Is my floor bracing sufficient?

Maggie321 · 01/21/2018, 12:12 PM

I am prepping to install a 200 gallon tank in my living room above this brace. I am looking for opinions on how I can make this better. This is my first big salt tank that will need bracing. Thank you all on advance for your opinions.

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VoltzNSalt · 01/21/2018, 12:35 PM

Will that brace run right down the center and entire length of your stand/aquarium? How are the columns/pillars anchored into the floor?

mcgyvr · 01/21/2018, 02:14 PM

Totally fine as is... no additional work needed..

scott11106 · 01/21/2018, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Totally fine as is... no additional work needed..

I would think it would be fine but for a small amount of money you may want to have someone do the math and inspect ... it would really be bad to miss something and a a failure.

Just my 2 cents

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Maggie321 · 01/21/2018, 06:47 PM

Ok. I switched out the 4x4 with 3, 2x8 sandwiched and anchored together. Had to return the floor jacks and get the next size down. The floor jacks are attached to the floor with 3/8 x 2-1/4 concrete anchors drilled into the floor. I will post a pic as soon as I have the beam up.

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Maggie321 · 01/21/2018, 07:45 PM

Still have to put the big lag bolts through the screw Jack into the beam. But I'm happier with this. I will still have a structural engineer come look at it before I fill the thank... maybe

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salty joe · 01/21/2018, 07:52 PM

Assuming the brace is directly below the tank, you don't need to have anyone look at it. It's overkill for a 200.

Maggie321 · 01/21/2018, 08:01 PM

Perfect I like overkill... this is my protein skimmer. I may need room to grow..

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scott11106 · 01/21/2018, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggie321

Perfect I like overkill... this is my protein skimmer. I may need room to grow..

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That looks pretty secure with the added support, now with all that support you can get a bigger tank ...lol

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billdogg · 01/22/2018, 07:40 AM

I'm with the "that's way more than enough" crowd. IMHO, the only thing you might have done differently is to use a couple strips of 3/4" plywood between the 2x8's to stiffen then that little bit more, but as is, it will more than handle a 200.

oldhead · 01/22/2018, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggie321

Still have to put the big lag bolts through the screw Jack into the beam. But I'm happier with this. I will still have a structural engineer come look at it before I fill the thank... maybe

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Much better than the 4x4

mcgyvr · 01/22/2018, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldhead

Much better than the 4x4

yeah and now you can put 4 x 200G tanks there and more..

overkill..

Expect a few hundred at least for an Engineer to state the same too..

jewlz · 01/22/2018, 11:13 AM

I'm about to fill my 500gal tank but I thought I'd check with the forums. Do you think that my additional support is sufficient?

mcgyvr · 01/22/2018, 11:18 AM

Is that a butterfly suitcase? Thats sweeeet!!!
Gotta be easy to find that at the baggage claim..

But as far as your support.. I'm "stumped" as to the answer on that one..

Maggie321 · 01/22/2018, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jewlz

I'm about to fill my 500gal tank but I thought I'd check with the forums. Do you think that my additional support is sufficient?

This...so much this. Thank you!

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Hydrus · 01/22/2018, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jewlz

I'm about to fill my 500gal tank but I thought I'd check with the forums. Do you think that my additional support is sufficient?

Lmfao...it's perfect!

oldhead · 01/23/2018, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jewlz

I'm about to fill my 500gal tank but I thought I'd check with the forums. Do you think that my additional support is sufficient?

Tree is too small and you need to use oak.

ca1ore · 01/23/2018, 01:06 PM

I'm all for erring on the side of caution ..... you got loads of caution

jewlz · 01/25/2018, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Is that a butterfly suitcase? Thats sweeeet!!!
Gotta be easy to find that at the baggage claim..

But as far as your support.. I'm "stumped" as to the answer on that one..

I love that you spotted that suitcase.

I'm going to go on out on a limb and say that this was a shady construction method.

Desert Sea · 01/25/2018, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggie321

Still have to put the big lag bolts through the screw Jack into the beam. But I'm happier with this. I will still have a structural engineer come look at it before I fill the thank... maybe

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That looks to be pressure treated 2x8’s that you sistered together. If so, be sure you use galvanized or stainless fasteners or fasteners rated for AQC lumber. The preservatives used in the lumber are very corrosive to plain steel and will rot a regular steel bolt in short order. You will get corrosion where your posts touch the lumber as well. You can prevent it by using a barrier between the wood and post tops like a piece of tar paper, ice and water shield or asphaltic paint.

You also may want to adjust your posts after the moisture level in the lumber comes down as they will shrink as they dry out.

Maggie321 · 01/25/2018, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert Sea

That looks to be pressure treated 2x8’s that you sistered together. If so, be sure you use galvanized or stainless fasteners or fasteners rated for AQC lumber. The preservatives used in the lumber are very corrosive to plain steel and will rot a regular steel bolt in short order. You will get corrosion where your posts touch the lumber as well. You can prevent it by using a barrier between the wood and post tops like a piece of tar paper, ice and water shield or asphaltic paint.

You also may want to adjust your posts after the moisture level in the lumber comes down as they will shrink as they dry out.

The screws are coated timberlocks that are holding the 3 boards together. And the lags that went up into the wood are galvanized. I did not put anything between the post and the wood. But there was a (crappy) coat of paint on it. I will watch it. We will keep the screw jacks tight too and watch for shrinkage. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!

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tkeracer619 · 01/25/2018, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jewlz

I'm about to fill my 500gal tank but I thought I'd check with the forums. Do you think that my additional support is sufficient?

The electrical in the background though

Dsekula · 01/25/2018, 11:27 PM

The math.... Water weighs 8.34 lb per gallon 200 × 8.34 then check the load bearing capacity on the house Jack's if each one can take 834 lbs you should be fine with the Jack's. Make sure what's under them can also carry the transfered load though. If you put Jack's on a failing surface they will still fail.

JUNBUG361 · 01/25/2018, 11:46 PM

Talking about support in a decent way or ghetto way

fishresponse · 01/29/2018, 11:48 PM

Agree with Dsekula. Do you know how thick your cement foundation is?

01/21/2018, 12:12 PM	#1
Maggie321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 187	Is my floor bracing sufficient? I am prepping to install a 200 gallon tank in my living room above this brace. I am looking for opinions on how I can make this better. This is my first big salt tank that will need bracing. Thank you all on advance for your opinions. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

01/21/2018, 02:14 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Totally fine as is... no additional work needed.. __________________ Who me?

01/21/2018, 07:52 PM	#7
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	Assuming the brace is directly below the tank, you don't need to have anyone look at it. It's overkill for a 200. __________________ Time to roll the dice.

01/22/2018, 07:40 AM	#10
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I'm with the "that's way more than enough" crowd. IMHO, the only thing you might have done differently is to use a couple strips of 3/4" plywood between the 2x8's to stiffen then that little bit more, but as is, it will more than handle a 200. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

01/22/2018, 11:18 AM	#14
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Is that a butterfly suitcase? Thats sweeeet!!! Gotta be easy to find that at the baggage claim.. But as far as your support.. I'm "stumped" as to the answer on that one.. __________________ Who me?

01/21/2018, 12:35 PM	#2
VoltzNSalt In Memoriam Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Higher than the Mile High City Posts: 137	Will that brace run right down the center and entire length of your stand/aquarium? How are the columns/pillars anchored into the floor?

01/21/2018, 06:47 PM	#5
Maggie321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 187	Ok. I switched out the 4x4 with 3, 2x8 sandwiched and anchored together. Had to return the floor jacks and get the next size down. The floor jacks are attached to the floor with 3/8 x 2-1/4 concrete anchors drilled into the floor. I will post a pic as soon as I have the beam up. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

01/21/2018, 07:45 PM	#6
Maggie321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 187	Still have to put the big lag bolts through the screw Jack into the beam. But I'm happier with this. I will still have a structural engineer come look at it before I fill the thank... maybe Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

01/21/2018, 08:01 PM	#8
Maggie321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 187	Perfect I like overkill... this is my protein skimmer. I may need room to grow.. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

01/23/2018, 01:06 PM	#18
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I'm all for erring on the side of caution ..... you got loads of caution __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

01/25/2018, 11:27 PM	#23
Dsekula Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sterling Posts: 271	The math.... Water weighs 8.34 lb per gallon 200 × 8.34 then check the load bearing capacity on the house Jack's if each one can take 834 lbs you should be fine with the Jack's. Make sure what's under them can also carry the transfered load though. If you put Jack's on a failing surface they will still fail.

01/25/2018, 11:46 PM	#24
JUNBUG361 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Antioch,CALIFORNIA Posts: 1,091	Talking about support in a decent way or ghetto way

01/29/2018, 11:48 PM	#25
fishresponse Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 644	Agree with Dsekula. Do you know how thick your cement foundation is? __________________ –Andy 265g w/ 20" synergy overflow box Hamilton Cebu MH/T5 fixture w/ 250w Radium bulbs SPS/LPS mix \| 30g (long) refugium with cheato \| 40g sump