Wobbly Tank

[dubmaneh]

So. After moving half the house to make the new tank and sump room fit, we filled the new tank to do a leak test and found that doesn't leak.:thumbsup:

We also found out there is bounce in the floor and when you walk by the tank just right, it wobble's and twists from corner to corner which can't be good. Especially when Im going to be drilling two holes in the back for the overflow.

It is a 65 gallon tank 36"x18"x24" on a wooden stand built off of Rockengineers design. Stand is square and tank is level.

It is placed up against an exterior wall perpendicular to the joists but the two ends of the stand are not on the joists due to obstacles (fireplace mantle on one side and wall on the other). So it is effectively resting on 2 2x8 joists spaced at 16"O.C.

Aside from doing the 4x4 spot beam with a post underneath (it would mean ripping into a cold air return and a finished basement), are there any other suggestions out there?

Thanks

 

[fishgate]

I think you are fine. Once it is filled, it isn't likely you will get any movement out of it.

 

[dubmaneh]

Its moving when it is full of water.

Could it be because the tank and stand is top heavy without a sump underneath?

Perhaps if I put it on some concrete patio squares that might reduce the flex in the floor. Thoughts?

 

[fishgate]

Is it an old house? Perhaps put a flat bottom on the stand like mount the legs to a 3/4 sheet of plywood. I don't think it is top heavy unless you built it very tall. Can you post a picture of the stand? Did you use lateral supports? I mean, the stand isn't racking is it? My stand initially wobbled a bit but I screwed 3/4 plywood to the top and both sides (left and right, front and back are open) and the stand was then solid as a rock.

 

[Silent Mike]

We also found out there is bounce in the floor and when you walk by the tank just right, it wobble's and twists from corner to corner which can't be good. Especially when Im going to be drilling two holes in the back for the overflow.

It is a 65 gallon tank 36"x18"x24" on a wooden stand built off of Rockengineers design. Stand is square and tank is level.

It is placed up against an exterior wall perpendicular to the joists but the two ends of the stand are not on the joists due to obstacles (fireplace mantle on one side and wall on the other). So it is effectively resting on 2 2x8 joists spaced at 16"O.C.
Thanks

Is the floor level and flat? You may have to shim the bottom of the stand to compensate for an unlevel floor.

 

[Tzwizzle]

I had a 60g 2' x 2' x 2' cube that was doing the same thing. After a few months one of the seams started to split. Due to my placement , the tank was not supported well by the floor joists.

Needless to say I replaced the tank. I got a floor jack from the hardware store and added some additional support on the nearest floor joist in the crawlspace. IMO if you have movement from walking by, this is just as bad as having an unlevel tank because you are adding additional stress to the seams. Over time this may cause a leak.

 

[Silent Mike]

I had a 60g 2' x 2' x 2' cube that was doing the same thing. After a few months one of the seams started to split. Due to my placement , the tank was not supported well by the floor joists.

Needless to say I replaced the tank. I got a floor jack from the hardware store and added some additional support on the nearest floor joist in the crawlspace. IMO if you have movement from walking by, this is just as bad as having an unlevel tank because you are adding additional stress to the seams. Over time this may cause a leak.

I read through it fast and thought he said bump not bounce. If the floor has a bounce it definitely needs more support underneath it.

 

[sleepydoc]

I had a 60g 2' x 2' x 2' cube that was doing the same thing. After a few months one of the seams started to split. Due to my placement , the tank was not supported well by the floor joists.

Needless to say I replaced the tank. I got a floor jack from the hardware store and added some additional support on the nearest floor joist in the crawlspace. IMO if you have movement from walking by, this is just as bad as having an unlevel tank because you are adding additional stress to the seams. Over time this may cause a leak.

+1

Tanks need solid support from both the stand and the floor. A good stand is worthless on a bad floor for exactly the reasons you described.

 

[tkeracer619]

The floor needs extra support.