So I need to brace my floor

[dputt88]

I'm helping my dad redo his tank. At first we were just going to tear down and reset up his 90 gal but now that I've redone the subfloor, tile, and dry wall he wants something bigger. He's thinking a 240 gal that is 72 x 30 x 25, and im thinking do i need to double up the joices, i just put down new subfloor and tile 2 weeks ago?!?!

So here's what we have, joices are 2x8 running perpendicular to the tank there is a beam that runs along the back side of the tank (parallel). It's on the first level of the house, no basement, crawl space, a "stantion" also under the beam under the tank.

I'm hoping the beam saves me, I really don't want to work from the crawlspace, and will not tear up the new tile and subfloor.

Thanks all

 

[ca1ore]

I'm paranoid about floor deflection, so always go the overengineered route. How many of the 2x8 joists will be supporting the tank? If it were me, I'd put a couple of jack posts into the crawlspace, one under each front corner of the tank.

 

[mcgyvr]

picture/drawing?

In general sqft of room x 40 = total weight floor can support without modifications..

 

[dputt88]

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[JTL]

It should support it without issues but I am not an engineer. It you want to be over safe I would do what Simon suggested only run a 4x4 under the joists the length of the tank and put jacks under the 4x4 a little ways in from each end to carry the weight.

 

[dputt88]

That sounds simple enough.

 

[mcgyvr]

Additional support not needed IMO..

 

[ca1ore]

I will add that I have two teenagers that seem not to ever remember that they aren't supposed to play football in the family room. Throwing themselves around and the floor moves not a mm. Glorious peace of mind.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

How wide is the room? What species are the 2x8? What subfloor did you use and how is it connected to the framing?

It's really hard to give advice about these sort of questions. There are a LOT of variables. Some are easy to overlook.

That said, in this case, with the beam and stanchion right under the tank like that, you are probably much better off than most people.

 

[oreo57]

How wide is the room? What species are the 2x8? What subfloor did you use and how is it connected to the framing?

It's really hard to give advice about these sort of questions. There are a LOT of variables. Some are easy to overlook.

That said, in this case, with the beam and stanchion right under the tank like that, you are probably much better off than most people.

hear, hear..


anyways talking about adding 1 ton to that floor footprint.
The center beam is main structural support holding up the house..

Can't see it falling through but how much floor deflection is another story.

Personally, and I've done it.. I'd get in the crawl space.. dug a 4' hole (or close. Put some good dense solid rock and add a steel column.
Add a 6x6 (more for stability. a 2x6 is fine but tippy w/ out proper bracing.. )
but that's me...

 

[ReefMaster48]

Additional support not needed IMO..

+1


But adding some simple bracing like others have said would be very easy and give him some extra peace of mind.

 

[oreo57]

+1


But adding some simple bracing like others have said would be very easy and give him some extra peace of mind.

Yea, I'm just a natural paranoiac..

redone the subfloor, tile,

To o/p

since all pieces are really needed.. What exactly is the sub-floor made and/or layers with?

3/4 plywood distributes a lot of weight..

 

[clevername]

Additional support not needed IMO..

+1 After seeing that steel beam, your all good!

 

[oreo57]

http://www.african-cichlid.com/Structure.htm

good place for this...

 

[Lsufan]

It would have been simple to do when u replaced the subfloor. It’s going to make it harder now depending how much room u have under the house. I think u are probably ok if u don’t have the room in the crawl space to do anything, but not knowing all the details no one can really say for sure. Personally, if I could I would take a 6 by 6 & run under the joists at the front of the tank. Then eighther use jackpots or something else to support both ends of the 6 by 6. It really only needed to be as long as the tank. If the tank falls between a joist then run it to the next joist

 

[davocean]

I would not even be concerned w/ what you have there.

 

[dputt88]

The beam under the house is not steel it's wood.
Subfloor is 3/4" (plus hardy backer and large tile has to help a little). Joices are 16" on center. Only about 24 inches in height in the crawl space.

 

[dputt88]

I think I'm going to block all of the joices and add a 4x4 Wil some temp stations from home depot.

 

[davocean]

Any beam is good to go, and that much over it and extending that little bit leaves very little chance of deflection, but hey, do what makes you feel right, I'm pretty much known for overbuilding(contractor/carpenter of 30+ years)

It's never a bad idea to give additional support, and understandable as you just laid tile, though I'm sure it's not needed(of course easy to say when it's not my house/tank/tile)

If I were to do anything, I'd just throw a couple cement piers w/ 4x vert posts under a 4x header across the bottom of all joists it sits on.

 

[Windy2]

I have been building and remodeling homes for 50 years....I have a mechanical engineering degree as well. Based on your drawing, you have no problems. IF you are still unsure, have an engineer look at it.