Another "will my floor support" question, 265 Gallon
- Thread starter mgrady21
- Start date
technically it is their house yes but I rent the in laws quartets out... They really haven't said much since its on me but they know I'm doing my research... Sorry works been so busy I haven't been able to get pictures yet but I will soon! I'm going to get the tank this weekend even if it won't work out upstairs its tool good of a deal to pass up. I'll sit on the tank til I move lol
I have wasted money getting a structural engineer to give me an expert opinion on whether a 300g with stand and water (approx 2800lbs) would fit on a second floor. After an hour or two of looking and inspecting the framing members, construction etc, the response that I got was "it should" be OK.
Reputable engineers will not put there neck on the line and tell you "yes" because if something happens, then it's there tail on the line since they provided you the expert opinion to move forward.
The engineer I hired could not give a definitive response due to the many variables in home construction. Have you looked at lumber at Home Depot? Not all 2x4's are manufactured the same. Some are from different wood, some have defects etc. Same then with nails.
Also, the engineer would need to determine the approximate weight that is already bearing on the area that you intend to put the tank. Take into account the wall structure, roof structure etc. that is bearing down on that area.
These are just some variables and I get the idea that no one will ever tell you for sure whether it's OK to or not.
So to be on the safe side, brace the supports, which generally means tearing out walls etc if you are on a second floor, or if your lucky and on the 1st floor, you can go into the basement and put up more bracing.
Eitherway, the whole journey has taught me a lesson. It's not worth the money and work involved to to determne for sure whether the tank will be OK.
The best solution the engineer provided me was to put it in the basement or on a slab.
Thanks for wasting my time and money Mr. Engineer.
Reputable engineers will not put there neck on the line and tell you "yes" because if something happens, then it's there tail on the line since they provided you the expert opinion to move forward.
The engineer I hired could not give a definitive response due to the many variables in home construction. Have you looked at lumber at Home Depot? Not all 2x4's are manufactured the same. Some are from different wood, some have defects etc. Same then with nails.
Also, the engineer would need to determine the approximate weight that is already bearing on the area that you intend to put the tank. Take into account the wall structure, roof structure etc. that is bearing down on that area.
These are just some variables and I get the idea that no one will ever tell you for sure whether it's OK to or not.
So to be on the safe side, brace the supports, which generally means tearing out walls etc if you are on a second floor, or if your lucky and on the 1st floor, you can go into the basement and put up more bracing.
Eitherway, the whole journey has taught me a lesson. It's not worth the money and work involved to to determne for sure whether the tank will be OK.
The best solution the engineer provided me was to put it in the basement or on a slab.
Thanks for wasting my time and money Mr. Engineer.
that wall won't save you I had a issue with a 110 where the floor started slooping away from the wall at about 5 degrees. You need to spend 10-20 at HD and buy a metal post to support that, maybe 2, and run some beems perpendicular to the pre existing floor joists for further security.
s2convt;4496287; said:
what did you end up doing? going with it on the second floor or putting the tank on ground level?
well, technically this is right. its just too bad he/she charged you an arm and a leg (no doubt) to tell you what you already knew.
if you have a location that has water and power on ground level it is always the best place for 150g and up tanks provided they will fit.
they are just so damn heavy when full. and they don't move around..
