400 litre fish tank in bedroom

[njr_]

I have a 400 litre fish tank with a custom built timber stand that is going to replace the 180 litre tank in my bedroom.

It will be right up against the wall which is also the outer wall of my house (brick wall) but will be running the same way as my joists.

I feel as long as it’s up against the strongest wall and closest to where the joists start it should be ok right?
I’ve had the 180l in the same spot for nearly 5 years with no issues

Please give advice on whether you think it will be ok

 

[Naughts]

If it’s an upstairs room you’re braver than me!

 

[Willow 123]

And which way the joists run will be a big factor, are your joists running parallel with the wall or at 90 degs to it? Remember your more than doubling the loading, 180l tank maybe ok 400 could well be too much. You are getting close to half a tonne on a comparatively small area.
You could well be looking at doubling up the joists in the ceiling at the very least. ( for reference I am a retired builder).

 

[njr_]

And which way the joists run will be a big factor, are your joists running parallel with the wall or at 90 degs to it? Remember your more than doubling the loading, 180l tank maybe ok 400 could well be too much. You are getting close to half a tonne on a comparatively small area.
You could well be looking at doubling up the joists in the ceiling at the very least. ( for reference I am a retired builder).

The joists will actually be running parallel to the tank, but the tank will be up against the exterior wall of my house, and will also be directly above my garage which is concrete blocks all around.

 

[Willow 123]

Whats the measurement of your tank ,front to back? The odds are the tank will be resting on just 2 joists. As you are above a garage personally I would be looking to reinforce those joists either by doubling them up or putting in a bearer wall. But there are too many variables ( size, age and the span of the joists to name but three) to give a definitive answer. The fact that you're asking, to me, seems, that you have real concerns.

 

[njr_]

Whats the measurement of your tank ,front to back? The odds are the tank will be resting on just 2 joists. As you are above a garage personally I would be looking to reinforce those joists either by doubling them up or putting in a bearer wall. But there are too many variables ( size, age and the span of the joists to name but three) to give a definitive answer. The fact that you're asking, to me, seems, that you have real concerns.

The tank is 60 inch in length and 24 inch back to front.
Only reason I am asking is due to I’ve had my current 180 there for 6 years and have never had any change. So just trying to get as much info before the upgrade to a 400l.
The tank will be rested against the outer wall of my house, and would acc sit on top of a concrete middle wall in my garage, if that offers anymore support I’m unsure.

I have once had a 180l and a 150l in my room at same time both running parallel to the joists for 3/4 years

 

[Willow 123]

If there is a supporting wall underneath the tank then that improves things a lot. Where is the wall in relation to the site of the tank? ( is it in the middle of the tank?) Does it run at 90 degrees to the joists? were the two previous tanks a) close together and b) in the same spot?

 

[njr_]

If there is a supporting wall underneath the tank then that improves things a lot. Where is the wall in relation to the site of the tank? ( is it in the middle of the tank?) Does it run at 90 degrees to the joists? were the two previous tanks a) close together and b) in the same spot?

The support wall under my room is 2 blocks either side of a garage door and a row on blocks in top.
In relation to where abouts it will sit under my tank I know for definite that it sits under the tank, but unsure until I measure exactly where it sits.

The 2 tanks were on opposite ends of my bedroom but bedroom is quite small so only 3-4 ft apart from eachother

 

[Willow 123]

so If I understand you correctly, in effect the stub walls are directly under the tank supporting the joists that the tank will sit on, yes?
And these are made of solid concrete blocks 4 inches wide? If so you should be okay, but what I would do is half fill the tank in position then over a week or so gradually fill up. Then leave it a week and monitor it.
Legal disclaimer, all the above advice is based on your descriptions and I accept no responsibility whatsoever for my advice which is given in good faith,
A good builder would be able to confirm or otherwise my assumptions in about 5 mins flat, do you know of a friendly builder who could have a look for you?

 

[njr_]

so If I understand you correctly, in effect the stub walls are directly under the tank supporting the joists that the tank will sit on, yes?
And these are made of solid concrete blocks 4 inches wide? If so you should be okay, but what I would do is half fill the tank in position then over a week or so gradually fill up. Then leave it a week and monitor it.
Legal disclaimer, all the above advice is based on your descriptions and I accept no responsibility whatsoever for my advice which is given in good faith,
A good builder would be able to confirm or otherwise my assumptions in about 5 mins flat, do you know of a friendly builder who could have a look for you?

Thankfully mate yes my dad is a bricklayer and builder and his opinion is it should be fine.
And with it being his house I’m sure he’d be extra cautious is giving me advice aha

The concrete wall beneath does run 90 degrees to the joists and are 100% under the tank, jus unsure as to whether they are directly in the middle or not yet.

 

[Willow 123]

Sorry, but if your dads a brickie and he says its fine ( and its his house) why are you asking the question on here?

 

[njr_]

Sorry, but if your dads a brickie and he says its fine ( and its his house) why are you asking the question on here?

Just wanted a second opinion I guess.
Dad didn’t build the house we are in so can’t be 100% in it’s capabilities so just wanted a second opinion

 

[MaloK]

Consult a structural engineer.

With a couple of easy measures, he is going to be able to tell with certitude if you are dangerous.

They might even give you an answer on the phone no charges.

If you have the height and type of joist, spacing and length between supports, Also the type of wood if they are full studs is good to know.

Or if you know more than me on that stuff, you can use:

Span Options Calculator for Wood Joists and Rafters

awc.org