SharkLover
T5 LPS
Looking for input. I thought this was a bad idea. I placed numbers, 1 and 2 at locations where a 120 could possibly sit. Please reply with your questions, concerns, comments.
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Tank weight and location questions
- Thread starter SharkLover
- Start date
8.5 is a good number to use.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_does_one_gallon_of_salt_water_weigh
If the bearing wall runs where 2 is, that is where I would go. Practically, put the tank where you will put your eyeballs on it most.....nothing worse than a tank you don't spend enough time looking at.
emabie
Non-member
Is this a basement room or 1st floor? Can you see what direction the joists run? typically you can bear the most weight putting the tank across multiple joists and on either an exterior wall or a load bearing wall. To find the load bearing wall try looking in the basement and see where the joists meet and are supported by a cross beam.
A guess would be that number 2 is a load bearing wall and structurally would be a good spot.
All that said I have my 180g mounted paralell to the joists, but at a load bearing wall and I have no issues.
A guess would be that number 2 is a load bearing wall and structurally would be a good spot.
All that said I have my 180g mounted paralell to the joists, but at a load bearing wall and I have no issues.
OP
OP
SharkLover
T5 LPS
it's on the 2nd floor. I haven't used a stud finder to find the joists.
My 120 is on my first floor. I added an extra beam in the basement directly under the floor where the tank is. It runs perpendicular to the floor joists, with two extra lally columns that support it. My floor could certainly support the tank on its own but I did it for piece of mind. It's my own house and I want to prevent the floor from sagging over time. Is this tank going to be in your own home or are you renting; and for how long will you be there. If its temporary; might be OK.
If it was my own home I don't think I would put my 120 setup on the second floor long term. My home made stand is pretty heavy. Then factoring the weight of the DT and 50g sump tank empty, plus filled, accessories, etc...pretty heavy. I'm not a contractor so I can't say for sure about your specific location.
If it was my own home I don't think I would put my 120 setup on the second floor long term. My home made stand is pretty heavy. Then factoring the weight of the DT and 50g sump tank empty, plus filled, accessories, etc...pretty heavy. I'm not a contractor so I can't say for sure about your specific location.
OP
OP
SharkLover
T5 LPS
There is a small hall area near the position 2 where everything sump related will go so that extra 500 lbs less than whats expected. However, i'm still not satisifed with this plan yet since i'm renting. I have to find out when the house was built. and yes, i'm renting so another reason i'm against it for now.
Without seeing exact dimensions I would bet on number two as well. Go against the floor joists. 120 isn't too bad but support underneath for the long term would be a good piece of mind as someone mentioned. As far as weight goes some say to estimate 10 lbs per gallon just b/c of the aquarium itself and its insides plus the math is easier lol. Serious though its better safe than sorry. A 120 isn't that big of an aquarium but you've got basically half a ton easy in a 4x2' area.
tigerslacrosse4
Reef Addict
well i wouldnt just go and take a shot in the dark and put it on 2 bc ppl r saying to even though most of these people are probably right i would take a stud finder and check the floors and even better see if you can find the blueprints to your house because the last thing you need is to place that tank wrong and have it go crashing through the floor and down into whatever room is below it
Regardless of the direction the joists are going a 120 isn't going to just crash through it (floor) unless something was seriously wrong with the construction and or it was damaged previous to installing the aquarium. Besides that in the long run the simple answer is to find out which way the joists are going. Most likely from left to right in option #2.
