structural support

Lissa1987 · 02/09/2018, 11:55 AM

I had planned on getting a 265 gallon tank to go in our library. Went through all the research steps (except the most obvious-can the floor support the tank -duh-) and even build my own stand because the manufactured ones looked flimsy and plain. Then I had the brilliant ah-ha moment that although the tank would be on the "First floor in the house" its actually the second story because the garage is underneath the entire house. The construction is block on block the entire 3 stories but to raise the flood elevation (Live on the bay) the builder started the living floors on the second story. Im trying to find out if that much weight is a possibility without having to pay a structural engineer 400 dollars just to come out and look at it just to be told yes or no. The tank would be situated flush against an exterior wall with another exterior wall forming a corner about 2-3 feet away. The ceiling is finished in the garage but I can see that there is a horizontal been running perpendicular and attaching to the exterior wall about 2-3 feet away on the other side. I'm attaching pictures in case my explanation makes no sense. lol
So any ideas if it is worth paying the engineer to come out? My boyfriend is worried about making any "structural changes" to the house so if its a no-go my future beautiful predator tank will cease to exist. tank.jpg

IMG_0143.jpg

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billdogg · 02/09/2018, 03:00 PM

It's *probably* ok, but I'm not an engineer trained in that sort of stuff so take that for what it's worth. Any idea what the floor joists are, and their spacing? And are you positive that they will be running perpendicular to the tank? Is it possible to put a floor jack underneath? I understand that it is finished, but drywall cuts away easily and can be repaired just as easily in the future.

I tend to be overly cautious about these things - if it were mine I'd figure out a way to reinforce it "justincase".

Considering the investment you will be making in the tank and livestock it just might be worthwhile to have somebody who actually does know about these things take a look.

hth

lapin · 02/09/2018, 03:54 PM

If you know who the architect is you can call and ask. He designed the plans with a cad program and should have some structural figures for general load bearing floors.

on the spot · 02/09/2018, 06:35 PM

The "support" beam would suggest your tank would be sitting parallel to the floor joists.

For 400 dollars I'd cut a hole in the ceiling, add LVL or steel, and re-do the drywall.

Call it a bonding/learning about our house adventure.

AiKkz · 02/10/2018, 05:48 PM

If you got the money its always best to get an engineer to take a look. if not the tank should sit Perpendicular to the trusses, make sure the right and left side on on top of the trusses and not in between if possible. Also move the tank over to sit on the support beam if possible.

Redllama1 · 02/11/2018, 12:20 AM

I’m a licensed architect- depending on the age of the house, the original builder may have plans.

Looking at the pictures, the beam and wall most likely have joists running perpendicular to them, and most probably 16” on center.. if you place the tank as shown, you will be running the parallel to the joists. You don’t want to do that. The best place for your tank is over the steel beam, or no too far from the beam, running parallel with the beam. You can also do a simple deflection test- get a thumb tack, and tie a string around it, hang it from the ceiling in the basement, and cut it off 1” above the floor. Start putting water in your tank, and watch the string. If it moves more than 1/16” you are going to have joist deflection issues.

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JUNBUG361 · 02/11/2018, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redllama1

I’m a licensed architect- depending on the age of the house, the original builder may have plans.

Looking at the pictures, the beam and wall most likely have joists running perpendicular to them, and most probably 16” on center.. if you place the tank as shown, you will be running the parallel to the joists. You don’t want to do that. The best place for your tank is over the steel beam, or no too far from the beam, running parallel with the beam. You can also do a simple deflection test- get a thumb tack, and tie a string around it, hang it from the ceiling in the basement, and cut it off 1” above the floor. Start putting water in your tank, and watch the string. If it moves more than 1/16” you are going to have joist deflection issues.

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Very Informative

02/09/2018, 11:55 AM	#1
Lissa1987 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 10	structural support I had planned on getting a 265 gallon tank to go in our library. Went through all the research steps (except the most obvious-can the floor support the tank -duh-) and even build my own stand because the manufactured ones looked flimsy and plain. Then I had the brilliant ah-ha moment that although the tank would be on the "First floor in the house" its actually the second story because the garage is underneath the entire house. The construction is block on block the entire 3 stories but to raise the flood elevation (Live on the bay) the builder started the living floors on the second story. Im trying to find out if that much weight is a possibility without having to pay a structural engineer 400 dollars just to come out and look at it just to be told yes or no. The tank would be situated flush against an exterior wall with another exterior wall forming a corner about 2-3 feet away. The ceiling is finished in the garage but I can see that there is a horizontal been running perpendicular and attaching to the exterior wall about 2-3 feet away on the other side. I'm attaching pictures in case my explanation makes no sense. lol So any ideas if it is worth paying the engineer to come out? My boyfriend is worried about making any "structural changes" to the house so if its a no-go my future beautiful predator tank will cease to exist. tank.jpg IMG_0143.jpg IMG_0144.jpg

02/09/2018, 03:00 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	It's probably ok, but I'm not an engineer trained in that sort of stuff so take that for what it's worth. Any idea what the floor joists are, and their spacing? And are you positive that they will be running perpendicular to the tank? Is it possible to put a floor jack underneath? I understand that it is finished, but drywall cuts away easily and can be repaired just as easily in the future. I tend to be overly cautious about these things - if it were mine I'd figure out a way to reinforce it "justincase". Considering the investment you will be making in the tank and livestock it just might be worthwhile to have somebody who actually does know about these things take a look. hth __________________ 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

02/09/2018, 03:54 PM	#3
lapin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 801	If you know who the architect is you can call and ask. He designed the plans with a cad program and should have some structural figures for general load bearing floors.

02/09/2018, 06:35 PM	#4
on the spot Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,010	The "support" beam would suggest your tank would be sitting parallel to the floor joists. For 400 dollars I'd cut a hole in the ceiling, add LVL or steel, and re-do the drywall. Call it a bonding/learning about our house adventure.

02/10/2018, 05:48 PM	#5
AiKkz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 17	If you got the money its always best to get an engineer to take a look. if not the tank should sit Perpendicular to the trusses, make sure the right and left side on on top of the trusses and not in between if possible. Also move the tank over to sit on the support beam if possible.

02/11/2018, 12:20 AM	#6
Redllama1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 23	I’m a licensed architect- depending on the age of the house, the original builder may have plans. Looking at the pictures, the beam and wall most likely have joists running perpendicular to them, and most probably 16” on center.. if you place the tank as shown, you will be running the parallel to the joists. You don’t want to do that. The best place for your tank is over the steel beam, or no too far from the beam, running parallel with the beam. You can also do a simple deflection test- get a thumb tack, and tie a string around it, hang it from the ceiling in the basement, and cut it off 1” above the floor. Start putting water in your tank, and watch the string. If it moves more than 1/16” you are going to have joist deflection issues. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk