbsup:

 

[Chalu]

Here's a great link answering exactly what you are asking. In the "for what it's worth department" I recently reinforced the floor under the area where my 150 gallon tank will be for peice of mind. It would most likely have been fine, but like you, I don't really want a "lookdown tank".

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/aquarium_weight.php

Scott

Very informative & well documented. Thanks for sharing :beer: Wow I didnt know the newer homes are not as strong or stronger than the older ones. I guess it gies well with the skinnier look trend we see on fashion mags, but reef tanks is a different story :fun2: I've decided to reinforce the joists with those jacks.

 

[Chalu]

I don't have a pic, but I can take one.

If you could that'd be awesome. :thumbsup:

 

[Jens Kallmeyer]

HI

I just had the same problem, but with a 400 gal tank that is 37" high. If I were you I would invest the money and hire a specialist who provides me with a full static calculation. If anything goes wrong and you don't have such a calculation, your insurance will be rather reluctant to pay anything. Compared to the costs of the total setup such a calculation is peanuts.

Jens