reinforcing a floor

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Jack Dempsey
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Feb 5, 2007
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Im just wondering for future reference what are the best ways to reinforce a floor? I have my 310 gallon which will be put in my dorm room which is on the ground floor with no basement on a concrete floor, so I dont think reinforcing wud be necesary there. what kinda of a load can a concrete floor usually handle?

anyway way though, in the future the tank may have to be moved to my parents house where it will need reinforcing. SO i was wonderin what the best way to go about this was.
 
You 310 will be perfectly fine on a concrete floor. I all really depends on your joist size, spacing, will the tank run with the joists, perpendicular to the joists, next to an exterior wall. Lots of variables to consider when beefing up a floor.

Here is what I did for my 300. I probably over did it but what the heck. Better safe than sorry.

Farthest from the wall is 2 each 2x8's sandwiching 3/4" osb. Closest the wall is 2 each 2x6' sandwiching 3/4" osb. Both beams are supported by 15,000 lb floor supports. I also sistered the floor joists for added protection.

This reinforcing not only provides support for the weight of the tank it also insures there will be no "bounce", especially when the kids are playing in the living room or fat Aunt Ethel comes over.

mkh987.jpg
 
Bud8Fan;854822; said:
You 310 will be perfectly fine on a concrete floor. I all really depends on your joist size, spacing, will the tank run with the joists, perpendicular to the joists, next to an exterior wall. Lots of variables to consider when beefing up a floor.

Here is what I did for my 300. I probably over did it but what the heck. Better safe than sorry.

Farthest from the wall is 2 each 2x8's sandwiching 3/4" osb. Closest the wall is 2 each 2x6' sandwiching 3/4" osb. Both beams are supported by 15,000 lb floor supports. I also sistered the floor joists for added protection.

This reinforcing not only provides support for the weight of the tank it also insures there will be no "bounce", especially when the kids are playing in the living room or fat Aunt Ethel comes over.

mkh987.jpg
Click to expand...


I like your style and thinking! How much did it cost? And is this in your basement or foundation?
 
It's in the basement of a late 1800's house.

The floor jacks were the most expensive part at abut $25 each and I really don't remember how much the wood was as it was left overs from building my garage.

Here is the tank upstairs in place.
P3310010.jpg
 
Floor Jacks and a sturdy beam is the easiest and cheapest way for sure.
 
Alot depends on placement and age of the house.

Will you be placing the tank so it runs parrallel or perpedicular to the floor joists?

What year was the house built? Are the floor joists made of wood and what size are they, or are the constructed like the one in the pic below?

P1050315.JPG
 
Bderick67;855383; said:
Alot depends on placement and age of the house.

Will you be placing the tank so it runs parrallel or perpedicular to the floor joists?

What year was the house built? Are the floor joists made of wood and what size are they, or are the constructed like the one in the pic below?
Click to expand...

I havent actually gone into the crawling space to check out the joints but i know it is an old house... floor is pretty creeky... so it wud definitly need extra support...
 
Bderick67;855383; said:
Alot depends on placement and age of the house.

Will you be placing the tank so it runs parrallel or perpedicular to the floor joists?

What year was the house built? Are the floor joists made of wood and what size are they, or are the constructed like the one in the pic below?
Click to expand...

Bderick, at least whoever built your house didn't take the cheapest route. LVL is much more sturdier than your usual 2x10.
 
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