Can my floor support a 375 Gallon tank?

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brendon7358

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 30, 2014
34
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Goldsboro, NC
The dimensions are 96"x30"x30" it's made of glass and weighs 500lbs empty. It will be on the first floor in the corner. Do you think my floor will be able to take the weight? I currently have a 112g tank with a 60"x18" footprint. So about 140lb per sq ft. And the 375g will probably be close to 4000lbs on a 96" x 30" footprint so 178lb per sq ft. I can get under it to reinforce the floor. But what should I use? Pictures of the floor structure attached. I haven't gotten the tank yet, but they want $800 for it which I think isn't a bad price. I'm going to have a stand built for $500. Thanks!

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Do the floor joists run parallel or perpendicular to the direction your tank will sit? What's the spacing of the joists and what's the span? As Eddie suggested putting a post and beam underneath is a good idea. If that isn't feasible, anything else you can do would help. Even screwing a sheet of 3/4" plywood on the bottom of the area the tank will sit will help, that way in order for one joist to sag it has to pull on all the others as well. Also make sure your stand has a flat bottom so the weight is distributed evenly, not placed on 4,6 or 8 feet. Hopefully the joists run perpendicular to the tank so the weight will catch more than the one or two if they run the other way
 
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See if you can get the mfg. name and any numbers stamped on your I-joists as well as the dimensions if you can. Knowing the span or distance may also be helpful unless you are putting the tank against an outside wall.

Usually supports under the existing floor should not be placed directly on a dirt floor due to moisture, insects or stability of the ground.
 
deeda said:
See if you can get the mfg. name and any numbers stamped on your I-joists as well as the dimensions if you can. Knowing the span or distance may also be helpful unless you are putting the tank against an outside wall.

Usually supports under the existing floor should not be placed directly on a dirt floor due to moisture, insects or stability of the ground.
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One of the pictures has a beam with numbers and letters on it, is that what your talking about? It will be on the corner of 2 outside walls.
 
Yes, that's what I mean. It may be helpful to determine the load capable of being supported.
 
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