Do I need to enforce my floor?

[christwendt]

Hello I made the mistake and did not think about the floor set up before I ordered the tank. I have gotten so many mixed reviews about enforcing a floor. The problem is the house is small and I want the tank in main room across this wall. The issue is
It’s going to be about 120 gallons water total. It’s a 100 gallon tank with 40 gallon sump.
The floor joist are running Parallel with where the tank is going. It’s on hardwood floor.
It’s going to be at this spot for 2-3 years when I move again into my future home. What can I do? Must it be perpendicular to the floor joists? Can I get away with it being parallel ? How do I enforce the floor below ? I’ve tried to read a lot but I just don’t know. A structural engineer quoted me 600 dollars for a stamp.. who do I hire? Sorry for all the questions. Here is the new tank!

 

[MasterOfNone]

Your setup is going to be around 1400 pounds when filled, this could cause your floor joists to slowly bend over time, and also make your tank bounce as people walk by it. Consider also people standing near the tank. If you had a few people over there could easily be 2000 pounds concentrated in that one area. Putting the tank across as many joists as possible is better than running it parallel but not ideal, putting the tank over a beam with teleposts going down to the basement floor or against an exterior wall with the joists perpendicular to the tank is better.

 

[Uncle99]

Provided the stand sits 100% flat over the entire area, I doubt you should have much trouble if your floor is of normal construction.
It’s important to keep it flat so it spreads the weight evenly.
You can always call 5-7 friends, stand in the area, she if there’s any play.
If you have access, a simple 2x4 brace would eliminate, any risk.
I did this below for my 180g.
Took 2 hours

 

[Big Smelly fish]

Sometimes I think we over think things. I have had large tanks on 2nd flood apartments, in all kinds of houses and mobile homes over the years, never had an issue with placement. Just my opinion,

 

[Chrisv.]

Did the structural engineer who gave you the quote say it was required? I know he stands to profit, but if trust an engineer who personally inspected it over a bunch of well intentioned folks online who haven't been to your house to see things in person.

 

[ShoreReefer]

I agree with adding support in the basement if you’re worried about it. For $100 in 2x4’s you will have a piece of mind especially if it’s just a few years

 

[christwendt]

Provided the stand sits 100% flat over the entire area, I doubt you should have much trouble if your floor is of normal construction.
It’s important to keep it flat so it spreads the weight evenly.
You can always call 5-7 friends, stand in the area, she if there’s any play.
If you have access, a simple 2x4 brace would eliminate, any risk.
I did this below for my 180g.
Took 2 hours

Can you show me how it’s attached to the ceiling? I will have to cut into the ceiling of the basement.

 

[christwendt]

Provided the stand sits 100% flat over the entire area, I doubt you should have much trouble if your floor is of normal construction.
It’s important to keep it flat so it spreads the weight evenly.
You can always call 5-7 friends, stand in the area, she if there’s any play.
If you have access, a simple 2x4 brace would eliminate, any risk.
I did this below for my 180g.
Took 2 hours

Is your tank running parallel or perpendicular to joists?

 

[Uncle99]

Is your tank running parallel or perpendicular to joists?

Perp.

 

[christwendt]

Perp.

That’s another issue I have. The house is very small so it’s difficult to put it in a common area of house perpendicular. Ugh this stinks. Thank you.

 

[Uncle99]

Can you show me how it’s attached to the ceiling? I will have to cut into the ceiling of the basement.

The basement is unfinished, so easy, I assume yours is finished.
I only need the “brace” to fit snug, but not necessarily screwed to anything. It’s just a support. Build the brace to “just” fit to the ceiling, maybe put some carpet on the top so it does scratch, then, use shims on the bottom to “wedge” in in place.

 

[christwendt]

Did the structural engineer who gave you the quote say it was required? I know he stands to profit, but if trust an engineer who personally inspected it over a bunch of well intentioned folks online who haven't been to your house to see things in person.

It was like a certification stamp for the state. They didn’t actually do the repair job. I don’t want to get ripped off. What should I expect to pay for inspection and install? Do structural engineers do the install or only look at the project ?

 

[Dcloser12]

What size floor joist on what span. I'm a framer and own my own business. I can tell you. I just need to know own long of a span the joist run and the size

 

[christwendt]

The basement is unfinished, so easy, I assume yours is finished.
I only need the “brace” to fit snug, but not necessarily screwed to anything. It’s just a support. Build the brace to “just” fit to the ceiling, maybe put some carpet on the top so it does scratch, then, use shims on the bottom to “wedge” in in place.

I looked into the light outlet. There is about a foot from where the ceiling is and where the joists are. So the brace would literally be supporting nothing if that makes sense.

 

[christwendt]

What size floor joist on what span. I'm a framer and own my own business. I can tell you. I just need to know own long of a span the joist run and the size

I will measure when I get over to my girlfriend’s and personal message you.

 

[Uncle99]

That’s another issue I have. The house is very small so it’s difficult to put it in a common area of house perpendicular. Ugh this stinks. Thank you.

The “brace” would be opposite to your joists.
Then the direction issue is no longer a problem.

 

[Dcloser12]

I will measure when I get over to my girlfriend’s and personal message you.

Sounds good

 

[christwendt]

The “brace” would be opposite to your joists.
Then the direction issue is no longer a problem.

That makes sense. If I put it on the ceiling tho I don’t think it is touching the joists. When I looked into the ceiling there was a gap from the ceiling to the joist.

 

[Uncle99]

I looked into the light outlet. There is about a foot from where the ceiling is and where the joists are. So the brace would literally be supporting nothing if that makes sense.

Sounds like a suspended ceiling, so I agree, that’s not going to work.

 

[christwendt]

Sounds like a suspended ceiling, so I agree, that’s not going to work.

Shoot what about cutting into the ceiling and adding a single column. Kinda like this.