Wooden Suspended Floor

[tomsteer]

Hello, I’ve been thinking for a while about getting a larger tank, my main concern is would the floor collapse. I’ve read various articles on the internet about putting tanks on suspended floors but I wanted to ask other peoples experiences.

I’m looking at a 48x18x18 which is roughly 56 UK gallons (67 ish us gallons), I live in a student house at the moment and live on the first floor, the tank would be situated in an alcove between an outside wall and a chimney breast with a supporting wall behind, I cant really go pulling the carpet out to inspect the floor (beam spacing etc)

I realise when full the tank would weight a lot, about 280kgs (617 lbs), just really looking for some advise, would it be ok or is it too risky? I understand that no one can be 100% sure but just wanting your thoughts,

Thanks in advance, Tom

 

[andyj]

Can't see it being a problem mate.

As the tank will be next to a wall, the beams will not have much leverage placed on them by the tank etc.

If you think about it, 280kgs is just like 3 x 15stone blokes stood in your bedroom !

Andy

 

[tomsteer]

cheers for the speedy reply, i thought it would be ok,

might have to go spendin some money then,

cheers again, Tom

 

[AMS]

You'd be surprised how much weight a floor can hold. The way I look at it, 617 pounds is just like 3-4 people sitting on a large sofa.

 

[1800higgins]

First of all, after water, rocks, decor, stands and all... It'll be a bit more then 617lbs. Probably closer to 800.

Secondly, you can't compare to people because the weight is displaced differently. If 4 guys are sitting on a large couch, then the couch is spread out over a wider area, and is displacing the weight over that entire area.

If you're on the first floor, I would think that you are pretty safe for anything under 75g.... But it definitely varies with how each building is built. Just make sure you are near a supporting wall, and you have the tank up against that wall.

Someone posted a great article on her from an engineer, going in full depth about the "will my floor collapse?" issue.

 

[BigIan]

if its betrween the chimney breast and the exterior wall it should be ok...

As the joists will run from the chimney breast to the wall and so will be supported at both ends...

I have a 48X24x15 in my bedroom and it hasnt fallen any where yet

 

[pieman]

As someone said early, it's just like 3 x 15stone men, so go find 3 men this weight or above get them to stand in the desired spot, then get them to jump at the same time

Instantly you will know whether or not you can keep a tank there

 

[BigIan]

As someone said early, it's just like 3 x 15stone men, so go find 3 men this weight or above get them to stand in the desired spot, then get them to jump at the same time

Instantly you will know whether or not you can keep a tank there

if it fails however. Run. cos you don`t want 3 angry 15 stone blokes after you

 

[sub.42]

As someone said early, it's just like 3 x 15stone men, so go find 3 men this weight or above get them to stand in the desired spot, then get them to jump at the same time

Instantly you will know whether or not you can keep a tank there

if it fails however. Run. cos you don`t want 3 angry 15 stone blokes after you

sub.

 

[1800higgins]

As someone said early, it's just like 3 x 15stone men, so go find 3 men this weight or above get them to stand in the desired spot, then get them to jump at the same time

Instantly you will know whether or not you can keep a tank there

That is DEFINITELY not true.

Maybe if those 3 men stayed in that spot jumping for month after month. Floor don't give away instantly... It takes a lot of pressure over a long period of time.