150-180gal on second floor, too much weight?

150-180gal on second floor, too much weight?

  • Consult contractor and/or architect first.

    Votes: 30 55.6%

  • No problem, it'll be fine where you want to put it.

    Votes: 10 18.5%

  • Your contractor is gonna love'ya, when he fixes your house.

    Votes: 14 25.9%
  • Total voters
    54
ChileRelleno

ChileRelleno

500+ jumps-n-counting,SKYDIVE!
Feb 10, 2005
540
2
0
56
Mobile, AL
I'm going to be upgrading to either a 150 or 180gal tank-n-stand.
I want to put it upstairs, on the second story of our house, where our 75gal is currently located.
Now I know I'm talking about upwards of one ton (2000-2400lbs) concentrated on a 12sq ft area, but.....
The area in which I would like to place it is a new addition and well built, with the area beneath it being supported by what was once a outside structural wall, that is the current floor joists in that area are supported by a original load bearing structural wall as a center support.
I want to locate the 150/180gal tank over this specific area, I plan on re-enforcing the subfloor with a sheet of 3/4"+ plywood.
I also plan a stand with three full length top-n-bottom runners with vertical supports so as to evenly distribute the load.

What'ya think,
any contractors,architects or engineers out there want to give me some reccomendations?
 
What's the structural wall made out of? Do you live in a seismic area? Sounds like you have already done your homework, so you should be fine. Just make sure that structural wall is built well enough to handle another 2400 pounds... because it has the house load to deal with too :) I'm an architect (in training) FYI.


P.S. if the floor is made out of anything less than 2x8 (2x10 preferable) don't bother. You will have too much deflection for the tank to handle.
 
sardesign said:
What's the structural wall made out of? Do you live in a seismic area? Sounds like you have already done your homework, so you should be fine. Just make sure that structural wall is built well enough to handle another 2400 pounds... because it has the house load to deal with too :)
Click to expand...
Wall is standard bearing wall framing on slab with brick all the way up the original one story outer face. I believe a layer or two was taken to facilitate the remodel of adding the second floor.
 
sardesign said:
What's the structural wall made out of? Do you live in a seismic area? Sounds like you have already done your homework, so you should be fine. Just make sure that structural wall is built well enough to handle another 2400 pounds... because it has the house load to deal with too :) I'm an architect (in training) FYI.


P.S. if the floor is made out of anything less than 2x8 (2x10 preferable) don't bother. You will have too much deflection for the tank to handle.
Click to expand...
Sardesign,
the tank I want is standard 6x2x2 180 gal tank.
The particular spot I want to situate the tank is directly over what was once a exterior bearing wall (now interior due to remodel) this bearing wall acts runs perpandicular to the joist acting as a row of support beams.
The joist are standard 2x6 set at 16" centers covered with 1/2" plywood subflooring, the joist run aprox 15' from a exterior wall (not sure if its a bearing wall) across a couple of partition walls to the (now interior) bearing wall. The joist then continue another 12' to another bearing wall (once exterior now interior bearing wall) and continue aprox another 15' to the opposite exterior wall (pretty sure this one is load bearing).
So aprox 42' of 2x6 @ 16" joist supported by atleast three perpandicular (probably four) bearing walls, with the two center supporting walls being 12' apart and 15' from the ends.

Perhaps if I went in and sistered or even sandwiched the joists in and just beyond the area above the two interior bearing walls? Dagblsated 2x6's!

The more I think about it the more I wish the joist were 2x8 or 2x10.
And the more I conclude that I really need to go and get the original and add-on plans/blueprints and consult a architect before putting a ton of water and glass upstairs
 
it's best not to exceed 125 gallons. I wouldn't do it if i were you unless your reinforce your floors. I did a lot of research before i got my 115 gallon. I'll try to find this link that i found really helpful
 
I agree with Victor... especially with 2x6's!!! Lumber nowadays is horrible and no where near the strength of the old days (i'm young though :) I wouldn't put that 180 gallon up there unless you did reinforce the floor. If it sits right over the bearing wall, you will need to take the drywall off, put more studs in (probably around 8" O.C.), sheath it with plywood so that the wall does not twist under the extreme weight. Next is something to cut the span down so you are not travelling more than.... maybe 12 to 15 feet for those tiny little joists. I would sister up the joists, sheath that with 2 layers of 3/4" ply and still need a column in the wall across (maybe two) to support the load and get it down to the ground.

I know this sounds like a lot, but 2x6's are weak and they shouldn't even be used for just normal floor loads let alone a large aquarium. It's really not hard to put all of this together, but it will take some time and planning. Try a local structural engineer. Architects and contractors are not really the people to be talking to because there are too many bad ones (I know because I have to deal with them :) A good structural engineer will be able to figure out what you would need and if need be, a contractor can build it (unless you are capable of doing it yourself). BEWARE of working on load bearing walls though. It's not safe to work on them unless you shore them (support them).
 
P.S. With all that said, consider a smaller tank upstairs and that big one downstairs.

Just to give you an idea... the IBC 2003 (international building code) requires somewhere in the range of 50 to 60 pounds per square foot ratings for floors. Your tank will certainly exceed 150 pounds per square foot. With those 2x6's, the building code your house was built under probably falls below even the 50 pounds per square foot.
 
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How do waterbeds work out then?? I'm not doubting anyone, just throwing it out there if anyone knows. I realize it is distributed over alot more area, but it is alot more water too isn't it?? I just thought it was funny too, I never would have questioned putting a waterbed on a second floor, but a fish tank scares me!!!
 
A king size water bed must be around 300 gallons of water. 1+ ton. Wow, and with some action, I'd rather leave it downstairs.

Just take into consideration that a 180 gallon tank will not reach 1 ton.
 
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