Floor support.

[intyme]

Would you rather use adjustable jacks or pressure-treated 4 x 4's? It will be going in a dirt floor basement.

[Mark426]

Adjustable

[davocean]

Either will work but more important IMO is how compressed that dirt floor is and really there should be some sort of footing to actually do anything.
This also would depend on what size tank we are talking about

[BlackTip]

You need concrete footing no matter which way you go. Dirt will compress under weight.

[cbm369]

agree on what above posters say;

but would still go with adjustable, because if you have any settlement issues (even with concrete footing), you can always adjust as necessary with the adjustable jacks.

[intyme]

Idk how compressed it is, but I was planning on getting some 18x18 concrete pavers to set up under the jack or 4x4's

[intyme]

Edit- the house was built in 1920.

[Reefstarter2]

if you want to be really sure dig down 3 ft and pour a footing under the jacks

[davocean]

You're still not giving us an idea of what kind of weight we are planning for, as in how big of tank.
To some big is 100g, others 400g, need some kind of idea.
Pics of framing help, dims.
Concrete pavers will just crack

[intyme]

It's for a 90 gallon reef, the joists run perpendicular with the tank. The joist are 2x6's the are notched and set in a 6x6 beam. The 6x6 beam will be running along the back side of the tank. I'll get some joist hangers for the back side where the tank sits. Maybe a 4x4 front brace?

[davocean]

OK that helps a bit.
You might not even have to do anything if the framing and floor is sound, but because it's old and not typical or common framing for what we would normally do today it wouldn't hurt to add some support.
I would maybe do a couple cement piers w/ 4x4 posts just to be safe.
This is just off the top of my head advice though, really I like to see in person or in pics to be certain(I'm a carpenter/contractor)
Really most of us do not stress on anything under about a 120g, but your situation is not typical.

[intyme]

Ok, I'll try to get some pics up later

[woodnaquanut]

ok, i'll try to get some pics up later

+1

[intyme]

My phone isn't letting me post, grrrrr, the safari app crashes as soon as I hit the image link button. ***

[Azeya209]

OK that helps a bit.
You might not even have to do anything if the framing and floor is sound, but because it's old and not typical or common framing for what we would normally do today it wouldn't hurt to add some support.
I would maybe do a couple cement piers w/ 4x4 posts just to be safe.
This is just off the top of my head advice though, really I like to see in person or in pics to be certain(I'm a carpenter/contractor)
Really most of us do not stress on anything under about a 120g, but your situation is not typical.

I agree it should be ok. But taking some extra precautions wouldn't hurt.

[Komfortable]

My phone isn't letting me post, grrrrr, the safari app crashes as soon as I hit the image link button. ***
Tapatalk app works like a charm for me when posting images, fwiw.

How many joists will sit underneath your tank? 90 gal of water is 720+ lbs. Add to that your sump, glass, stand, and all equipment and you'll likely be in the 1000lb range. Keep that in mind when setting up the adjustable jacks. I agree with the above post advising that you pour footings. You are in a unique position with the dirt floor, as you can dig without any special equipment. Though, if you had access to a large auger I would think that would be great, not to mention quicker.

[intyme]

The back of the tank will be sitting about 4inches off the 6x6 header by the clamp light http://http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb191/intyme425/116353AC-13B8-4B82-959E-B310DF774AE8.jpg

[intyme]

This is another shot. I plan on bridging the 2x6's and setting joist hangers. The tank will sit perpendicular with the joistshttp://http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb191/intyme425/F950A0E3-1167-49D1-B889-96861A8A79E1_1.jpg

[intyme]

http://http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb191/intyme425/F950A0E3-1167-49D1-B889-96861A8A79E1_1.jpg

[intyme]

Sorry for the huge pics lol

[laga77]

I made a living installing footing and foundations for 30 years. This is my assessment and you can decide what you want to do. The dirt has been there for 95 years and is compacted as it is ever going to be. It is inside, not exposed to the elements, and is not going to move. Your tank is going to max out no more than 1000 pounds. That is not a lot but if you feel the floor needs some help then do it. We are not there and cannot make that call. Concrete blocks will work for you if you set them on flat, smooth ground. Then, place some pressure treated lumber across the top of the blocks and set your post on them. You do not need adjustable jacks. Cut the posts and fit as tight as possible. Shim with composite shims if necessary. Once the weight of the tank is on the floor nothing will move. Good Luck

[woodnaquanut]

Good pics! Much better than tiny pics!!

The way the joists are notched, right now they are functionally like a 2x4 (or worst). Adding the joist hangers will bring them back to full 2x6 strength. Make sure you put joist hangers on both ends of those joists.

The post looks suspicious. Check the bottom to make sure it's not rotted. Poking with a nail at the base will tell you what you need to know.

How far do the joists span? With the HVAC ducts there it will be difficult to add an additional beam.

[intyme]

Great thank you, the joist are at 16"ish on center. The support seems like it's just water stained. I think it's still in good shape. I thought of adding 2 4x4 posts with a cross member so over time it won't sag. The more I look at it, the easier my task will be. Thanks again for the piece of mind!

[davocean]

W/ just a little vertical support those beams should carry a pretty good load.
I'd grab a couple of the cement piers that have the bracket imbeded(like $8 at any hd)
and I'd do pressure treated 4x4 for vertical support.
Pressure treated anytime we do earth to wood or concrete to wood contact.
In a perfect world piers sit in a bed of concrete, but your soil may be compact enough and you probably can't do that easy.
Some might say this is overkill for that size tank, and it might be from what we can see from here, and while I'm sure that will hold the load mainly we just don't want any sagging down the road.

[intyme]

Some might say this is overkill for that size tank, and it might be from what we can see from here, and while I'm sure that will hold the load mainly we just don't want any sagging down the road.

You're probably right on the overkill thing. But.... I definitely don't want any floor sag over the next 10 years. Maybe by then I'll have a 180 :)

[davocean]

W/ proper vertical supports added I see no reason why not.