How big before needing to reinforce floor?

[vietcu]

I am thinking about upgrading my current 75g tank to something in the 180-220 range. I have a ranch house that is built somwhere between 1940-1960, with a full basement. The new tank that I would get would go against an exterior wall in my livingroom perpinducular to the floor joist. How much in total water volume and rocks can I go before having to worry about reinforcing joist? I am trying to stay away from that because where the tank sit, it is on top of a finish basement. Reinforcing the joist would be out of the question.

[Raul-7]

It's impossible for us to make an accurate judgement, most of us would probably reinforce the joists as a precaution once we hit the 180G+ mark. You need to call in a structural engineer to be absolutely sure.

Here's a great article that will explain why: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/aquarium_weight.php

[mgranato]

Wow, the scope you'd pay for misjudging that one would not be something I'd want to think about. Running perp is in your favor, but without knowing joist spans, thicknesses, etc. it's just a shot in the dark. Houses in that age bracket were usually build with better materials than todays homes (pine vs "white wood'), but if you could get an expert on site I bet you'd sleep better at night.

[atwinparadox2]

+1 on contacting an expert, don't wing this one, or you will have a skylight in your basement!

[vietcu]

Thanks guys. From the looks of things I will probably get a bigger tank and put it in the basement, or try to convince my wife to get a different house that is more fish friendly :).

[mpoletti]

I supported the raised flooring for my 180 gallon tank/220 gallon system. If you are worried about it, then it should probably be done. If anything, it will be one less thing to worry about ;)

[Ryan009]

If you keep it upstairs, would it be sitting on hardwood floors or carpeting?

If it's carpeting, you may be able to peel it back and reinforce the joists from the floor upstairs rather then tearing into the ceiling downstairs.

Here's my thread where I reinforced my floor:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1502721

It's scary, but you'd be glad you did it in the end.

[vietcu]

I redid my whole floor to hardwood when I moved in. Had to tear it down to the joist and rebuild as the plywood was crap. Wish I had known at the time that I would be into getting a big fish tank. It is too late now to tear into my hardwood just so I can put a tank there. I don't think the wife would be too happy with me doing that.

[Psyire]

I have 240 gallons on my 2nd floor. All against a support wall and perpendicular to the joists. It hasn't moved even 1/16th an inch in 3 years.

I'd still recommend getting a professional opinon however...

[JHAI3]

I am having similar issues. However, our home is three years old. I managed to get the actual structural engineer for our home on the phone and apparently homes are built to the standard of 40 lbs of live load per sqft. 50lbs per sqft is about as far as he recommended pushing the limit without additional reinforcement.