Should I be concerned about the weight?

[yetti]

Okay, I'm getting ready to upgrade my 55g to a 120g and I am really curious if I should be concerned about the weight of the system. This will be going on the top level of a split foyer where I had the 55g. What do you guys think? I'll have the 120g, stand, 20g sump, 10g fuge and the equipment. Of course quite a bit of LR as well.

This tank is only 48" wide and I'm planning on setting it up catty-corner(sp?) so it will actually touch 2 outside walls.

[Hens4Fish]

I am no expert, but have consulted some building guys and they said as long as it is on an outside wall, it will get the reimfocement it needs from the wall. I have a 150 with 2 30 gal. fuges in the center of my room and never had problems. But if you are concened, pay a contractor to survey the house and give you a weight limit.

[jdieck]

I think a 120 will be OK but just in case check if the hoist are running parallel or perpendicular to the tank. If perpendicular you shall have no issues as most of the weight will be distributed troughout several beams but if parallel then I would suggest to consult with a civil or construction engineer.

This might help you calculate the weight of the content on the main tank.
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/volcalc.html

[ambaratur]

Here is a great article on placing large tanks on wooden floors:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/aquarium_weight.php

[jolson10450]

all depending on how old your house is how many trusses per foot and has there ever been any damage to that part of the house say your tank leaked causing some of the boards to rot underneith.. but i would say being in construction for 5 years now that you should have no problem it all depends on the age and trusses per foot and the floor lvl and if there is any rot away... i think you should do great... also another helper... dont get a stand looking like this |---| get one that covers the whole floor all the way across and not just peg legs.... if the floor has become rotted in any way from termites or just water damage those legs will sink right through and bust through the floor casuing a huge rush of weight being put everywhere form it smashing and may even have your whole system go through the floor... so yea go for a stand that covers the whole floor at least around the parimeters.

-Justin

[yetti]

Okay, thanks.....what worries me and I should've added it in my original post is that the joists for the floor are 24" apart. So that gives me the 3 following options. Will any of these work?

Option 1 (http://www.thefragfinder.com/option1.mht)

Option 2 (http://www.thefragfinder.com/option2.mht)

Option 3 (http://www.thefragfinder.com/option3.mht)

Thanks...

[yetti]

BTW....I have a standard stand that is continuous and I doubt very seriously there is any rot. House is 10 years old.

[TomDe]

I would think 2 and 3 are better becuase they sit on 2 boards no? But then I know nothing about construction. I am glad you brought this up because I am thinking of a 125 and I am on the 6th floor of a condo building.

[jdieck]

Otion 2 will be the strongest because in addition to the hoist you have the support of the under wall frame.

[ambaratur]

I would throw my hat in for option 2 as well - that gives you the best support of all.

[yetti]

Do you think 3 would work? That is really what we wanted to do but I'm worried about it not being right up against the wall for support???????

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8248457#post8248457 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yetti
Do you think 3 would work? That is really what we wanted to do but I'm worried about it not being right up against the wall for support???????

No problem leaving space between the wall and the tank