100 Gallon tank 48x24x20 second floor

JCSReefing · May 5, 2017

I know there has been many topics on here about the placement of aquariums on second story but i want to be sure before i order a tank.
A little bacround is my house is less than 10yrs old and i live in houston tx. builder is david weekly homes and i have gameroom i would like to put a 100g tank in. Currently i have a 65 gallon (which I'm not sure is sitting over any floor joists or not). Im not exactly sure which way the joists are running but i would assume they would be running front to back of the house since that would be the "shorter" length of the room which is i'd say 25x18.
If i get the 100g tank, i would of course be sure that it is going purpendicular to the joists. WOULD THIS WORK OR is it too heavy? Anyone on here have engineering/construction insight. total tank weight would be roughtly 1200-1400lbs.

thanks,

jsker · May 5, 2017

I would suggest calling in an engineer just to be sure. It is vary hard to tell and know the codes in your area. Just a simple could answer your question

JCSReefing · May 8, 2017

I was trying to see if this was possible without having to hire an engineer to come in. I'm sure that wouldn't be cheap.

JCSReefing · Jun 26, 2017

So has anyone put a 100g or larger on a second floor? Like media or gameroom or anything?

Giraffe0621 · Jun 26, 2017

jcs401 said:
I know there has been many topics on here about the placement of aquariums on second story but i want to be sure before i order a tank.
A little bacround is my house is less than 10yrs old and i live in houston tx. builder is david weekly homes and i have gameroom i would like to put a 100g tank in. Currently i have a 65 gallon (which I'm not sure is sitting over any floor joists or not). Im not exactly sure which way the joists are running but i would assume they would be running front to back of the house since that would be the "shorter" length of the room which is i'd say 25x18.
If i get the 100g tank, i would of course be sure that it is going purpendicular to the joists. WOULD THIS WORK OR is it too heavy? Anyone on here have engineering/construction insight. total tank weight would be roughtly 1200-1400lbs.

thanks,

Definitely NOT an engineer here, but found this article about just this issue while researching for my tank. I'm having a friend who does construction come put in sistering floor joists & an extra support lolly BEFORE the tank gets filled with any water so that the joists & new support beam deflect together with the new load.

Cost? $170 plus a 12-pack of beer for labor costs (maybe an hour's worth of work). I'm sure it's completely unnecessary (as did he) for 130 gallon tank on the 1st floor of a newer house, in the corner of an exterior wall, etc. but for < $200 it gave me some extra reassurance that is definitely worth it in my opinion.

http://www.african-cichlid.com/Structure.htm