Structural engineer

[vanreefer]

Any structural engineers here that are willing to offer an opinion on a live load (reef tank) in a new house? I have the plans...
Cheers VR

[Myka]

Big one?

[sphelps]

Well first off it wouldn't be considered a live load, but in any case how big is the tank? Also take what's said here lightly, an engineer is only as good as the accountability he or she offers which on a forum like this is zero.

[kamloops_reefer]

Call Louise at Roos engineering - she is located in Morgan Crossing.

[vanreefer]

Tank is a 4' x 3' 180 gal on a main floor above a basement all in about 1900lbs... would be on 3 parallel joists that span 8' between a engineered beam and a tripled 2 x 10 beam. the tank will be sitting 8" away from the wall which is a form wall.
Cheers
VR

[sphelps]

Oh yeah no worries, a 4 ft tank on 3 joists which only span 8'. Sounds like lots to me so I wouldn't sweat it. I've setup and seen bigger tanks on less.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by vanreefer

Tank is a 4' x 3' 180 gal on a main floor above a basement all in about 1900lbs... would be on 3 parallel joists that span 8' between a engineered beam and a tripled 2 x 10 beam. the tank will be sitting 8" away from the wall which is a form wall.
Cheers
VR

That's not even close to pushing the boundaries for a new house. Your tank has a huge footprint for its volume.

[mike31154]

The interweb tells me a standard bathtub holds about 60 gals. Ergo, your 180 gallon is comparable to 3 standard tubs stacked on top of each other. Slightly different footprint, yes, but something to consider as a reference.

[WarDog]

Invite 10 of your buddies over for beer and wings, stand them all in the spot where the tank is going while bouncing up and down. Pretty simple.