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Big Tank Floor Reinforcement?


RavenDay

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Hi All,

 

Just found this forum for local reefers, and as we're in the process of getting our new tank delivered to us, I thought I would get some advice from you.

 

We're setting up a 240 gallon display tank. It's dimensions are 72" X 24" X 32". We'll have a 90 gallon sump in the stand, I'm unsure of the complete diminsions there.

 

My main question is this: for those of you with tanks close to this size, did you reinforce your floor? We're in a two story home built in the early 90s, and I know for a fact the tank will span at least 6 support beams (we've been in our crawl space).

 

We've been planning the tank portion of all of this for over a year, and now I want to make sure we're not going to ruin it by having it fall through the floor ????

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

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Well it won't fall through the floor, but best to prevent any sagging that could happen. I used 4x4 with pyramid blocks across the beams. Just hammered in some shims to snug it all up and called it a day. Haven't noticed any issues with my 210 and 40b sump. It's pretty cheap insurance.

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I described a real simple floor reinforcement in my build thread:

http://www.pnwmas.org/index.php?/topic/36053-180-Gallon-Glass-House

 

It's on the first page. How many cross beams it spans is definitely crucial, but so is the length of those spans and where the tank sits on them.

 

Most setups (mine included) would very likely be totally fine without the reinforcement, but it only costs like 50 bucks and a few hours for total piece of mind.

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First off, to all of you:

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

I really appreciate the advice/ tips/ guidance. I'll be hopping down into my crawl space in the morning to see what's up with everything and to fully decide on what's our next step.

 

Speaking with my husband (who was the one in the crawl space a few months ago) he thinks that our joists have already been "sistered" or reinforced by the previous owners of our home, so I'm gonna go check that out. If not, it looks like we'll be running by a hardware store or getting a general contractor to help us out if we feel overwhelmed.

 

Can't wait for this tank though, we're upgrading from a 56... It's going to be a completely new world. Once the tank and stand arrive I'll make sure to start a build thread, too.

 

Reinforcement updates to come in the morning! Thanks again for all your help.

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Sorry for the delayed update, but we WILL be reinforcing the floor for sure. We have 'I beam supports' going across that area, but I'm not convinced it's enough. 

 

Especially after getting a delivery update telling us out tank/stand/sump shipment combined weighs 1070lbs  :clap:

 

Tank arrives Thursday, so we'll be reinforcing this weekend  :happy:

 

Thanks for all your help!

 

And if you have any additional advice, I'm all ears. 

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Yep like everyone has posted just use some 4x4s and pier blocks..........Not sure where you are at but if you need a hand I can help you out its not rocket science after all ;)

Our crawlspace, while about 4' tall in places, is quite sloped, so I guess we'll be doing some digging to  level everything out, or at least get it level underneath the blocks. We're in Kirkland, WA. If we run into problems and you're close- I might take you up on your offer! Although I'm fairly handy, and should be able to work it out.  :D

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Our crawlspace, while about 4' tall in places, is quite sloped, so I guess we'll be doing some digging to  level everything out, or at least get it level underneath the blocks. We're in Kirkland, WA. If we run into problems and you're close- I might take you up on your offer! Although I'm fairly handy, and should be able to work it out.  :D

 

Nope I am in Vancouver a ways away :laugh:

 

Hopefully you get it taken care of.

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