How Big Of A Tank Do You Think This Floor Will Support?

[smmetz]

I have a house that was only built 2 years ago. Luckily, I saw it go up and know exactly how the floor is supported. The center beam goes the length of the house down the middle, and is about 4x12 inches, supported by a pillar every 6 feet that goes into the concrete floor, which has footings underneath the concrete under each pillar.

The floor joist rest on top of this center beam. (his is better than just being nailed into the side of the beam) They are pre-engineered beams that span about 15 feet.

The wall the tank will go against is about 10 feet long. It is not a load bearing wall. However, this wall is less than 3 feet from the center beam under the floor. The tank would therefore be very very close to that center beam. The tank will also then be perpendicular to the floor joists.

Anyway, I currently have a 55 gallon tank there. I will be putting a larger tank there eventualy, since my pleco is sitll growing and is at 8 inches. I have been watching Ebay, and thinking about tank sizes.

The minimum I will get is a 125. I would prefer a 180 gallon tank, which is 6x2x2 feet. I have seen 240 gallon tanks on ebay, which are 8x2x2.

A 240 gallon tank has got to weigh well over a ton though. At least the added 2 feet of lenght will spread the load over another joist or two.

Even a 180 gallon tank is no lightweight.

So, opinions? Do you think any of these tank sizes can safely go in this spot?

 

[Tolak]

If this is over a crawlspace, you could reinforce the floor under the tank with a 4x6, & a couple more pillars & footings. With the weight spread between the the center beam & the reinforcing beam you could go with the 180, probably the 240. If it's a basement you could do the same, provided the reinforcing beam & pillars don't have anything in the way.

Sounds similar to my house, except mine is 50+ years old with solid joists. Steel I beam down the center, double brick exterior. If I were to put anything bigger than a 125 upstairs (my wife would kill me) I would reinforce the joists with a second beam & pillars.

 

[Chrispixx]

So, opinions? Do you think any of these tank sizes can safely go in this spot?

i have a basement so if i were going with that big of a tank i would support the joists with 4x4 supports under where the tank would go. essentily what tolak said.

 

[Will91]

http/badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

 

[Teelie]

If I had a basement, it would become the fishroom. Solves so many problems at once.

 

[smmetz]

Thanks for that great link. I think I read that article about a year ago and forgot about it.

The article confirmed that I should almost certainly be safe with a 125 gallon, so that is good. I would prefer a tank that is 2 feet wide instead of 18 inches though.

Underneath where the tank is going is my garage. If I put additional support beams in, I would never be able to get a car in the garage There is already sheetrock on the ceiling in the garage, so adding more joists is not an option.

I'll have to think about things, but if I do find a great deal on a 180 gallon tank, I think that the floor will hold it OK. Heck, in my situation the wider the tank(front to back), the closer it will be to the load bearing beam underneath!

 

[vic]

Well, you could talk to the builder. At 2 years old I would think that the builder would be quite happy to provide the appropriate advice.
Vic

 

[Warriorz]

I would not put a tank larger then 150 gallons against an inside wall. I would also add reinforcements to the floor underneath if it's again an outside wall.

I just built a new home and my 150 was going to go in the family room upstairs, outside wall and reinforce the floor. BUt I ran out of room, it's like putting another couch in there.

Now it's down in the basement, but I'm in the process of making it a nice rec room.

Good luck