Think my floor will collapse?

[Rawrzer]

remember if the house is older the floors are usually stronger if they are not rotten. i talked to a builder about this for quite some time when i wanted to put something bigger than a 100g on the second floor of my old house. hope all goes well, but i wouldnt worry about it especially if its distributed over afew floor boards

 

[cichniss]

I dont have a digital camera atm so i will try to see if i can borrow one to get some pics. I plan to setup the tank right up against the load bearing wall, so i think it should be ok. If i have time ill setup the tank this week at some point and let you know how it goes.

 

[Younglin]

but we can assume it's either a 6' 100g

I think he said it was a 6' 100g.

 

[Piscine]

remember if the house is older the floors are usually stronger if they are not rotten. i talked to a builder about this for quite some time when i wanted to put something bigger than a 100g on the second floor of my old house. hope all goes well, but i wouldnt worry about it especially if its distributed over afew floor boards

In many older (pre-50s or 40s) homes, the (often 2x6) joists would have 18-24" centers and span anywhere from 10-14 ft, sometimes more. This is a very weak floor by todays standards and would not support many aquariums without bowing, and eventual failure if left unattended to. Homes were built this way in the old days because there were not many heavy appliances and electronics filling all of the rooms.

Also, build quality of older homes is far from standardized.....Such a blanket statement could prove to be misleading to someone using the search feature to research similar subjects.


The reason you do not hear of more aquariums falling through floors is because wood is a fibrous material. Hardly ever does wood fail without making some seriously loud noises and creaks from the fibers breaking one by one over a period of weeks, months, or years, and even if it doesn't make noise, it will bow seriously.. Anyone who notices a floor bowing or creaking after a large aquarium is installed will either correct the problem or relocate the aquarium.

 

[Clay]

The span of the joist doesn't negate the math that the weight is divided out among the joists based on distance on center. It is distributed the same whether the joist spans 20, 30, or even 60 feet. The facts remain that it is against a wall and perpendicular to the joist.

I think I made a few disclaimers that properly tempered the information provided. So no, I wouldn't call it useless.

 

[Clay]

I think he said it was a 6' 100g.

Must have missed that. The math then goes:
For a 100g (6')
-Estimated weight 1000lbs - approximately 111lb/sq ft
-In this case, it will cover 4 or 5 joists
-18" or 16" on center on 4 joists = 250lbs per joist
-18" or 16" on center on 5 joists = 200lbs per joist

Same disclaimers apply.

 

[cichniss]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I am just putting some finishing touches on the stand for the tank and then will be getting it setup. I think that since it will be running perpendicular to the joists and against a load bearing wall, I should be ok. And I believe the house was built in the 70's.

 

[Piscine]

The span of the joist doesn't negate the math that the weight is divided out among the joists based on distance on center. It is distributed the same whether the joist spans 20, 30, or even 60 feet. The facts remain that it is against a wall and perpendicular to the joist.

I think I made a few disclaimers that properly tempered the information provided. So no, I wouldn't call it useless.

Good luck with your calculations Clay.. I hope that you can see the flaw in your theory with some time and thought. My PM box is open if the OP would like to discuss this subject further.

 

[RTC GAR TSN]

If anything you can cut pieces of wood that go between the braces and take railroad nails (4inches) and put them right through both boards all the way along.

 

[Clay]

Good luck with your calculations Clay.. I hope that you can see the flaw in your theory with some time and thought. My PM box is open if the OP would like to discuss this subject further.

PMs don't really help everyone. That's what the board is supposed to do, but ok.

Why don't you explain why that isn't correct?