Tank upstairs

[Dummyforclownfi]

So a post in a different thread made me think of this question. What's the max size of tank we should have on the second floor of your home? Let's not get technical about my flooring because I don't have a clue but let's try to define a general guideline for the max size of tank we should have on the second floor. I have a 210 gallon tank.


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[Wes8888]

I really do not know, but I have a 125g tank upstairs living room sitting by the outer wall and on a supporting beam. Yet, whenever someone walk through the living room, I can see ripple on the tank. I really do not feel safe putting anything bigger up there.

 

[Dummyforclownfi]

I really do not know, but I have a 125g tank upstairs living room sitting by the outer wall and on a supporting beam. Yet, whenever someone walk through the living room, I can see ripple on the tank. I really do not feel safe putting anything bigger up there.

Thanks for the reply. I personally don't feel safe with more than 75 gallons upstairs.


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[Ryan Darilek]

Depends on the construction of your home of course. What year was your home built? That will tell me which type of construction methods were used (which types of joists and distance between) and I can then let you know the max load bearing.

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[Dummyforclownfi]

Depends on the construction of your home of course. What year was your home built? That will tell me which type of construction methods were used (which types of joists and distance between) and I can then let you know the max load bearing.

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Exactly why I stated don't ask for specifics. Looking more for a general rule of thumb or a estimate for "most".


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[Ryan Darilek]

Exactly why I stated don't ask for specifics. Looking more for a general rule of thumb or a estimate for "most".


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Not asking you for specifics... Just the year the home was built and then I would know the specifics because I'm a General Contractor and am well versed in National Building Code, so I would know. Lol.
Okay... If your home is newer than 2004, putting a 2500 lbs. tank upstairs won't be an issue. 82-2004 it could be and would have to be carefully placed to work (by a load bearing wall and placed perpendicular to the floor joists so the weight isn't distributed on only one or two of them, but multiple). Constructed before 1982? Wouldn't put any more than 1500 lbs.


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[Dummyforclownfi]

Not asking you for specifics... Just the year the home was built and then I would know the specifics because I'm a General Contractor and am well versed in National Building Code, so I would know. Lol.
Okay... If your home is newer than 2004, putting a 2500 lbs. tank upstairs won't be an issue. 82-2004 it could be and would have to be carefully placed to work (by a load bearing wall and placed perpendicular to the floor joists so the weight isn't distributed on only one or two of them, but multiple). Constructed before 1982? Wouldn't put any more than 1500 lbs.


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Ah I see. I live in a town home which was built in 2005.


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[Dummyforclownfi]

Ah I see. I live in a town home which was built in 2005.


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Also it is in Springfield Oregon.


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[Ryan Darilek]

Also it is in Springfield Oregon.


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Boom. Perfect. Yes sir, a 210 would be fine up there. You have I-joists in the floor that are 12" on center and therefore the structural load will support 3000 lbs. per square foot. So you figure a 210g would weigh about 2100 lbs but will cover 6-10 sqft which is well under weight capacity

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[Dummyforclownfi]

Tank upstairs

Boom. Perfect. Yes sir, a 210 would be fine up there. You have I-joists in the floor that are 12" on center and therefore the structural load will support 3000 lbs. per square foot. So you figure a 210g would weigh about 2100 lbs but will cover 6-10 sqft which is well under weight capacity

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You sound like you know what your talking about lol. It's a 6 foot platform with a 40 gallon sump. You sure I can do this? Any particular way it should sit on the floor?


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[Ryan Darilek]

You would like you know what your talking about lol. It's a 6 foot platform with a 40 gallon sump. You sure I can do this? Any particular way it should sit on the floor?


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Yes, I'm positive. I would set the tank so that it is perpendicular on the joists and not horizontal. It's a little difficult to explain which direction your joists are running... But this will probably work: if you use your gutter on the roof as a starting point and then point in the direction the roof goes up to the peak (ridge), that is the direction your joists go... You will want your tank to be perpendicular to that direction. I hope this makes sense, but if it doesn't, let me know and I will draw up a quick sketch for you.

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[Dummyforclownfi]

Yes, I'm positive. I would set the tank so that it is perpendicular on the joists and not horizontal. It's a little difficult to explain which direction your joists are running... But this will probably work: if you use your gutter on the roof as a starting point and then point in the direction the roof goes up to the peak (ridge), that is the direction your joists go... You will want your tank to be perpendicular to that direction. I hope this makes sense, but if it doesn't, let me know and I will draw up a quick sketch for you.

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You sir are amazing!


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[Ryan Darilek]

You sir are amazing!


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I wouldn't go that far... But happy I could help man! Let's see pics of this bad boy when you get it up and running!

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[Dummyforclownfi]

I wouldn't go that far... But happy I could help man! Let's see pics of this bad boy when you get it up and running!

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Can I PM you pics of my place? Maybe figure this out a little better? It would be tomorrow.


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[Ryan Darilek]

Can I PM you pics of my place? Maybe figure this out a little better? It would be tomorrow.


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Yeah of course man. I'll PM you my number and you can just text me

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[norfolkgarden]

Yes, I'm positive. I would set the tank so that it is perpendicular on the joists and not horizontal. It's a little difficult to explain which direction your joists are running... But this will probably work: if you use your gutter on the roof as a starting point and then point in the direction the roof goes up to the peak (ridge), that is the direction your joists go... You will want your tank to be perpendicular to that direction. I hope this makes sense, but if it doesn't, let me know and I will draw up a quick sketch for you.

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Thank you

I have never thought about it before but it makes perfect sense.

Neat hack.

Will that be true 98% of the time?



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[Ryan Darilek]

Thank you

I have never thought about it before but it makes perfect sense.

Neat hack.

Will that be true 98% of the time?



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Yeah most of the time that will always be the case, unless it's a hip roof... Which those aren't too common on homes

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[norfolkgarden]

Yeah most of the time that will always be the case, unless it's a hip roof... Which those aren't too common on homes

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Lol, our last house had a hip roof. Attic like a middle school gymnasium.

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[ericarenee]

i must live in a very uncommon area and work in many uncommon homes.. Hip roofs are everywhere..


What's the max size of tank we should have on the second floor of your home
Looking more for a general rule of thumb

No such thing .

This can not be answered without Knowledge of the home. There is no Blanket this size i OK No matter what..

Professional ADVICE.

 

[Ryan Darilek]

i must live in a very uncommon area and work in many uncommon homes.. Hip roofs are everywhere..


What's the max size of tank we should have on the second floor of your home
Looking more for a general rule of thumb

No such thing .

This can not be answered without Knowledge of the home. There is no Blanket this size i OK No matter what..

Professional ADVICE.

Where do you live? I guess I should have clarified "in the states I've lived in and built in".
I agree with your statement, which is why I was trying to determine which IRC/IBC his home would probably fall under. As a fellow professional, do you agree with the advice I gave him above?

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