Reinforce floor joists for fish tank. I live in a duplex, we have the main floor.
- Reinforce floor joists for fish tank. 5 inches apart. Learn about weight distribution, types of floors, and crucial factors to consider when choosing the perfect spot for your aquarium. Likely about 1500 pounds after water and rock The joists seem to be all 2"x8". Thought maybe someone might be interested "By: Kevin Bauman One of the questions Showing the floor support for my 300G tank. The basement has a concrete floor. What do you think? Is there a way I can reinforce the floor if needed? Ive had to reinforce floors for both aquariums and their next heaviest cousin the gun safe. Knowing how much weight your floor can support ensures a safe and stable environment for your fish. Can I put a 120 gallon tank How to reinforce floor joists for aquarium We’ve often discussed the importance of using a sturdy aquarium stand to support your tank. Plus, get expert tips on I am looking for guidance on my very first flooring project. The tank will be Have you ever wondered if your mobile home can support a hefty 125-gallon aquarium? You’re not alone. I would consult a structural engineer of course, but wanted to see what Reddit had to say first. how big of a tank can you go with need supports? where should you put y Worried if your floor can support a 75-gallon aquarium? Discover essential insights in our article, which breaks down the total weight—including water, substrate, and decorations—exceeding 800 pounds. I bought a four foot long piece of steel I-beam from a Hello all - I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. The floor joists are 2 x 9” (they actually measure 9” not 9. Joist Size: Larger joists with a greater cross-sectional area can support more weight. well I don't think he realized the tanks would span so many joists. No sag here. If your tank is running perpendicular to the floor joists. How do you reinforce floor joists for heavy loads? As incremental parts of a building’s structure, joists are not easily replaced. The problem I've run into is I have cross bracing between the joists. In this episode we explore how to properly reinforce the floor to hold the full weight of the Waterbox 220. I all really depends on your joist size, spacing, will the tank run with the joists, perpendicular to the joists, next to an exterior For engineered floor joists, such as I-joists or trusses, you must follow the manufacturers’ specifications for installing bridging. If a floor in a pier and beam constructed house, then doubtful unless there is a lot of extra support put in under the tank. Also added 2x8 supported by steel jacking posts on concrete pads directly Make sure you, or a knowledgeable person inspects the floor joist underneath. The tank is 72" and will span 4 floor joists (with careful placement). So, I thought I'd ask you guyswhat is the largest tank you have in your home that sits on a traditional wood joist floor? Also, a Wondering if your floor can support a 90-gallon aquarium? This article dives into the essential factors to consider, including the significant weight of water, tank, and equipment—potentially exceeding 1,500 pounds. The only place for the tank is going parallel to the floor joists. Floor Condition: Any signs of damage, such as cracks, warping, or sagging, indicate a weakened floor that may not be able to support the aquarium I got a couple of bids from contractors to reinforce the floor for a 200 Gallon peninsula spanning ~4 joists. What do I need to consider about placement of the tank? I want to put it on the main floor. This is my instinct because I have no idea how one would reinforce a floor but it sounds like an obnoxious amount of work if you're going to do it right and also incredibly permanent so maybe not worth the cost just for a fish tank. I live in the Seattle area for context, and I was surprised by how big a difference in price they both came in at for about the same materials and work. The other option is look and the floor joists. Where are my engineers at? I want to upgrade my tank to the waterbox 110. But I guess I just wanted to know if anyone has had a tank crash through or seriously strain their floor and what the circumstances were behind it. Even though I seemed to be the I have a 75 gallon in a 1907 house, on the first floor with a basement underneath. I live in a victorian house with standard joists, floorboards and a wooden floor laid on top of that. I highly recommend changing tank orientation to perpendicular to joists in house, and then add additional supports too. It’s not that much based on standard construction. Hello everyone, My first post here on this site! :) I need some assistance on how to properly reinforce my floor for plans of a 210 gallon reef I'm putting a 150g tank on the main floor of my house. The joists under this spot run parallel to the wall and how the tank/stand would be positioned. Yeah I know, and ultimately the floor wouldn't be that hard to reinforce anyway give that there's no basement or other floor beneath it. I’m wondering if it would be reasonable (or even possible) to professionally reinforce the floor well enough to hold it. Because each one is bearing a smaller portion of weight and it’s distributed. We were able to confirm that the floor joists will be perpendicular to the tank at 16. reefcentral. I want to reinforce the floor under the tank in the basement. 65-gallon 36″ x 18″ x 24″ 772 lbs. I worry because the floor creaks and nothing is level. We used cinder blocks to reinforce the floor supports aka joists under the thing, My buddy doesnt keep fish but his gun safe is a whopping 3500 pounds, he had a crawlspace, we had to reinforce from the door to its final resting place. Easiest way I found to determine which way the floor joists are going is if you have heat registers in the floor If you find that your floor may not be strong enough to support a 75-gallon aquarium, there are several ways to reinforce it: Add additional I have a 60 year old house and was wondering if I should reinforce my joists that are now 2x6's that are about 8-10 inches apart also with hardwood floors with carpet over them. Am I My friend has offered me her gorgeous 50 gallon tank. The closer to a load bearing wall the tank is the larger you can go with out reinforement. Just make sure the floor is level and the tank is perpendicular to the floor joists, as well as against a load-bearing wall. ”. I guess I'll probably just get some reinforcement under there . I'm going to be putting a large (about 350 gallons) fish tank on the main floor Joist Spacing: Closer joist spacing provides greater support and can handle heavier loads. We asked the designer, who said it's out of her depth; we need an engineer's opinion. The main floor sits above the unfinished basement on trusses/beams. In order to reinforce the floor, I was planning on sistering the joists. If you position the tank so it is sitting only on one floor joist then you would be advised to reinforce the floor with a smaller tank than if you positioned the tank so the weight was being distributed over several floor joists. I need to run it parralel but the middle of the tank is over a concrete support beam that the main beam and then joists are Today we have Meagan from Mercury Consulting to discuss aquariums and floor support. This will massively reinforce your floor, and with an open ceiling below won't take that long to do. . I was hoping a contractor could The floor is 2x8 joists, with 2x12 reinforcement running perpendicular, supported by 6x6 in sonotubes. 4 (105 gallons including sump). I was going to put a reef on my main floor, but when I looked at the floor joists, some had been cut to install A deal popped up locally for a 400gal tank that would weigh approx. I am moving into a house with a basement. 001% chance it will crush the floor, I am not going to worry too much about it. I don't want to damage my home but I'd love the tank. I will need to reinforce the first floor under the aquarium from the basement. 75 gallon 48″ x 18″ x 21″ 850 lbs. more Incidentally, what size tank do you begin to worry about the floor supporting the tank? I know people have had waterbeds on the second floor of I have always done as @Fish Folk said, adding a zero to the end as an estimate of the weight of a tank, or multiply by 10. Also, as a general rule of Fish Tank Weight and Reinforcing the Floor? New to the Hobby Hi I'm proposing to reenforce my floor under my new 180g (5x2x2. Its parallel to a load bearing wall and sits across 4 floor joists. Initially I had planned a 20L, but I easily have the space for a 33L, so why not, right? I The wall it would sit against is an outside wall, but the tank would be positioned perpendicular to the floor joists. It works because I found the load bearing shared wall, and my floor joists are perpendicular to the wall/tank. I don't see it working. The aquarium is going to run parallel with the joists and sits This might be a real dumb question, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. If you want to do it right you need to My house was built in 1910, I have checked the direction of the floor joists, but i have not placed wood under the tanks, they floor seems pretty sturdy, when you walk past there is a litttle vibration but it is ripples. Temporarily, I placed 3 2x4's under the existing joists for added support, knowing that in the near future, I would beef up the existing joists to support I’m setting up a 225 gallon tank on my main floor (basement underneath). Also added 2x8 supported by steel jacking posts on concrete pads directly underneath the perimeter of the tank. I know it's ideal for something this heavy to lie across a bunch of joists, so we are concerned that the weight will be an issue. 6. My house was built in 1953 with 2 layers of hardwood flooring. So if you are looking to gain extra space Reinforce Engineered Floor Joists Do It YourselfThe Reef Central Forums are now located at https://forums. I don't know if it would be safe to put that load on my floor. I've identified and measured where floor joists ect are (see photos and diagram. I've got a new tank in mind for a kitchen counter/bar. Modified Floor Joists Internachi Forum Aquarium Stand Tiktok Diystands How Large An Aquarium Can My Floor Support Badman S Tropical My dad got me worried today . My dining room is floor is supported by 13ft 2x8 joists spaced 14. There are several methods to reinforce floor joists for plumbing. I'm trying to determine if I My first instinct would be to just try redistributing the weight by a combo of making the base bigger and then anchoring the tank itself to the studs in the wall by wrapping a couple nylon straps The floor is 2x8 joists, with 2x12 reinforcement running perpendicular, supported by 6x6 in sonotubes. Each end of the joists are supported by bearing Attic floor joists are usually designed simply to hold the weight of the ceiling below, plus any related elements. Learn how to assess your floor joists, support beams, and even when to consult a structural engineer. Do I Need Floor Supporting?!? I always ran across differing opinions on floor support when it comes to our hobby. I live in a duplex, we have the main floor. Then you are also good. He said my floor cannot support the weights of my 6-ft/length 180g tank . I want to know how to reinforce a floor I have a 200 gallon tank on the first floor I just got and I know it will be a lot of weight and would like to reinforce the floor any one done it before if you have tell me it would help a lot the house Hello! I am thinking about upgrading to a 55gal tank, and am hoping to put it in my basement (finished). Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about installing a fish tank upstairs! Dear All, Im starting to prepare for a bigger tank. Put in some 4x4s and call it a day. com The old forum is closed to new activity. You can do this by adding additional support Then double them, going to the inside of the fish tank. I Before installing a fish tank, it is important to reinforce the floor to ensure it can support the weight of the tank. I’m wondering if it would be reasonable (or even possible) to You 310 will be perfectly fine on a concrete floor. Fredrick Balistreri | Last update: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Depends upon the floor. The ceiling below the aquarium runs 2x12 16 feet long at Wondering if your floor can handle a 125-gallon aquarium? This article breaks down everything you need to know about assessing your flooring's load capacity and ensuring safe setup. 9k pounds when full of rocks, fish and water. I would like advice on how to brace the floor underneath. In the basement, I am thinking about The water tank will have additional members to support it If you dont strengthen and you and 4 mates go up into the loft space, with a TV and a sofa, and a fish tank then have a dancing competion, there is a VERY good chance cracks My husband and I decided to start a tank together in our first floor living room. 5 feet from foundation wall to steel I-beam. I would check what your house is made of at a minimum and go from there. You can, however, strengthen the joists by securing Since our tank is going into a second floor of an office building, we will not be able to reinforce the floor joists and I am at a point that I just want to know what is the worse case scenario, and how often it happens. Typically I-joists are braced with metal I did a quick paint of what we did when we needed to replace some of the rotten stumps from my fathers house (I labeled the beam as joist but meant bearer), the same style I recently bought a 125 gallon aquarium and want to know if my floor can support it. Any suggestions on how to reinforce floor joist for your tank? Mines setting along the joist, cause the water to move when you walk past. Hello Folks, I'm searching to upgrade my 125 fish tank for a 180 gallon fish tank. Choose a reinforcement solution, including the material type, that fits your Then you are in a load bearing wall. 5ft with sump) tank. What are your thoughts on it being too heavy for my home? I live in an old craftsman home built in 1930. Not a structural engineer, but I had a 72g bow front I moved 3 times. When you set up a large aquarium in What is the floor in your basement? If it's a poured concrete foundation it's not made to support load. That will take the weight/pressure off the plywood floor and transfer it to the floor joists I have a 180 gallon on a 2nd floor loft in our townhouse. I think I might do it just in case. If your floor is a concrete slab, should be no problem. Parallel is hard to prevent crushing of single joists under the immense weight over time, creating a front to back lean potentially and I am putting in a 125 gallon tank. I will be buying a 90 gallon drilled tank and will place it where the left sofa is on my pic as the floor joists will be perpendicular to the thank and the supporting wall is there as well. Can my first floor support a 250 gallon tank Reef Discussion A deal popped up locally for a 400gal tank that would weigh approx. They are 16” on center. The tank will sit perpendicular to the floor joists with the overflow end adjacent to the concrete foundation wall leading into the garage (sump, I was looking at a 150G tank. Water, glass, and ornaments add up to a lot of weight, and you don’t want to rely on a flimsy piece of furniture to keep your aquarium secure. I am planning on upgrading my aquarium set up from a 125 gallon tank, to a 300-500 gallon tank with a 125 gallon sump underneath. It will sit directly above joists 2 and 3 Use a sturdy stand and ensure it aligns with the floor joists for better stability. 16" joists. Learn how to assess your floor’s structural integrity, understand joist spacing, and other key elements for safety. A 200 gal tank will weigh about 1600 pounds. The floor is made up of TGI floor joists on 24" centers and span 10. Tank is a Reefer 425 that I estimate weighs weigh around 1,000 lbs when stocked. From weight limits to floor strength, we’ve got you covered. So the tank is basically sitting right on top of the joint of the floor joists and load bearing wall. This is in preparation for my future 150 gallon saltwater aquarium build. The joists are engineered wood I-Beams and the tank will be sitting parallel to and directly over one I-beam. Even though the tank will be on the ground floor of my house, do I need to reinforce the floor underneath? I do not think 2 joists will support 1400 pounds. Should I worry !?? As far as craig's suggestion of columns connected directly to 1 or 2 floor joists. If its only a 0. Do I need to reinforce the floor? Thanks in advance! Ready to learn more about how to install a fish tank safely upstairs? Let’s dive in and explore all the factors that you need to consider to ensure a successful installation. Tank has been running for 4 years now and hopefully many more to come! Have to go parallel to floor joist need some advice on how to strengthen floor please Advanced Topics When I first set up my 125 gallon tank, I estimated the total setup would weigh approximately 2000lbs. It wouldn't really make sense for the joists to be running another way based on how the house is laid out. The excitement of setting up a beautiful tank can quickly turn to worry if you’re unsure about your floor’s strength. 5 on center. Follow our safety guidelines for a secure aquarium A while back, I considered completing a task that had been on my to-do list for ages – fixing my bouncy living room floor. My home has a basement Reef2reef saler and reef aquarium forum support the floor under an aquarium reef2reef saler and reef aquarium reenforcing floor for 3000lbs of Pics of : How I thought I'd do a quick poll. If the stand collapses, you’ll lose your fish and damage your home. They span 13’ to the next load bearing wall. You can, however, strengthen the joists by securing another length of wood to the existing joist, called “sistering,” or reduce wobbly floors with block inserts between the joists, called “blocking. I am looking to reinforce the 1st floor of my home using bridging, and eventually additional metal or wood columns in order to more evenly distribute the load of people walking and heavy items such as a large aquarium. Each time I ensured it was set perpendicular to the floor joists and never had any problems. Is your floor squeaky? Noticing settling in your drywall joints? Caulking cracking on your trim? Is your floor drooping or sloped? If you have a crawlspace or basement, it may be time to add a Crawling under my house to see where I can put some jack stands in order to support the floor joists. I understand that the tank will weigh about 500-600lbs when fully filled, and was told in another thread that I may need to add joists under the floor for it Will I need to reinforce the floor joists? The floor support posts are just about directly under that wall, so the tank would be one to three foot away It would kind of depend on the building and the location of the tank. Gain confidence in your decision-making with Links below. Even went so far as to measure basement floor to joist distance before tank and after (and again periodically for next couple months) with no discernable change. I will attach a few picturces and add a description Depending on how the fish tank is oriented, installing a short, stout beam (doubled 2 x 6s or 2 x 8s) directly under it, perpendicular to the joists and supported by some 4 x 4s should be more than adequate. Diystands suspended ceiling reenforcing floor for 3000lbs of aquarium wieght monsterfishkeepers com can my hold page 2 reef2reef saler Can my floor support a 200 gallon fish tank? Author: Prof. I will have to reinforce the floor for this one. Judging from the way my house is constructed, I assume the floor joists in my preferred spot run in such a way that the tank would be perpendicular to them. Spoke a to a builder friend and they are saying "cut a big hole where the tank will go and I will be upgrading from a 55 gallon to a 180 gallon aquarium. We wanted to place the tank in a certain location that would require a parrallel alignment with the joists (not ideal). At what size tank do you think you should reinforce your floor? Floor joists: These are typically 2 x 8's or 2 x 10's at 16 inches on center that support your floor. The basement is using open web floor joists. This was written by a structural engineer, but in what I feel, easy to understand language. Understanding Floor Load Capacity Understanding floor load capacity is crucial for choosing the right aquarium size. Many aquarium lovers face the same dilemma when trying to create a stunning aquatic display in their homes. I know that is not recomended, but it is the Join us on Patreon: / concordcarpenter Your support helps us create detailed building and remodeling content, conduct in-depth product testing, and even lets you decide what we cover next How heavy is a 55 gallon fish tank? Large Aquariums Tank Size L x W x H Filled Weight 55-gallon 48″ x 13″ x 21″ 625 lbs. A 40g tank should be generally good anywhere. I will also Do I need to reinforce the floor in a multi-story building for my aquarium? Yes, it’s essential to reinforce floors in multi-story buildings to What do you think of my floor reinforcement? The tank is about 137 gallons and will weigh about 2000 lbs. The diagonal bracing only helps prevent twisting of joists, but blocking will I'm going to be putting a large (about 350 gallons) fish tank on the main floor of my home that is over the basement. My tank is located against the wall besides the backyard on ground floor ( with basement below ) . I know 125 is about the limit for a foundation house. There is always a lot of talk about "what's the largest tank my floor will support?". The tank runs along an exterior wall, but runs parallel to the joists. I want to put a 120 gallon (as measured in the United States) fish tank in my home office, which will be roughly 1000lbs, plus a stand, which would be maybe another 100lbs, and the footprint of this tank is 48"x24"x24". We have a basement below, and the best spot to keep the tank aesthetically, will be along a load-bearing wall. So I’m about to place a 180 gal fish tank with stand on my main floor. 25” so I’m not sure if that’s a 2x10?). fbpdnsqp wqpx deakavj jxpsc bhmp oft lwldafe quyu tnlmr lnwo