I am back to house shopping and was looking at a house today that I might be making an offer on. Now, I know this is generalization and i will need it to be checked out by a pro before actually putting a tank on it (standard inspector be able to do that, or do I need an actual contractor or engineer?), but what am I REALLY looking at? the basement is rough so I'd be looking at putting the tank on the main floor (sides, I like to watch my fish).
call the tank range 220+ gal, MAYBE as high as a 350, but at this point that's more wishing then probable. probably acrylic since I have to move the damn thing and man power will be an issue. either ways, I know we are talking a ton plus. foot print will be L x W rather then H.
I had a tape measure and still didn't think to measure the joists, but they are at least 2x10's and more likely 2x12's. this is a 100 year old building (actually was an old bank, and No, the vault room is not a very good option)) and is in excellent structural shape. the joists are rough sawn oak, NOT pine (this is the stuff you pull out of 200 yr old barns and still be good). the room I would want to put it in is 14x18 and there are structural supports (actually, the center of the house is insanely reinforced, but no place to put it there) at the both ends with the joists spanning the 18 feet.
Now, one of the places to position it is running parrall with the joists with one end at the outside wall, so would definatly need supports added. how many are we talking? one per foot? one per 2 ft of tank length? one at querter or third marks?
the other postion is the outiside wall perpendicular to the joists so is more favoriable. on a 2 ft wide tank, would I need extra support? on a 3 ft wide tank, would a beam and a jack at each end be enough?
support jacks are pretty cheap, but i'd like a real idea on what i'd actually need gooing in.
other question is the floor is hard wood, with rubber padding down is it going to destroy the flooring just from the weight?
call the tank range 220+ gal, MAYBE as high as a 350, but at this point that's more wishing then probable. probably acrylic since I have to move the damn thing and man power will be an issue. either ways, I know we are talking a ton plus. foot print will be L x W rather then H.
I had a tape measure and still didn't think to measure the joists, but they are at least 2x10's and more likely 2x12's. this is a 100 year old building (actually was an old bank, and No, the vault room is not a very good option)) and is in excellent structural shape. the joists are rough sawn oak, NOT pine (this is the stuff you pull out of 200 yr old barns and still be good). the room I would want to put it in is 14x18 and there are structural supports (actually, the center of the house is insanely reinforced, but no place to put it there) at the both ends with the joists spanning the 18 feet.
Now, one of the places to position it is running parrall with the joists with one end at the outside wall, so would definatly need supports added. how many are we talking? one per foot? one per 2 ft of tank length? one at querter or third marks?
the other postion is the outiside wall perpendicular to the joists so is more favoriable. on a 2 ft wide tank, would I need extra support? on a 3 ft wide tank, would a beam and a jack at each end be enough?
support jacks are pretty cheap, but i'd like a real idea on what i'd actually need gooing in.
other question is the floor is hard wood, with rubber padding down is it going to destroy the flooring just from the weight?
