Will it hold? Reinforce?

[TChristman]

We are new to basements having just moved to Georgia from Florida. I am setting up a new 225 gallon tank on the first floor abve the basement in the formal living room. Do the floors need to be reinforced from underneath or should I be okay. The last thing I want to do is bust a floor or cause structural damage. If they need to be reinforced.....what is the best method?

i have the option of placing the tank against an outside load berring wall or an interior wall. I prefer the interior wall but I know that it's support is not as strong.

Does anyone else have a 225 (plus sump) on the first floor above basement? Im sure but without any structural changes.

Thanks,

Tim

[Carman34L]

with a 225 you should be fine, but I would have a contractor check to make sure. It is very hard to tell you yes it is fine, because I dont know how old it is, what kind of shape the wood is in, etc... But usually any house newer than 25-30 years the structeral strenght of floors is just fine.

[thor32766]

i would contact a contracter or engineer of some kind. I to am in the process of setting up a 225. With sand, rock, water and sump you are in the 4000 lbs range. Check first

[TChristman]

The house is about 1 year old so it is fairly new.

[Carman34L]

I should hope you will be under 4000lbs.

tank water: 1850
tank & stand: 300
Rock & sand: 300
sump water based on 75 gallons:615
various equip: 200

you should be just over 3000lbs.

Most states require a 2000 lb rating per sq ft on floors. a 225 is generally uses up 24sq ft. 3000lbs / 24 = 125 lbs per sq ft. You should be just fine if the house a year old.

[mr pink floyd]

you could put up a beam, we have 3 in our basement, 2 in the garage, one in the basement part, of course my wimpy 29 isnt that heavy, put tis over the garage with 2 pillars, its made out of some rocky/ cementy thing. looks like sandstome, but tis smooth

[TChristman]

I am sure that someone out there has a large tank over a basement and I would love to hear their success stories or what they have done to prevent disaster.

Thanks,

Tim