Larger FOWLR

[James Martz]

Any structural gurus out there?
Looking to go larger and need input.
Current tank is 120”x30”x24” - 375g with 180g sump. Located in living room above basement. Tank runs perpendicular to joists and backs up to a load bearing wall (I-beam and supports in basement). I reinforced 10 of the joists with LVL joists. Has been running for 7 years with no issues.
Got permission from the boss to go bigger! Looking at either a 120”x36”x36” or 140”x36”x36”.

The question I have is will the LVL and standard joists be enough to support the additional weight.

 

[death-by-reef]

Probably not, tho I wouldn’t know
Best bet is to put it in the basement if u have a finished one

 

[James Martz]

Unfortunately. Basement is not an option. I can barely get a washer/dryer down with the tight turns, no way a 10 foot long tank will make it.

 

[Devaji]

no hep here other than saying get a structural engineer to come out and to the math for you. safest bet.

you might get away with sistering every floor joist then adding another supporting wall with more I beams......BUT what the heck to I know. that is a ton of weight and water would hate to see it damage your house and life stock loss.

can you pot a pic of your current set up please. I have dreamed of a 120" tank for years.

 

[James Martz]

no hep here other than saying get a structural engineer to come out and to the math for you. safest bet.

you might get away with sistering every floor joist then adding another supporting wall with more I beams......BUT what the heck to I know. that is a ton of weight and water would hate to see it damage your house and life stock loss.

can you pot a pic of your current set up please. I have dreamed of a 120" tank for years.

I’ll take some pictures this weekend of current setup.

 

[Txoutlaw]

You're probably gong to need another brace about 6 feet out from that load bearing wall.going perpendicular to the joist "parallel" to the tank. i would close it in and make a water mixing station/sump room or if your sump is under the tank in the stand then move it to the basement and put the new tank in.that should offset the weight of the new tank.

 

[James Martz]

 

[James Martz]

 

[James Martz]

 

[James Martz]

Guess I need to work on my picture skills!

Current stock:
Vlamingi Tang
Dussumieri Tang
Caribbean Blue Tang
Queen Angel
Japanese Gold Hawk
Red Coris Wrasse
Melanurus Wrasse
Blue Jaw Trigger
Frilled filefish
Star and stripes Puffer
Reticulated Puffer
Starry Benny
Bangai Cardinal

In quarantine:
Tiger jewfish x2
Dragon goby
Starry Puffer

On order:
Fowleri Tang

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Can you snap photos of the basement right below where the tank sits?

It hasn't been suggested but why are shoring poles out of the question?

 

[James Martz]

Partially finished basement below tank. Kids area. I dont have an issue tearing the ceiling out and sistering in additional joists, just not sure if that would be enough.
Looking for structural consultants in the area.

 

[death-by-reef]

Tanks lookin good!! It would be fun to do a bat fish if u want

 

[Devaji]

my thought for what ever there worth....
go BIG then section off under the tank and frame in a fish room add more support then you think you would need once you have that double it. haha ad the sump in the basement fish/support room( see what I did there?)

if you get the 140"er please for the love of all things reef do a build thread. I want to see that bad boy.

I wanted a 300+ but only got a 200 as I am above an unfinished basement even tho it 's support my some 4x4. I would want to add more support but felt it not soming I can do by may self.

 

[Txoutlaw]

Partially finished basement below tank. Kids area. I dont have an issue tearing the ceiling out and sistering in additional joists, just not sure if that would be enough.
Looking for structural consultants in the area.

 

[Txoutlaw]

Is the tank above the couch or on the right side wall?also too,it don't look like the kids use that area so i would put it to good use.

 

[James Martz]

Tank is above right side wall. Kids use area, it was just a disaster from the holidays and in process of being cleaned.

 

[Txoutlaw]

well one of two things needs to happen.you either work with what you have and tear down the ceiling and sister the joinst.hope for the best.or do it right.put up the braces and add a fish room/sump area.

 

[Devaji]

curious to see what you end up doing and what the structural engineer says. there are deff. ways to keep the kids area and support the tank.

i am thinking laminated beams running from support wall to wall or better yet foundation to foundation would do the trick and could even look nice in the basement.

do let us know what happens

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

my house in naperville had a 10x4x4 .. it was cheaper/easier to cut out the floor and they poured 2 columns with lots or rebar