I need to have part of my basement floor jack hammered up. Do i need to worry about my tank.

[Miller535]

So I have a bad section of drain/sewer pipe under my basement floor that need jackhammered up and replaced. Problem is my 125 gallon tank is about 15-20 feet away. Do I need to worry about my tank while they jack hammer the floor?

 

[iMi]

I would consult a structural engineer who should be involved anyway. If they can move an entire house from one place to another without it falling apart, you’ll probably be fine just having it rest on what is essentially a temporary support. But this is a situation where “probably“ doesn’t cut it. I’d make some calls.

 

[Saltyreef]

I mean, you should be fine if its on a finished slab.

Just cover the bejesus out of it to negate concrete dust from working its way in.
Like press seal saran wrap lol.

Chop saws make a ******* mess even with the water hooked up.

 

[johnc_ct]

I'm not an engineer, but I would be VERY worried. If the floor is moving, its logical to think your tank will be moving and not necessarily only straight up.

 

[CMMorgan]

So I have a bad section of drain/sewer pipe under my basement floor that need jackhammered up and replaced. Problem is my 125 gallon tank is about 15-20 feet away. Do I need to worry about my tank while they jack hammer the floor?

At a minimum - dust, debris.... yep... that is bad. You will want to build something to box in the whole tank so no dust and such pollutes it but also to keep projectiles from hitting it. Maybe get some thick styrofoam panels and build around the whole thing (tape the seams up well). You can get those in 4 x 8 sheets at HD or Lowe's.
The secondary concern I would have would be vibration. Depending on how much is transferred, all sorts of things could happen. The least of which is freaked out inhabitants. The worst of which is failed joints in pipes or glass.
So sorry that you have to deal with this.... best of luck.

 

[iMi]

I'm not an engineer, but I would be VERY worried. If the floor is moving, its logical to think your tank will be moving and not necessarily only straight up.

This right here. Even a small change, less than a degree, could cause enough stress to cause the tank to fructure and possibly fail entirely. Isn’t worth the risk. Your tank weight is in excess of a thousand pounds.

 

[Patientman]

Had floor of my basement jack hammered about three years ago ... about 20 feet away from the tank, Do have a door with vented slats between the section of the basement so pout plastic over the door to help prevent any dust from migrating through to the tank. I could feel it vibrating ... but only slightly near the tank ... fish did not react too badly ... even settled down after the first 20 minutes (took about an forty) and everything was fine. Looking back, about the only thing I might have also done would be to dim the lights ... not off ... just turn them down. Maybe fool the fish into thinking it's just a bad distant storm!

 

[Ta2oodfreak]

Removing and repair or replacement of the pipe should be centralized to the area of the pipe and maybe 6" either side.
If its not in close proximity I wouldn't worry structure wise. If there is a way to make a room and sealing it off with plastic and venting it to the outside with a fan pushing air out you should be fine.

 

[Ta2oodfreak]

Hopefully they relief cut the slab then blast out the area to be removed rather than a sloppy jack hammered section where the pipe lies.

 

[Miller535]

I'm super nervous. It is probably a good 15 feet away.

 

[Miller535]

Had floor of my basement jack hammered about three years ago ... about 20 feet away from the tank, Do have a door with vented slats between the section of the basement so pout plastic over the door to help prevent any dust from migrating through to the tank. I could feel it vibrating ... but only slightly near the tank ... fish did not react too badly ... even settled down after the first 20 minutes (took about an forty) and everything was fine. Looking back, about the only thing I might have also done would be to dim the lights ... not off ... just turn them down. Maybe fool the fish into thinking it's just a bad distant storm!

This makes me feel a little better

 

[Miller535]

Hopefully they relief cut the slab then blast out the area to be removed rather than a sloppy jack hammered section where the pipe lies.

I'm assuming/hoping that they relief cut it. They know exactly where the bad pipe is. They ran a camera through my lines. And somehow were able to mark the bad section. Which is actually really close to the absent wall.

 

[MadeForThat]

They will almost certainly cut the slab first, then jackhammer^^^ If they didn't there is a distinct possibility of a much larger crack forming, and them having to pay for foundation repair. It saves them money/risk to do it, so they will
Definitely ask and make sure though

 

[Casket_Case]

No experience but hope it goes well!

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

Definitely keep any and all dust away from the tank

 

[Saltyreef]

Yep cut 1st with chop saw cross cuts then hammer the insides out. What a mess

 

[Patientman]

This makes me feel a little better

... and my tank is a 240g glass 70g sump below the tank ,,, so with san, water and rock figure it's close to 3400 lbs ... sending "good vibrations" (pun intended) your way!

 

[Zotch]

Just cover the tank. You should be fine

 

[JCM]

Your tank is in the basement on the same slab their breaking up? And the tank is 15+ feet away from the area that needs repair?

It will have no effect on your tank. Just cover it so dust doesn't get in.