i want to own a fish store and like to plan ahead of time. I want to live on the top floor and have the bottom floor (and possibly basement), but how would I reinforce the floor because it will be thousands and thousands of gallons of water
How to reinforce floor?
- Thread starter white specter crayfish
- Start date
Good answer. For something like this, not only would the floor need reinforcement but the foundation/ footings weren't designed to hold that kind of load. Even the walls would an upgrade. Might be better off building this one from the ground up.
To start with, you could just make the basement your primary stock area, assuming that youre built on a cement slab or otherwise solid foundation. I dont know how much room youre working with but you should be able to get quite a bit of stock tanks and the equipment to run them into that area. The ground floor could be for your supplies, checkout, tanks for sale, equipment, and maybe a few display tanks.
I knew of a lfs in lynchburg va that was set up like this. Heavy stuff in basement light stuff on top floor.
I knew of a lfs in lynchburg va that was set up like this. Heavy stuff in basement light stuff on top floor.
hello; here is a link that may give some insight. For a display tank I use a rough estimate of 10 to 12 pounds per gallon of tank capacity which can be a bit more depending on the stand, equipment and type of substrate used. Might be different, perhaps less, with bare bottom display tanks display tanks, but still heavy with thousands of gallons.
I am sure the floors can be strengthened but not sure of the cost. If you cannot do the work yourself then it will be both expensive and take time. Things like sistering in new joists or boxing the joists become much harder to do in an already existing structure. You might have to place a number of lolly posts in the basement which could take away useful space.
Were it me and I just had to use the one building I likely would see if it can be worked out so that the bigger tanks or most of the tank were in the basement and some reasonable minimum of tanks on the floor above.
Even the basement if a slab is in question depending on how thick the actual slab may be and if the ground under was prepared well. I have seen poorly made slabs that have settled and /or cracked due to poor construction.
Good luck
Here is the link.
http://www.african-cichlid.com/Structure.htm
I am sure the floors can be strengthened but not sure of the cost. If you cannot do the work yourself then it will be both expensive and take time. Things like sistering in new joists or boxing the joists become much harder to do in an already existing structure. You might have to place a number of lolly posts in the basement which could take away useful space.
Were it me and I just had to use the one building I likely would see if it can be worked out so that the bigger tanks or most of the tank were in the basement and some reasonable minimum of tanks on the floor above.
Even the basement if a slab is in question depending on how thick the actual slab may be and if the ground under was prepared well. I have seen poorly made slabs that have settled and /or cracked due to poor construction.
Good luck
Here is the link.
http://www.african-cichlid.com/Structure.htm
Ok thanks guys, I just thought it might be a bit weird doing everything in the basement but I guess it’s worth it, I hear it’s very hard to get a privately owned fish store so I planned on being the only employee and I don’t wanna watch down there to make sure nothing bad happens (kids banging on glass, people reaching into the tank, etc.)
hello; back in the late 1950's and very early 1960's a fellow had a small fish shop on north Broadway Ave. Knoxville TN. The showroom was not very big and had a number of small tanks on racks with fish for sale.
After stopping there any time I could get someone to drive me he did let me into the back. He had bigger tanks and what I now think were QT and such. Perhaps you can keep the basement for behind the scene tanks, stock and equipment. Keep only one or two examples of pumps, heaters, stands and such upstairs and the bulk of such supplies down stairs. Just a thought.