Reinforcing the floor under a large tank?

S

spinjector

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Jan 24, 2005
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Does anyone have any guidelines as to when or not to reinforce the floor under a large tank?

I ask because I might buy a 110H. I am in an apartment, but my garage is underneath. If I put the tank in the living room, I can easily brace the floor, and the braces would be out of the way in the back of the garage.

I know the tank, the water, and the accessories would weigh about 1000 pounds. I do not know if this is within the limits of normal apartment building construction. My building is brick with a steel beam running lengthwise through the building.

Any suggestions...?
 
if your going to put your tank anywhere put it beside a wall so that the braces and floor can support the weight.
 
situate the tank such that it runs across several joists rather than in the same direction as the joists. if you feel that you 'need' to brace the floor underneath the tank, use 4x4's. my feeling is that if the joists are 2x12 and the tank runss across several of them, you don't need to brace the floor.
 
I suggest finding out what is code in your area for floor bearing weights. If you already know the sqft. footprint and the total weight of the tank then you can calculate how much weight is being dispersed in one sqft. If you find out what code is then you can be pretty confident that it will be ok.
If you can't find code and the weight is under 30-40 maybe 50 lbs per sqft then you are most likely ok. I think 100 lbs per sqft is common. That being said I am not building inspector so what the heck do I know?
 
Tank is going to weigh close to 1300 pounds.

I'd do some checking. If you can situate it over the steel beam, that'll help a lot, I should think. Unless the beam is already at its max or close to it :)

Roan
 
If it is 2x12's you shouldn't need to brace, But anything less I would Probaly Cross Brace and use a Vertical Brace as well. you want to be as safe as possible in an apartment.
 
spinjector,

You say if you brace it the bracing would be in the back of the garage. If "back" means against a wall, and the joists run perpendicular to the wall and the tank above you're fine. The back wall is all the bracing it needs.

By the way have you had a 110 before? Mine was 48x18x30 I believe. Anyway reaching into it was a pain do to the height. If you can fit it go for the longer 125, it's only another 15 gallons but the size ratio is more workable and better for the fish.
 
Cpl points A: Ask your landlord about this and or read the lease
B: Renters insurance get some to cover any damage
 
By the way have you had a 110 before? Mine was 48x18x30 I believe. Anyway reaching into it was a pain do to the height.
Click to expand...

OH tell me about it!!!! I am 5'-2 on a good day and have to stand on a chair just to get over it to feed... It is a gorgeous tank and wood canopy, but MAN what a pain if you are not 7' tall

If there is no restrictions about having a water bed in the apt. it shouldnt be a big deal...Just keep it running across the joists, not with...
 
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