I recently acquired a 150 gallon tank off of craig's list, and it was originally going to be put in my room. But now I'm not sure that the floors will be able to support the weight (going to be SW, with a large amount of LR in there). I think the NC state law is 150 lbs/sq foot(which wouldn't be enough). How would I go about checking to make sure that the beams can't support the tank, and what would I do to support them?
How do I tell if my floors can support this tank?
- Thread starter Niisan9178
- Start date
that would 150 lbs per square foot of the entire surface of the floor. if your room is, say 10 square feet (which is a very small figure, my closet is 32 square feet for isnstance), the floor would be able to support 1,500 lbs.
the floor you're putting it on is made from 2x10s supported by 2x4s. the stand you're gonna put it on is likely made from 1x1s. the stand will likely fail before the floor does.
the main thing is to make sure to put the tank against a structural supporting wall.
second story floors support waterbeds, bathtubs, refrigerators, washing machines... it can also likely support a 150 gallon tank.
the floor you're putting it on is made from 2x10s supported by 2x4s. the stand you're gonna put it on is likely made from 1x1s. the stand will likely fail before the floor does.
the main thing is to make sure to put the tank against a structural supporting wall.
second story floors support waterbeds, bathtubs, refrigerators, washing machines... it can also likely support a 150 gallon tank.
You should be fine but the only way to really be sure is to get a builder or structural engineer (preferably one who had a part in the building of the house) and get their opinion.
Saying that, 150 isn't that big and I'd probably just go for it. Make sure you place it perpendicular to the floor joists so it's weight is spread across as many joists as possible.
Saying that, 150 isn't that big and I'd probably just go for it. Make sure you place it perpendicular to the floor joists so it's weight is spread across as many joists as possible.
Some good info. here: http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html
And here: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/aquarium_weight.php
One way to reinforce a floor: http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/framecarp/supplement/floor/joist1/sister.htm
Related MFK threads: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30414&highlight=floor+strength
And here: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/aquarium_weight.php
One way to reinforce a floor: http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/framecarp/supplement/floor/joist1/sister.htm
Related MFK threads: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30414&highlight=floor+strength
pcfriedrich;2300063; said:
So according to this, my 10x12 "office" would have 120 sq ft, and be able to support 18,000 lbs in the entire room? The key thing that I need to do is put the tank against a wall with the most floor support beams?
Floors are engineered for a 40 pound per square foot load with a "certain" safety margin in most states. I've talked to a retired 60 year old architect with 35 years experience and a structural engineer who both agree. Please read my above post for more information.
Do you which way the floor joists are running? Best for large tanks to run perpindicular to the floor joists.
I myself have a 180g set up which has a total weight of about 2900 lbs on a wood framed floor. Did alot of research and talk to an engineer who though it was structuraly sound. I did however add extra floor joists because it was easy and added piece of mind.
This thread here shows how to place the load on your floor joists; http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164188&highlight=floor+support
I myself have a 180g set up which has a total weight of about 2900 lbs on a wood framed floor. Did alot of research and talk to an engineer who though it was structuraly sound. I did however add extra floor joists because it was easy and added piece of mind.
This thread here shows how to place the load on your floor joists; http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164188&highlight=floor+support
careful here. water beds have the weight spead out over a huge area (eg not many 150/180 gallon tanks that are only 8-12 inches high) and bathtubs were placed in rooms where the buiilders knew there was going to be the load there, as such the weight was taken into account when designing the floor, also, the bathtub is drained and filled off and on, not a constant static weight in one spot for years and years.
not saying that the floor cant suppprt the weight of a 150, but we need to be careful with the analogies that we use.
they are not always 100% applicable.
I am setting up a 150 soon but it is going to be in my basement as I too was very concerned about 1800 pounds of static weight in a relatively small area for years and years.