just a FYI thread on my upcoming upgrade/downgrade.

[LostMind]

scan the floorplans and let us make suggestions :P

[props]

as stated from previous reply best is to get a 1/8" drill bit drill on some hidden area in the main floor ie. closet and stick in a coat hanger see how far it'll go down till it hits the basement ceiling
we do somewhat the same thing when fishing cables

[smokinreefer]

oh yeah, for sure i will check it out when i move in.
but now i am pretty sure they are 2x10"s.

even so, i would really like a 225 or 270, with a 135 sump.
so floor upgrades would still be necessary.

any ideas as to what i would need to reinforce this properly?
add 2x10"s to each side of each existing joist that the tank will be on?

well i would definitely have an engineer come by and tell me if it is plausible, if i decide to go with the upgrade.

if i cant go big, then i will go small. <100gallons.

and then who knows what the future holds, maybe in the future i will set up an inwall in the basement, or put an addition on the house, or even just build a new house!

[LostMind]

one can dream shao!

you may need to put jacks below the tank to support 200g +

I would just so I could sleep

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by smokinreefer

but now i am pretty sure they are 2x10"s.

how old is the house? older houses used true dimensional lumber instead of what we have now.. a old 2X10 was made from first growth lumber and measured 2X10, a new 2X10 is from 2nd 3rd growth and only measures 1 and 5/8th X 9 and 5/8th.

So older floors are stronger than new floors.. your best bet is to go see an architect and tell him exactly what you want to do and ask him what would need to be done for you to do it.

Steve

[smokinreefer]

steve, the house is 40 yrs old.
yeah, i read that too about the true dimensions of lumber back in the day.
i will definitley confirm this before i go ahead with anything.

so would i want to consult with an architech or an engineer?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by smokinreefer

steve, the house is 40 yrs old.
yeah, i read that too about the true dimensions of lumber back in the day.
i will definitley confirm this before i go ahead with anything.

so would i want to consult with an architech or an engineer?

usaly a archatect knows the loads and suce as he designs the house and specifies the material and sizing.

Steve

[ldzielak]

Shao,

Do you have a garage? Maybe just move the tank into the garage, then when you have more time you can build the bigger system and upgrade the floor if required.

That is what I just did last weekend, but now I like the look of a fish room in the garage. But the house needs some tanks. Trick is how to plumb all into the garage to use one sump, skimmer and chiller.

Lee

[smokinreefer]

heh. we are talkin old school here.
only got a carport.

it would be nice to enclose the patio and turn it into a fishroom.
got any money i can borrow?

its just not in my budget at the moment.

[smokinreefer]

well no final decisions until i move in and can see where i can put things and if the floor can support it...

but ive decided, i'll either go big, 225-270 or go with 2 3'ish tanks. 1 bare bottom high flow sps and 1 lagoonal clam dominated.