Big Tank Question

[erk628]

If I was to put a 150 gallon tank on the first floor of a house that also has a basement would I need to put some support beems on the joists in the basement. If so how would I go about doing that?

This would be going on a inside wall.

 

[OldMan47]

I would only put a tank that big directly over a wall in the basement that could carry the weight. I have one almost that big but it sits on the concrete floor of my lower level, so there is no need for added support from a lower floor. Don't forget that water weighs over 8 pounds per US gallon and the tank and substrate probably adds a couple of hundred added pounds to the weight. At around 1500 pounds of total weight, I would be quite concerned about the structure that was being asked to provide its support.

 

[erk628]

What I'm thinking about doing is I found these things called basement jacks there a pole with a metal plate on both end then a screw were you can adjust them. I was thinking about putting some on the beams the tanks will be sitting on. So one end of the jack would be on the joist and the other would be on the concrete floor so most of the weight would be transfered to the concrete floor. There like 20 bucks a piece at a hardware store and can hold 18000 pounds. Anyone done this anyone think it will work?

 

[OldMan47]

Directly supporting the joists is certainly an option. If you have a concrete surface that they can bear on, you could even set up a heavy beam with a jack at each end. The beam would need to extend under all of the joists that you intend to support and the jacks should be in place and snugged up before you bring in the tank stand or the tank. That way the joists don't need to deflect before the jacks start to share the weight.

 

[erk628]

What Ive decided to do is use basement floor jacks to support the joists its will be setting on they look like this. http/www.ptfsupply.com/Vestil-FJB150-Basement-Floor-Jacks/M/B0027YKLFG.htm Now I'm plaining of getting a 6x2 or something and laying it on the joists them putting the jacks direclty over the joists that the tank will be setting on. Now I have two places I could set the tank. One place it would be setting parallel to the joists so it would only be setting on one or two. The other spot it would be intersecting with the joists so it would be setting over several joists over a 6 foot span. Which do you guys think would be best since I'm using jacks parallel or intersecting or does it matter. Either way I'm planning on using three jacks one on each end directly under a joist and then on towards the middle. Would this work or would I want to use more. Also do you think the 2x6 would be good to use rather then putting the jack directly on the on the joist or do you think a bigger board would be better.

 

[OldMan47]

It would take something heavier than a 2 x 6 to distribute that kind of weight. If you really want to transfer the weight through those jacks, try a 4 x 8 or larger beam on edge. You are dealing with about 3/4 ton in that tank. It will be better if you have the tank at right angles to the joists and would be much better still if the stand actually pressed down evenly across the bottom and not just on the corners.

 

[erk628]

Ok thanks! Just got a pic of the stand and it looks like the stand is flush to the floor all the way around. They have had the tank for about 10 months and they had it set up on the first floor that also has a basement. They didnt do anything to support the floor do you think that would have damaged the tank at all or would it normally take the floor longer to start to sag.

 

[OldMan47]

The floor will sag gradually over time if it is not properly supported. If it is flush to the floor all the way around, that will help distribute the weight better in your location too. As long as the tank is still intact and not warped, it should be fine after the move.

 

[erk628]

The floor will sag gradually over time if it is not properly supported. If it is flush to the floor all the way around, that will help distribute the weight better in your location too. As long as the tank is still intact and not warped, it should be fine after the move.

Ok they still have the tank full with fish so I take it the tank should be fine then right? Id hate to get it then a couple days later it busts. So I want to set the tank intersecting the joists then instead of parellel

How would I be able to tell if the tank is warped. Do you think since it hasnt been set up for even a year that it will be ok. Would you buy it knowing how they had it set up. Also when you say to lay the board on its edge do you mean like the thickest part faceing up and down and the smaller side one the joist. For example if I used a 4x8 the 8 facing down and the 4 resting on the joist

 

[OldMan47]

The beam should always be laid on edge because that is the direction that can take the most weight. If you take an extreme example, think of a very thin board like a wooden rule. It is easy to bend and break that rule with your hands if you bend it the 1/8 inch direction but you will not be able to easily break it with your hands in the other direction. You want the strength up and down to hold up the floor so set the 4 x 8 so that the 8 inches, 7.25 really, is vertical and the 4 inches, 3.5 really, is in the horizontal direction. By setting it on edge like that, you have made it like the wide direction that you were finding hard to break in our example.
A tank that has been set up for a while may or may not be warped. Have a close look where the corners come together and see if all of the glass is aligned the way you would expect. If one piece of the glass is not aligned straight with the one next to it, walk away and leave the tank where it is. (I am talking about a corner where an end and the front or the back come together. At the top, the front and the end should be the same height. If not, something has shifted and you only want the tank if you are willing to rebuild it.)