Can I put a 120 gallon upstairs without worrying?

[Zoaelite]

How old is the house? Do you know anything about the structure and where your support beams are at? At 120g I'm almost positive you will be fine, what sort of flooring will it be sitting on?

[fishytime]

and sortta depends on how big of a sump your planning?....you want the tank to span across as many floor joists as possible(look in your mechanical room if your basement is finished)

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by fishytime

....you want the tank to span across as many floor joists as possible(look in your mechanical room if your basement is finished)

^^^

[toxic111]

FYI, current codes require the floor of a residential building to support 40psf live/ and 10-15psf dead load.

In most cases you will be ok with a 120gal on a modern house.

Running the tank accross more joists is always better.

[moppy]

I guess it sounds like it is good to go.

Again though, does anyone know how to tell where the floor joists are???

[riggs]

Here's a thread I found when planning my aquarium. It spells everthing out pretty thouroughly.

http://www.african-cichlid.com/Structure.htm

PS: Even though you can calculate the weight of an aquarium filled with water, don't forget all of the rock you will be putting into it, the stand, the sump, surrounding furniture,... every once in a while people passing by, taking a look...(maybe a few when you're having a party)... Alot more to consider than just the aquarium itself. Irregardless, most homes are built to the above MINIMUM standards. However, if you are planning on an aquarium which exceeds the minimum standards, then please refer to your household insurance for guidance. ;-)

Riggs.

[Madreefer]

Sorry don't know much about home construction. I have a 144G on hardwood over an unfinished basement with no problems. I would think you'll be ok.

[jorjef]

As far as finding the direction of the floor joists in the area you want the tank try this......Go to the closest floor heating/AC register, take the grill/insert out and look to see which direction the duct comes from.......if it either runs left or right that is the direction your floor joists will be running parallel with the wall, if the duct runs back towards the middle of the room the joist will be perpidicular to the wall.
May not be 100% full proof but close.

[lastlight]

jorjef that is genius mang!

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by fishytime

look in your mechanical room if your basement is finished

You don't really want to know WHERE they are rather which direction they go.