230 Gallon Reef Build

bassman · #1 04-01-2008, 11:33 PM

I am just starting a new 230 gallon reef. I should be picking up the tank in 2 weeks. I am just working on the stand now.

Say goodbye to the China cabinet (YES!

)

Figuring out the footprint.

Checking the wall for hidden obstacles.

The wife's fears realized! She knows there is no turning back now.

Center support loose fitted. I had to cut out a 2x4 from the wall so I am figuring out the best way to re-direct the load.

There will be another 4x4 inside the wall directly behind the first one, below the 2x6. The 4x4's will not sit side by side in the final assembly, probaby 2 inches apart in order to hit the floor joists properly.

Tom R · #2 04-01-2008, 11:39 PM

It looks like were having fun now.

Keep us up to date on the progress.

Tom R

Der_Iron_Chef · #3 04-01-2008, 11:44 PM

Very nice so far. Looking forward to seeing the progress!

Denis · #4 04-02-2008, 12:37 AM

Hi Bassman,
I was wondering how are you going to support the floor joists from bellow.
I'm assuming (from looking at the first picture) that the FJ run from the window towards the tank (parallel to the tank). And why did you cut into a wall in a first place ? You know this tank will put about 3000 lb in a 12 sq. feet.
I'm also getting new tank (340 gal) soon.

bassman · #5 04-02-2008, 12:51 AM

Yes the joist run the length of the tank.

The reason I cut into the wall is to put some of the load in the exact same spot as the load from the wall. Which happens to be a 6" wide load bearing wall in the basement. One joist sits right on the wall, the next on is only 5" from that one, into the room.
That is why I have another 4x4 inches away from the one in the wall. From there it goes to industry standard, 16" centers. So 9 of my legs will rest directly on joist. The other 3, in the wall, sit right on the bearing wall. So in total I have 12 points, 250 lbs per point, 750 per joist. Which I have minimized even more by placing the legs that rest on the hardwood on 2x4 runners, this will distribute some of the load vertically across the joists as well.

My joist only run 11' between bearing walls and they are 20" tall, very strong.

I have shown my plans to a couple engineers I used to work with and they all agree, I am WAY over building this stand and the load is nothing to be concerned about. Better safe than sorry.

Denis · #6 04-02-2008, 02:36 AM

20" joists ?, wow, I only got 10" and had to double them up (8" on centers now).
My joists also run leghtwise to the tank, I had to build two of these:

Never mind the white one, that's from my current tank (150 gal).
I'm glad you got it figured out, you can never be too safe and there is no such thing as overbuild. I tend to do the same.
I'm looking forward to your reports.
We should I guess ask the mods to move this to the Tank Journal forum.

bassman · #7 04-02-2008, 03:06 AM

Yes I am hoping I calculated everything properly and the engineers know what they are talking about. LOL It should be good to go though. It sure adds a major concern when setting up a tank running with the joist though doesn't it.

I will be creating a measuring device to document any movement in the joists as I fill the tank slowly. I will fill it up a 1/4 of the way, let it sit for a few days, check for movement and repeat until it's full. I will leave the device in place for life so I can always check it when ever I like.

I do have the option of installing telepost on all the joist should I need to. I would be losing the only bedroom in the basement but what can a guy do? LOL

It sure looks like you had to do lots of work, I am very thankful I didn't have to do anything like that, knock on wood. Great job though, looks extremely solid.

I did start a journal today, perhaps this thread should be deleted?

bassman · #8 04-02-2008, 12:22 PM

Here is a rough drawing of how the joists run under the tank.

Here I am marking the exact location of the joists.

I then transferred the lines to the pond liner I am using to protect the hardwood.

I should have most of the framing for the stand done tonight.

bassman · #9 04-02-2008, 12:29 PM

Here are a couple of pics of the 100 gal sump system I setup recently, it's not 100% finsihed yet.

Denis · #10 04-03-2008, 12:23 AM

Hey Bassman, looking good, only thing I wouldn't put the pond liner there, only directly under the wood. If you ever spill any water there it would get trapped under it making it very hard to remove. Also you could skip the 2x4 framed top as most glass tanks only need support on the perimeter.
What brand of tank are you getting ?
I that sump under the tank in the basement ?