Will My Floor Hold?

[BluePhantom]

Wow I never thought about this but my buddy said to make sure it could hold the weight. So estimated 2 500 lbs just to be safe and I have been up all night researching and I feel like I don't think it would hold. Im gonna have my cousin who does construction take a look but for now does anyone know what a tank this size will actually weigh and how do I know its safe!??? I didn't think this tank would cause so much concern on diff aspects. Help!

Oh its a 180 gallon 6ft L 2ft W and 2ft high.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, good that you are doing this. Part of the planning of large tanks can be a visit from a structural engineer. Usually when the length of the tank is going across supporting joists and not -with- them you have a better chance of being ok but it is a serious thing and nothing should be assumed. Beyond a certain point big tanks are not necessarily what houses were designed for.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[brian2708]

Hmm. I have to admit, this was a concern for us as we rectly aquired a 200l tank and we live on a first floor flat!!

It's seems ok so far!

Must add, that ours is a purpose built flat! Reinforced concrete floors.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Well it will hold 681 litres rouphly if that's US gallons. Wich will just the water 681kg, in pounds that is 1,501 lbs. Plus the weight of your tank and stand.

So that's what you should tell your constuction friend.

Hope that helps.

 

[BluePhantom]

Ok so I figure best thing to do is get a pro to inspect it my cousin. Man this has been freaking me out all night its 5 21am and im about to go pick up my tank later this evening. I have not slept. Do u know how much 180 gallon tank weighs with a stand and a canopy plus gravel and all that stuff? I googled but don't really get a accurate answer I feel?

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

You will have to weight the tank. Can't say. But perspe weighs less than glass. I shouldn't think the stand would weigh that much. And you will know how much gravel you put in as you buy it bags. Don't know how much you will nee though.

 

[BluePhantom]

Yeah ill have to figure this out today! I lobe the tank im gonna get but it woulsuck to buy it then can't even set it up! Can most houses hold something like this? I think the house is around 20 to 30 yrs old. Thanks for the help I just need to get on this fast!

Yeah didn't think about the bag part thanks the tank is glass so I estimated 300 lbs. Man I really hope this works I have been so excited!

 

[brian2708]

Well, a litre of water weighs 1kg, so you can work out approximately how much the water will weigh. You just need to add the weight of the tank and decoraitions etc.

A 6 foot x 2foot base is quite a large surface area to be distributing all that weight so hopefully it should all be ok for you.

 

[BluePhantom]

I just thought what if I get a big and thick piece of plywood to spread the weight and put a big rug or carpet on it so it doesn't look at? U think that would work?

 

[brian2708]

Personally, I would have thought that was a bit excessive.

You could definately do with making sure where you're putting it, you're spreading the load over several joists. Assuming you have floorboards, you'd want to go with the line of floorboards, as these will be nailed to the joists a few feet apart. (please check on this though, as I'm not 100% sure, but it makes sense!)

 

[leecasey]

I just thought what if I get a big and thick piece of plywood to spread the weight and put a big rug or carpet on it so it doesn't look at? U think that would work?

I live in a new build and I used to have a Rio 300 upstairs. The walls are like paper which made me very concerned. I contacted the construction company who built the house and they wouldnt give a def yes or no. I would never...ever risk putting a tank of that size upstairs, not in my paper house anyway! lol, can you imagine the damage if it gave in!? OUCH! Good luck though!

 

[brian2708]

Having house insurance is definately a must have with accidental damage cover.

 

[BluePhantom]

Yeah paper house does sounds scary Haha yeah I get it would prob be excessive but better safe then sorry right? I mean instead of having to get new support under the house wouldn't a big plywood work better? Il jane to look in on the insurance good idea thanks.

 

[BluePhantom]

So I went under the house my self seems like its a lot of 2x4s with some 4x4 going perpendicular but doesn't seem like many. there are also 4x4s that go in the ground but it doesnt seem like enough. and then there is a concrete part mabe a ft wide and the tank would only have like have a foot over it but at then end of the tank. I dont thnk this would work but does anyone know better?

 

[Randi]

The 4x4's going into the ground are meant to carry the weight of the whole house. If your tank is going to partly over the concrete and have some weight on a 4x4 I think you should be fine.

BTW water weighs 8.35 pounds per gallon, so you are looking at 1503 lbs for the water.