Help me make my bracing better

[Maggie321]

Looking for opinions on making this better. I am putting a 200 gallon above it. The sump will be in the basement on the shelving you can kinda see in the pic. So the weight of the tank with water and stand is basically what's going up there. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Matthew Frost]

Maggie, my advice to you would be seek the help of a registered engineer. It might cost you a few bucks but it would be worth it. Most floors are not designed to carry a 2000 lb live load and putting that much weight on the floor including what is already on the floor might cause problems you haven't even thought about.

 

[jsker]

I would suggest screwing 3 x 2 x 8 how everlong with temberlocks and the use the 2x8 instead of a 4x4 for better support.

 

[GoVols]

Welp,

@jsker
Does know construction :D

 

[Maggie321]

I know of a company that gives free estimates, so I will likely have them come give me an estimate. Hopefully they tell me just to switch the 4x4 to a 2x8 or 2 of them. I appreciate the feed back.

 

[don_chuwish]

Doubled 2x8 beam is better even than 4x6 solid. But yeah if you can get a free professional estimate the actual implementation shouldn’t be all that expensive.

 

[Hella_Reef]

I agree with what’s written above, and I myself wouldn’t go more than 4’ spread on the jack supports.

 

[Maggie321]

Ok. This is what I am going with. Had some input from other external sources and they insist I can put 4x what I have planned up there. I am content with this, and I will be able to sleep at night. Thanks all. Btw, the screw jacks are anchored to the floor with concrete anchors so they aren't going anywhere.