What size tank on the second level do you start to worry?

[DylanE]

Saw a few topics on this by searching, but couldn’t find exactly what I’m looking for. Hopefully I didn’t miss it.

Basically, looking to upgrade my current 75g reef, which is on the second level, to a 150. The current position is against what looks like a weight bearing wall that supports a huge loft. I purchased the home a year and a half ago and dont have the blueprints, but it was build in 2001. As you can see in the photos, there is a large beam down stairs that runs below the location, and runs the width of the house. Prior owners had a Murphy bed in that spot that must have been 1000 pounds.

I’ve looked into having an engineer out, but we live super rurally and it would probably be nearly the price of the tank. Is 150g enough weight to make it worth while? My project this weekend is going to be to pull up some plywood in the crawlspace and take a look under the floor there, but assuming it’s a weightbearing wall, would you worry enough to get an engineer?

 

[Miller535]

I have a uncle who is a contractor, when I asked him, he told me in his opinion anything over 75 gallons needs reinforced. I upgraded to a 125 gallon tank on the second floor. And he recommended that I run a board along the floor studs and I did then used 2 hose jacks that are 2 tons a piece. And that was about 10 years ago.

 

[DylanE]

I have a uncle who is a contractor, when I asked him, he told me in his opinion anything over 75 gallons needs reinforced. I upgraded to a 125 gallon tank on the second floor. And he recommended that I run a board along the floor studs and I did then used 2 hose jacks that are 2 tons a piece. And that was about 10 years ago.

Over 75? I guess that’s me haha. Better to overpay for the tank than have it fall through the floor, I guess. Thanks!

 

[tehmadreefer]

300g then I’d worry !

 

[Miller535]

Over 75? I guess that’s me haha. Better to overpay for the tank than have it fall through the floor, I guess. Thanks!

The weight adds up quickly when you think about it. My 125 gallon tank empty weighs about 210lbs. My Stand weighs about 100. I have close to 200 pounds of live rock. I have about 120 pounds of sand. That's 630 pounds and that does not count for the 55 gallon sump I have under it. Or the 8.5 pounds per gallon of saltwater. And I believe I have about 130 gallons of system water (about 1100 pounds). For a total of 1,730 pounds. And that does not factor in the weight of my sump or any of the equipment sitting in it. I am probably easily 1900 pounds. And that's 1900 pounds over a 6ft by 1.5 ft area.