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Advice? Large tank and weight issue.

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by MillerTime, Jun 29, 2016.

  1. Jun 29, 2016 #1
    MillerTime Ankeny, IA

    MillerTime Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Need advice and opinions. I will be setting up a 220g tank on the main floor some time in the near future. I am concerned about the amount of weight the floor can support (basement is below). I know the floor joists run vertical to the width of the tank so there would be more joists rather than if they ran the width of the tank. Tank will be against an exterior wall. Any opinions on if I need to reinforce the floor or any contacts to an expert that would know the answer upon looking at it?

    Thanks!
    Andrew
     
  2. Jun 29, 2016 #2
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    With your description I assume you mean perpendicular to the tank length as opposed to parallel.
    What year was the house built, and what material/construction are the floor joists? 2x8s, 2x10, engineered truss, I joist?
     
  3. Jun 29, 2016 #3
    MillerTime Ankeny, IA

    MillerTime Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Oops yeah That's what I ment. House was built in 2007 and I am unsure of floor joists. Basement is finished.
     
  4. Jun 30, 2016 #4
    AdamLawrence Marion, IA

    AdamLawrence Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Most likely the floor joist are 11 7/8" it's a very common floor joist. If it was me i would put a beam where the tank sits it will keep the tank from rocking. Your talking a lot of weight. plus the peace of mind for a 45 dollar pole jack and a beam is not that much. I have 3 pole jack that i don't need anymore if your looking to go that route

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  5. Jun 30, 2016 #5
    MillerTime Ankeny, IA

    MillerTime Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Yeah the only issue with a pole jack is the basement is completely finished. Would be left with a pole in the middle of the main room of the basement. If its necessary, its necessary, but would like to avoid that if possible. Might just need to have a contractor come over and take a look at it since there are so many variables when it comes to this stuff. Been told it should be fine and also that it will definitely need support.
     
  6. Jun 30, 2016 #6
    GoodGreef Clive, IA

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    Better not risk it and let me have the 220. You can have my 75.
     
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  7. Jun 30, 2016 #7
    Dendro Saint Charles, IA

    Dendro

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    When I checked with a contractor I know about weights on different floors I was told to check with a structural engineer. If you are not going to reinforce I would check with a structural engineer to be safe. Just my two cents worth.
     
  8. Jun 30, 2016 #8
    D007 Cedar Rapids, IA

    D007 Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    +1 beam and at least one pole underneath. Knowing the size of your joists is key in determining what it can hold. Find an inconspicuous area cut dryway and check it out. better to have a pole in your basement then a possible disaster. that's a lot of weight to be worrying about, guessing 1700+lbs tank and water, plus rock etc.


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  9. Jun 30, 2016 #9
    AdamLawrence Marion, IA

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    You could get a nice stainless steal pole and put it to use to! just kidding

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  10. Jun 30, 2016 #10
    Derek Cedar Rapids

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    I have a 125 with a 30 gallon sump on my second floor. My house was built in the 60s and I have hard wood for my floor joist so im a little lucky and I have no reinforcements underneath it and I've only seen sagging when I have 10-15 people in the room with the tank and it's about a 1/4 to 1/2 sage to the center of the room. But this is an old house with hard wood so I don't know how much this helps you.


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  11. Jun 30, 2016 #11
    Buku Ankeny, IA

    Buku Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I live above my bar and I'm getting a 165. I had a guy I know look it over and he said since I have steel I beams in there, that I really don't have to worry about much.
     
  12. Jul 1, 2016 #12
    abower Ryan, Ia

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    Most likely you have the engineers I joists. You need to find out the height of these joists, the joist spacing, and the distance between support Meaning the loading wall or beams holding the joists. You should have an unfinished room in the basement you can check the joist height and spacing. Don't automatically assume 16", I have seen some interesting spacings with those engineered joists. Take that info you get and enter it into a calculator online to get your allowed deadload. Deadload is the constant weight the joists carry.
     
  13. Jul 2, 2016 #13
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

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  14. Jul 2, 2016 #14
    MillerTime Ankeny, IA

    MillerTime Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Ended up being 10" joists spaced 16" and distance between support is about 12 feet.
     
  15. Jul 2, 2016 #15
    abower Ryan, Ia

    abower Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Eh, not familiar with engineered but with dimensional lumber its close to max. I'd build a fireplace under it or similar
     

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