240G Aquarium on Main Floor

[Bhorsky]

Hey all! I'm new here and just wanted to check in for some opinions. I bought a 240g aquarium and built a stand (wip) for it. But with the tank, stand, and everything else I'm looking at about 3,000lbs of weight.

I'm putting the tank in the living room against a load bearing wall and perpendicular with the 2x8 support beams. The stand is 10ft x 27.5" w.

I am putting supports under the floor in the basement which is unfinished. But I want to double check what I am doing is correct.

 

[blaxsun]

To be 100% you should probably consult a structural engineer.

 

[Bhorsky]

I probably will! Thanks for your input!

 

[exnisstech]

I had two 180 gallons in my 11x14 living room and a 150 gallon in the adjoining dining room for years all at the same time. House total is only 1100 square feet to give an idea how close they were. I added 2 pole jacks with 4x4 beam spanning 3 floor joist and thats it. The floors never sagged as none of the tanks went out of level. I think people under estimate how much weight a floor can handle. My budget would never permit hiring a structural engineer but if you can swing it that would be safest.

EDIT : took another look at your image and I think that support system would be more than adequate, especially considering your next to a concrete wall. Oh and welcome aboard!

 

[dstockwell]

Good luck with the build.

Welcome to the Reef

 

[Bhorsky]

I had two 180 gallons in my 11x14 living room and a 150 gallon in the adjoining dining room for years all at the same time. House total is only 1100 square feet to give an idea how close they were. I added 2 pole jacks with 4x4 beam spanning 3 floor joist and thats it. The floors never sagged as none of the tanks went out of level. I think people under estimate how much weight a floor can handle. My budget would never permit hiring a structural engineer but if you can swing it that would be safest.

EDIT : took another look at your image and I think that support system would be more than adequate, especially considering your next to a concrete wall. Oh and welcome aboard!

Thanks for the reply! Makes me feel alot better. I cannot afford hiring someone. The posts I have are actually rated for 11,800lbs and I'm going to sister the joints as well.

 

[Bhorsky]

Thanks for the reply! Makes me feel alot better. I cannot afford hiring someone. The posts I have are actually rated for 11,800lbs and I'm going to sister the joints as well.

 

[Bhorsky]

Good luck with the build.

Welcome to the Reef

Thank you I have a 90 gallon established Reef right now. The trick is transferring it over. I already have had to collect 150g of distilled water

 

[Bhorsky]

Thank you I have a 90 gallon established Reef right now. The trick is transferring it over. I already have had to collect 150g of distilled water LOL

 

[workhz]

I just bought a 240G, now I’m trying to figure out if my house will collapse and it will probably costs $30k in equipment and stocking but I can’t have loads looked at properly because that costs too much. Did I get that right? Something seems out of order with these steps

If you want to be super duper safe, I guess add a steel I-beam instead of a wood 6x6 but don’t think either are actually needed.

 

[DeniseAndy]

We have a 210g on the main floor, near a steel beam and perpendicular to the floor boards. We consulted the builder (as we built the house) about the need for supports in the basement for the tank weight. We got it will be fine as it is almost over the steel beam and the floor beams were strong for that weight load.
Very happy we had to add no support in basement. Although it was also unfinished and we were willing to do so.

 

[Bhorsky]

I just bought a 240G, now I’m trying to figure out if my house will collapse and it will probably costs $30k in equipment and stocking but I can’t have loads looked at properly because that costs too much. Did I get that right? Something seems out of order with these steps

If you want to be super duper safe, I guess add a steel I-beam instead of a wood 6x6 but don’t think either are actually needed.

Steel beam is a great idea as I haven't bought the 6x6 yet, but I already have everything else. But I get your point aha

 

[TheReefDiary]

Hey all! I'm new here and just wanted to check in for some opinions. I bought a 240g aquarium and built a stand (wip) for it. But with the tank, stand, and everything else I'm looking at about 3,000lbs of weight.

I'm putting the tank in the living room against a load bearing wall and perpendicular with the 2x8 support beams. The stand is 10ft x 27.5" w.

I am putting supports under the floor in the basement which is unfinished. But I want to double check what I am doing is correct.

save yourself the money and get some posts under the floor in that area as you stated. all new construction is built for live loads of thousands of pounds. I'd ensure your joists are all nailed off with proper hangers. post at the corners of the tank.

this load obviously isn't live, so posts are recommended, but in reality the floor should be able to hold it. posts are for longevity and peace of mind. also so you don't get sag over time.

 

[workhz]

Steel beam is a great idea as I haven't bought the 6x6 yet, but I already have everything else. But I get your point aha

I was joking a bit but I do wonder what the deflection is on a 6x6 piece of wood vs a 2x6 oriented properly or better yet 2-3 2x6s oriented properly and secured together.

 

[Bhorsky]

I was joking a bit but I do wonder what the deflection is on a 6x6 piece of wood vs a 2x6 oriented properly or better yet 2-3 2x6s oriented properly and secured together.

Yeah I know but I thought I may save a bit of money with a beam, at least where I live lumber is brutally expensive. I was wrong though. Wood is still cheaper lol.

 

[Bhorsky]

save yourself the money and get some posts under the floor in that area as you stated. all new construction is built for live loads of thousands of pounds. I'd ensure your joists are all nailed off with proper hangers. post at the corners of the tank.

this load obviously isn't live, so posts are recommended, but in reality the floor should be able to hold it. posts are for longevity and peace of mind. also so you don't get sag over time.

I may switch to a 4x4x10 for the beam, since I actually have one already and save money like you stated. That way I'm using everything I already have

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks for the reply! Makes me feel alot better. I cannot afford hiring someone. The posts I have are actually rated for 11,800lbs and I'm going to sister the joints as well.

Your welcome. IMO people tend to way over think things sometimes. I've seen people build stands that will support a 10klb truck. Better safe than sorry I guess but sometime too much is over board. I wouldn't bother with a steel beam. To be honest I would use the 4x4 that you already have and 3 pole jacks total with no 4x4s. I'll add some images just to give you an idea how much weight was on my floor for 6 years. The missing 180 was next to the beam in the center of the house so I did not reinforce that area at all. I put two pole jacks with a made beam that only spanned 3 floor joist, 1 under the missing 150 and one under the current 180.
Tanks current and no longer here.

Pole jacks

 

[TheReefDiary]

I may switch to a 4x4x10 for the beam, since I actually have one already and save money like you stated. That way I'm using everything I already have

you'll only need posts at the corner. the extra middle posts won't really be doing much holding of the weight if you plan on doing a beam in addition. the beam transfers the weight to the outside posts. if a beam can hold up your house it can hold up the aquarium without the extra posts.

 

[Bhorsky]

you'll only need posts at the corner. the extra middle posts won't really be doing much holding of the weight if you plan on doing a beam in addition. the beam transfers the weight to the outside posts. if a beam can hold up your house it can hold up the aquarium without the extra posts.

I actually thought this, but wasn't 100% sure! Thanks!

 

[TheReefDiary]

I actually thought this, but wasn't 100% sure! Thanks!

I would do what @exnisstech did for his. you don't even need the beam. just get expandable posts and call it a day.