Floor Strength

[nzafi]

I am going to be installing a ~535g tank in the next month in my family room. The family room sits on a slab, so I think I am fine for the tank. My house is a split level, and my basement area lets me see the foundation underneath my family room. I can see the thickness of the cement, and then I can see that they used cinder blocks. I am guessing the cinder blocks were used to create a wall for where the basement was going to be ~4ft deeper than the rest of the area.

I was thinking of building my stand in a way that allows me to sit a full 180g underneath the 535g. I am guessing the combined weight of these two tanks is going to be ~6,500-7,000lbs. Do I need to worry about this? Should I just skip the 180g which ends up reducing 1,800lbs?

 

[tlindsey]

I am going to be installing a ~535g tank in the next month in my family room. The family room sits on a slab, so I think I am fine for the tank. My house is a split level, and my basement area lets me see the foundation underneath my family room. I can see the thickness of the cement, and then I can see that they used cinder blocks. I am guessing the cinder blocks were used to create a wall for where the basement was going to be ~4ft deeper than the rest of the area.

I was thinking of building my stand in a way that allows me to sit a full 180g underneath the 535g. I am guessing the combined weight of these two tanks is going to be ~6,500-7,000lbs. Do I need to worry about this? Should I just skip the 180g which ends up reducing 1,800lbs?

Personally I would pay a home building contractor just for assurance to see if it will be ok even though the family room sits on a slab. That is too much weight to take a risk with even without the 180 gallon sump.

 

[nzafi]

tlindsey reached out to my uncle as he is an engineer in this field. I did some googling, and it looks like it would be fine, as concrete and compact earth can support quite a significant amount of weight. I am thinking I might not chance it. Many people have 8x4 ~550g tanks on regular slabs with out a problem. The 180g adds another 1,800lbs that I probably should avoid.