Just a question for all the diy guys out here. I'm getting a 120 48x24x24 aquarium I'm upgrading from a 28 gallon nano. My question is with the weight,I know it'll run around 1400lbs.my floor joists will run perpendicular from the tank,I do have a basement,would I have to use pole jacks for support or will I be fine? All input welcome thank you
120 48x24x24 house placement?
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_Alex_
Valuable Member
Is your basement finished? Where in the house are you putting it?
I would say yes because depending on joists spacing you should be across at least 2-3 maybe 4 joists. You could go in and put in some simple supports to strengthen the joists under it. Or if unfinished basement build a fish room under it.
But also never hurts to have some extra support! Better safe than sorry!!
I would say yes because depending on joists spacing you should be across at least 2-3 maybe 4 joists. You could go in and put in some simple supports to strengthen the joists under it. Or if unfinished basement build a fish room under it.
But also never hurts to have some extra support! Better safe than sorry!!
My basement isn't finished. I do plan on putting up a few walls for just that reason. It would be in my dining room. The house was built somewhere in the 1920s. Could you give be insight on possible options on support? I can pretty much do anything I just want to make sure I don't end up with replacing broken Joyce's.
_Alex_
Valuable Member
Some quality plywood put between the joists with then 2x4 laid flat against the ceiling from joists to joists would stiffen it up. I'm no carpenter so I'm sure there is a better way. But I did it on my floor and had a 120 and a 90 end to end on it with no problems.
_Alex_
Valuable Member
No problem. Of course framing a room in under it would be sufficient and give place later for a sump if it's a useable basement. Most houses here built pre 1950 don't have basement you would want to use for daily life.
Rybren
Valuable Member
I have my 120G up against a load-bearing wall; the floor joists are 2x8 and 12" on centre, they run perpendicular to the tank. I don't have anything shoring up the floor from below - the basement was already finished and I didn't feel like tearing it apart.
I'm happy with it this way.
I'm happy with it this way.
TheEngineer
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There is a sticky thread in this forum that addresses this very concern. Here's the link for it:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/do-i-need-floor-supporting.148582/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/do-i-need-floor-supporting.148582/
If you have a basement, what is the distance the floor joists span, from support wall to support wall. What is the size of each joist and what is the distance (typical) between them? I also assume you'll be placing the talk up against a bearing wall?
Ah, you're correct! I misread it. So, here's what we have so far:
Joists are 1.75" wide and spaced 12.625" on center.
What is the depth from the top of the joist to the bottom?
What is the length of the joist from one end to the other? (Distance between supports).
Thanks for catching that!
Rybren
Valuable Member
kalare, you beat me to it. 
I realise that. I just don't see where he says what the dimensions are.
He said:
I read that to mean that the joists are spaced 12 5/8" on center and not that they are 2 x 14.
As I said earlier, maybe we're interpreting what he said differently. For all I know, you guys might be interpreting it correctly.
I realise that. I just don't see where he says what the dimensions are.
He said:
I read that to mean that the joists are spaced 12 5/8" on center and not that they are 2 x 14.
As I said earlier, maybe we're interpreting what he said differently. For all I know, you guys might be interpreting it correctly.
willthethrill
Active Member
I have a 120 myself but it's in the basement. I did think about this subject when I was considering it's location. Upstairs in my living room was an alternative and I was worried about the weight. I had a funny thought at the time. It's funny how we worry about a 1500-2000lb tank, but I wouldn't think twice about 10 of my friends sitting down at a poker table in a small area (180lb-200lb guys X 10=1800lbs-2000lbs) lol [emoji1]
