Looking for advice about tank weight on first floor

FormulatedFire · 02/18/2018, 06:00 AM

Greetings all!

I've been out of the hobby for awhile and looking to jump back in. Before when I had large tanks I kept them in the basement or ground level of my house. This time I'd like to put one on my first floor. I've done some research but I'm not a structural engineer and would like some advice. I'm looking at a 125g glass tank.

Here is what I've gathered about my house and it's structure.

- ~80 year old townhouse
- wooden joists 16" on center
- joists are 7" tall and 2 1/2" wide
- the wall I want to put it against is a load bearing brick wall which is also where the joists fit into
- joists will run perpendicular to the to the tank
- 3/4" wooden sub floor running perpendicular to joists with another set of Pergo floor on top of that. Which I believe to be 1/2"
- no X bracing between joists
- no pipes or electrical running through joists
- brick wall runs from basement up two floors
- basement floor is concrete slab

Thanks in advance for all your advice!

billdogg · 02/18/2018, 06:36 AM

I'm not an engineer either, but I can't believe that would be a problem set up the way you have described

jm.02

Uncle99 · 02/18/2018, 06:56 AM

You will have 1000 pounds in water alone + stand = 1200 pounds.
Let's add 100 pounds if equipment, 200 for you standing in front cleaning, and a flux of 100.
That's 1600 pounds, the weight of a small car on a area approximately 12 square feet.
I doubt original builder anticipated this amount of load so I go with Billdogg.
I had somewhat the same setup years ago on a 100g, and to be sure, I was able to run a 12 x 2 X 16 underneath the jousts, directly in the middle of the length of the tank.

on the spot · 02/18/2018, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FormulatedFire

I'm looking at a 125g glass tank.

- ~80 year old townhouse
- joists are 7" tall and 2 1/2" wide
- joists will run perpendicular to the to the tank

Perfect place for a tank.

How resistant is Pergo to compression? I suppose if the stand is more than ¾" on edge it'll be fine. But the house, I'd have no concerns.

davocean · 02/18/2018, 08:57 AM

Should be no issue, I'd probably make sure I have some extra of the pergo just in case there were any type of damage later down the road, they do discontinue or change colors sometimes, good to have extra of what matches exactly.

FormulatedFire · 02/18/2018, 09:53 AM

Yea, I'm not concerned about the Pergo as I hate it lol. More concerned about floor/joists holding the weight. Thanks for the advice all

davocean · 02/18/2018, 10:23 AM

Pergo is actually not bad, it's actually one of the better made products as floating floors go, and has the least amount of chems and off gassing issues compared to most, just FYI(I'm a contractor/carpenter and pay attention to this stuff) but I hear ya, there are more desirable options out there.

As for structural issues though should be good to go.

02/18/2018, 06:00 AM	#1
FormulatedFire Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 138	Looking for advice about tank weight on first floor Greetings all! I've been out of the hobby for awhile and looking to jump back in. Before when I had large tanks I kept them in the basement or ground level of my house. This time I'd like to put one on my first floor. I've done some research but I'm not a structural engineer and would like some advice. I'm looking at a 125g glass tank. Here is what I've gathered about my house and it's structure. - ~80 year old townhouse - wooden joists 16" on center - joists are 7" tall and 2 1/2" wide - the wall I want to put it against is a load bearing brick wall which is also where the joists fit into - joists will run perpendicular to the to the tank - 3/4" wooden sub floor running perpendicular to joists with another set of Pergo floor on top of that. Which I believe to be 1/2" - no X bracing between joists - no pipes or electrical running through joists - brick wall runs from basement up two floors - basement floor is concrete slab Thanks in advance for all your advice!

02/18/2018, 06:36 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I'm not an engineer either, but I can't believe that would be a problem set up the way you have described jm.02 __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

02/18/2018, 08:57 AM	#5
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Should be no issue, I'd probably make sure I have some extra of the pergo just in case there were any type of damage later down the road, they do discontinue or change colors sometimes, good to have extra of what matches exactly. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

02/18/2018, 10:23 AM	#7
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Pergo is actually not bad, it's actually one of the better made products as floating floors go, and has the least amount of chems and off gassing issues compared to most, just FYI(I'm a contractor/carpenter and pay attention to this stuff) but I hear ya, there are more desirable options out there. As for structural issues though should be good to go. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

02/18/2018, 06:56 AM	#3
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	You will have 1000 pounds in water alone + stand = 1200 pounds. Let's add 100 pounds if equipment, 200 for you standing in front cleaning, and a flux of 100. That's 1600 pounds, the weight of a small car on a area approximately 12 square feet. I doubt original builder anticipated this amount of load so I go with Billdogg. I had somewhat the same setup years ago on a 100g, and to be sure, I was able to run a 12 x 2 X 16 underneath the jousts, directly in the middle of the length of the tank.

02/18/2018, 09:53 AM	#6
FormulatedFire Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 138	Yea, I'm not concerned about the Pergo as I hate it lol. More concerned about floor/joists holding the weight. Thanks for the advice all