Reinforcing Floor

[Bugsy_Barboza]

So I have a crawl space, have a 75gal with 30 gal sump currently. Planning on add a display fuge beside the tank. I bought my house brand new and talked to the builders because at that time had a 125. And wanted their opinion on where I could put it and would it hurt anything over time and such. Well even tho they said I'd be fine I still would like to use some jacks and 4 x 4 just for my own peace of mind. So my ? is what would I put under the jack stand so they have a solid surface. I know concrete but wondering if there is any other options? Maybe the thickest piece of plywood lowes has?

 

[steve&mari]

If it's going against dirt I'd think using a treated say 2"x8" under Jack would work.

 

[iReef86]

Under the jack, go get 2-3 solid bricks. That was easy! :)

 

[Bugsy_Barboza]

Yeah just didn't know if they ever sunk down. But under a house stays dry. Id like one day to up grade to a 180 so prolly will just go ahead and reinforce the floor.

 

[iReef86]

Get the flat 2" thick bricks that are like 8"x11". They wont go anywhere. I have reinforced the floor on many houses for tanks. The biggest being a 415g. In my personal residence, I have a 250g DD.

 

[steve&mari]

Keep a eye on the jacks they may very well settle some but little adjustments should take care of any settling of dirt.

 

[Windy]

Get off the bricks for support. Why waste the jack if the support is crap? They make and sell precast post supports at almost every home building center. They have a pyramidal shape and a recess at the top for a 4 x 4 post or jack base. Wood against the ground invite termites. Treated wood is better, but it will not provide solid support.

 

[davocean]

I agree, the concrete pillars are best, they have straps, cut pressure treated 4x4's just snug and bump them in, nail them to straps, toenail them to joists or beams above.
If you are going to do anything do it right, you don't want to crawl under there again, and if you think you want a bigger tank later you may need it.

 

[Bbaz123456]

I would not bother crawling into my crawlspace to do anything if I was going to put jacks on bricks.
Whatever you use, make sure to scrape away any loose dirt and get down to solid virgin ground