Do you think my floor will hold.

[Joshua Agostoni]

So im moved into my uncles apartment build its a older house. I plan to put a 75 gallon saltwater tank in it. Up against a wall that I believe to be load barring since on the other side of the wall is outside.

I have about a 21 gallon sump as well with 5 gallon auto top off 60 pounds of sand and 40 pounds of rock. Plus all my pumps and stuff. Just wondering if you guys think its to heavy i figure with the tank, stand, sand, rock, water, sump, auto top off, and the skimmer and pumps and stuff we are looking at just under 800 pounds the tank is 48 inchs long so it should span over 3 floor joists and my stand is not just 4 legs its all around contacting the floor.

Let me know what you guys think.

 

[glb]

So im moved into my uncles apartment build its a older house. I plan to put a 75 gallon saltwater tank in it. Up against a wall that I believe to be load barring since on the other side of the wall is outside.

I have about a 21 gallon sump as well with 5 gallon auto top off 60 pounds of sand and 40 pounds of rock. Plus all my pumps and stuff. Just wondering if you guys think its to heavy i figure with the tank, stand, sand, rock, water, sump, auto top off, and the skimmer and pumps and stuff we are looking at just under 800 pounds the tank is 48 inchs long so it should span over 3 floor joists and my stand is not just 4 legs its all around contacting the floor.

Let me know what you guys think.

What is the floor made of?

 

[Joshua Agostoni]

What is the floor made of?

I'm assuming hardwood or play wood on top of floor joists Idk what type of wood it would be but since it's an older house I would assume it's a hard word.

 

[glb]

I'm assuming hardwood or play wood on top of floor joists Idk what type of wood it would be but since it's an older house I would assume it's a hard word.

Is it on the first floor? If so there would be concret under there too.

 

[fermentedhiker]

Is it on the first floor? Is there a basement or crawlspace underneath it?

 

[Joshua Agostoni]

Is it on the first floor? Is there a basement or crawlspace underneath it?

No it's the second floor there is the first floor underneath then the basement under that but it is going up against a load bearing wall.

 

[fermentedhiker]

It should be fine, but it would be useful to know which way the floor joist are running. Ideally the tank with run across multiple joists instead of being setup up in the same direction as the floor joists.

 

[crusso1993]

I would recommend checking with the owner about it. Many times, in older homes, there are alterations made through the years by owners. Many times, no one will know about these changes until things are taken apart. I am a home remodeler and have seen this happen many times when remodeling homes. A lot of the changes I have come across are often dangerous alterations. Usually they are structural, electrical or plumbing changes and some of the things I've seen would not only never pass code but are, in deed, hazardous.
Anyway, just my .02 but it's always a good idea to check with the landlord.

 

[Joshua Agostoni]

It should be fine, but it would be useful to know which way the floor joist are running. Ideally the tank with run across multiple joists instead of being setup up in the same direction as the floor joists.

I know which way the joists go it will be on lost barring going across 3 joists not running along them.

 

[Joshua Agostoni]

I would recommend checking with the owner about it. Many times, in older homes, there are alterations made through the years by owners. Many times, no one will know about these changes until things are taken apart. I am a home remodeler and have seen this happen many times when remodeling homes. A lot of the changes I have come across are often dangerous alterations. Usually they are structural, electrical or plumbing changes and some of the things I've seen would not only never pass code but are, in deed, hazardous.
Anyway, just my .02 but it's always a good idea to check with the landlord.

Landlord is my uncle. He just said it a old house so we have to be carefull.

 

[davocean]

I would say unless there were any weird serious structural issues or shoddy framing repairs you should be perfectly fine

 

[stacksoner]

Everyone is concerned about this cartoon-like scenario where the tank drops through the floor.

The likely scenario is that it will slightly tilt toward the weakest part of the floor. And this will put uneven pressure on one of the tank's panels, which will cause the nightmare.

 

[fermentedhiker]

I know which way the joists go it will be on lost barring going across 3 joists not running along them.

You should be good then.

 

[Joshua Agostoni]

Everyone is concerned about this cartoon-like scenario where the tank drops through the floor.

The likely scenario is that it will slightly tilt toward the weakest part of the floor. And this will put uneven pressure on one of the tank's panels, which will cause the nightmare.

so to counter thatg ill toss checking if its staying level with my weekly routine

 

[MarineGP]

It will be important to assure stand is level prior to filling in both back to front and side to side. When filling it ...fill it 1/4 then recheck level .... etc etc etc.

Any change ... Stop !!!

Also good idea to assess what is directly below the tank on the first wall ... Would never hurt to brace under it if possible.

Good idea to double check insurance coverage .....

 

[Joshua Agostoni]

It will be important to assure stand is level prior to filling in both back to front and side to side. When filling it ...fill it 1/4 then recheck level .... etc etc etc.

Any change ... Stop !!!

Also good idea to assess what is directly below the tank on the first wall ... Would never hurt to brace under it if possible.

Good idea to double check insurance coverage .....

I have renters insurance so we are good on that. And underneath where the tank going is another apartment and the tenants told me there is only a desk underneath but I cant put a beam in there

 

[Todvod]

I agree. You are good to go.

 

[stacksoner]

Pro tip from a guy who has flooded his apt multiple times: buy the best shop vac you can afford. Sooner or later you'll spill water on your floor by the tank. The shop vac will help save your floors from swelling/buckling/rotting. Also, if you can get your hands on a dehumidifier, they do a great job of taking out moisture from the floors that the shop vac cant get to.

 

[Joshua Agostoni]

Pro tip from a guy who has flooded his apt multiple times: buy the best shop vac you can afford. Sooner or later you'll spill water on your floor by the tank. The shop vac will help save your floors from swelling/buckling/rotting. Also, if you can get your hands on a dehumidifier, they do a great job of taking out moisture from the floors that the shop vac cant get to.

Great tips man I was honestly thinking of pulling up the carpet and putting plastic down in a wide area so it does touch the floors.

 

[lbacha]

Pro tip from a guy who has flooded his apt multiple times: buy the best shop vac you can afford. Sooner or later you'll spill water on your floor by the tank. The shop vac will help save your floors from swelling/buckling/rotting. Also, if you can get your hands on a dehumidifier, they do a great job of taking out moisture from the floors that the shop vac cant get to.

+1 and lots of extra towels, I have a whole closet full of aquarium towels that get used more than I would like