Support for a 230G

[phreezee]

The tank is going to be 76x30x24, sump is 60x20x20, steel stand.

It will sit perpendicular to the joists, and in front of the main beam with a telepost under it.

|--------| |
|--------| |
|--------| |
|<-2ft-> | |telepost
|--------| |
|--------| |
|--------| |
|--------| |
frt---back main beam

Here's a picture of upstairs, the main beam is directly under the divider wall, and a telepost near the middle of that wall.



The question is, do I need some 2x10's and a telepost under the front of the tank? My calculations of the tank and sump with water is about 2760lbs (8.35lbs/gallon) before rock! I'm scared

[Psyire]

Do you know how many joists it crosses?

[phreezee]

About 4 joists.
Here's an old picture of the basement.

There's 3 teleposts on that main beam that the tank sits infront of.

[kari]

By looking at the photo of the steel stand it appears all the load is transfered down to 4 point loads (the metal stand legs) on the floor surface. The odds of that lining up directly over floor joists is slim. I think some kind of support should be provided at these locations to distribute the load more.

Large tanks on a wood framed floor seem to always create considerable deflection in the floor. Consider the tank full and someone walking across the middle of the room. Kind of like the diving board effect. I've watched the water in the tank create a nice wave in a 72gal tank sitting near a wall on a wood framed floor. No party's unless you crack out the motion sickness pills.

On the other hand, another telepost in the middle of nowhere below sure makes for wasted space. There is a lot of other factors that add to the puzzle such as floor joist spacing, joist type, span etc.

[fishmanty]

I would get those 4 corners of that stand cut off, so it has a solid base, and the put a piece of stained sealed plywood (3/4"), under neath the stand (To protect against water damage to the carpet and to stop rust.

[phreezee]

That's not the stand I'm using, I'm actually selling it as it's too narrow. The new steel stand I'm having made will have no legs, and I'll put plywood under as you said to prevent rust stains.

[fishmanty]

Its a must I had quite a bit of rust when I sold off my 150gallon a year ago, luckily I had put the wood under the stand aswell. Expecially if your using a sump in the stand, as mosture will build up quickly. And if your messy like me and spill water often, then its a miracle worker! :P

[adidas]

I think that is enough support. The main thing is having it perpendicular to the joists, plus having the beam and teleposts so close. When u get the tank, fill er up and use a level to see if the floor starts to drop a little?

those are my thoughts anyhow.

[phreezee]

I gave into fear and bought 2 teleposts and 2 2x10's. I'm going to double the number of joists under the tank.

[TheReefGeek]

Better safe than sorry!

Enjoy the new tank!