How Heavy is too Heavy?

With all the variables, wood condition, age, termites. resting on what type
of block, if any, which way the floor joist lay compared to the tank stand,
etc, etc, It's actually a silly question to ask. The only way to know before
hand is pay to get a guess from a structural engineer.


"Sunshyn" wrote in message
. net...
Obviously the answer to this question will vary depending on the house
but..... at what point do you all think that a tank is heavy enough to
require added support to the floor (ie: bracing the floor from the
basement?)

We're looking at houses right now, sure makes me look at the floor joists
more closely. I calculated my tank at 1100lbs min loaded (water, glass, and
gravel). Lucky where I am right now, condo with concrete level floors. I've
always wondered what a mess 90g's of water makes....


"Sunshyn" wrote in message
. net...
Obviously the answer to this question will vary depending on the house
but..... at what point do you all think that a tank is heavy enough to
require added support to the floor (ie: bracing the floor from the
basement?)

"Sunshyn" wrote in message
. net...
Obviously the answer to this question will vary depending on the house
but..... at what point do you all think that a tank is heavy enough to
require added support to the floor (ie: bracing the floor from the
basement?)

Opinions will vary, and the best comments you could get, would come from
those who wisely decline to comment ;~)

I use 60g as my threshold. Under 60g, my concern is still floor bounce
(I hate to see my tank jiggle forwards). At 60g, I'm at 100 lbs per
sq.ft (which seems reasonable). Over 60g (66-90g), it's often the same 6
sq.ft base, but a taller and heavier tank, so I exercise more caution.
Over 90g and I'm on concrete, over structural walls, perpendicular to
joists, and I'm adding a post (also because of floor bounce). JMO, use
your discretion or professional advice, hth.

NetMax

you can use a little common sense calculations w/o the need of a
structual engineer
a gallon of water equals about 8 pounds
i have a 75 gallon aquarium w/ a 5'x1' footprint
75gals = ~600 lbs
i figure 3 200 pound men in stand next to one another in a 5'x1' area
w/o the floor caving in
so i'm safe

"Shane Kennedy" wrote in message
om...
you can use a little common sense calculations w/o the need of a
structual engineer
a gallon of water equals about 8 pounds
i have a 75 gallon aquarium w/ a 5'x1' footprint
75gals = ~600 lbs
i figure 3 200 pound men in stand next to one another in a 5'x1' area
w/o the floor caving in
so i'm safe

Not to nit pick (but I can so I will), but water is closer to 9 lbs per
gallon, the weight of the tank was omitted, gravel & rocks are heavier
than water (or they would float ;~), and this is only a static load
calculation. If a floor can't hold 600 lbs, then the house should be
condemned. The bigger problem is the dynamic load. A tank installed in
the centre of a room will behave very differently from one against a
structural wall perpendicular to the floor joists. If you ever see a top
heavy 750 lb aquarium rock back & forth from foot traffic, you will have
a better sense of what kind of structural integrity I'm talking about.

cheers
NetMax

"D&M" wrote in message
...
I've always wondered what a mess 90g's of water makes....


I had a 110gal break years ago. It's bad. Real bad. If it ever happens to
you, a shop-vac will be your new best friend.

levittd

Weight sort of makes me nervous, we have a 20g tank which I estimate weighs
about 250lbs or so. Our house is about 17 years old, atleast the end where
the tank is. It's in our bedroom so the weight of the tank and everything
else in the house kind of freaks me out. I know, I'm probably being foolish
but it still kind of scares me.

"Doug W" BUNGBOY17withoutanyspamandadsandothercrap@hotmail .com wrote in
message ...
Also, remember if you pay a "structural engineer" to assess your situation,
they will most likely err on the side of caution to avoid a lawsuit,
probably err'ing on an extra few orders or magnitude these days due to the
litiguous society that we have become.

-Doug


"Sunshyn" wrote in message
. net...
Obviously the answer to this question will vary depending on the house
but..... at what point do you all think that a tank is heavy enough to
require added support to the floor (ie: bracing the floor from the
basement?)






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