Upgrading Tank- Reinforce floor?

[jlnielsen13]

Hello,

I am upgrading from a 90 gallon to a 140. I am concerned about the extra weight and wonder if I need to reinforce the floor. The 90 has been in place for 6 years with no issues. Here are the specs:

Tank: 60X20X27

House built in 2007 with engineered floor joists.
The tank will be going on the first floor with a finished basement underneath.
The right side of the tank, last foot, will be over a metal I beam and Metal pole.
The problem is the rest of the tank runs parallel to only one floor joist as they are 19" on center apart.

I would hate to tear the basement up and it is directly over a pool table so is there any other way I can add support?

Thanks for your help- I drew a skematic but can't attach it for some reason??

Thanks,
JIM

 

[Spar]

I ended up having a structural engineer (think it was structural anyway...) come out and give their advice when I did my tank. Albeit mine was a bit more simple just having tile laid over a thick layer of cement with nothing but earth below it. Just FYI, but if you are even slightly nervous, get an expert out to check it!

 

[gone fishin]

Certainly for peace of mind I would get it checked out by a professional. I am sure the cost of a failure would certainly be more than getting it checked out.

 

[FDshoes]

You could sister up the I-beam to add some strength. I personally do not like going with the joists i have always set up tanks perpendicular to the joists. That being said the engineered I beams are very strong. The gallon increase is abt 400 added pounds but it is spread out over a bigger footprint.

 

[crazylawyer]

I agree- hire the structural engineer before you tear into the ceiling. Two important variables you have not discussed are 1) the depth of the engineered joists- they vary from 9.5 to 16" deep with a corresponding increase in strength and 2) the span of the joist from the I beam to the other supporting member. A SE may be able to put you at ease just by looking at the plans and specs for the house. I hired one for a 10 minute walk through on my tank upgrade for $250. The new tank weight was within limits- barely. I knew I would be "hearing" creaking and cracking every night as I tried to sleep, so I tore out the ceiling, sistered and blocked all the joists. Not fun; I am still coughing up sheet rock, but I sleep well.

 

[eyesinthedrk]

Has anyone ever heard a story of a tank falling through the floor? I see the "fear of" stories about 3 times a month but never once an actual fall through.