Can my floor support a tank?

[B the Nano Reefer]

Just thought I’d solicit some feedback from you all.

New construction townhome, second story. I’d like to to go as big as possible in the 4’ x 2’ space I have for a tank, but, I’d be happy with 40-60 gallons. I assume that’s about 600-800 lbs with all things factored in.

Picture is of the ceiling joists directly below where the tank will sit. Outline is roughly the footprint of the tank. It may be a few inches slightly towards that load bearing joist, or a few inches away from it (difficult to tell exactly), but for the most part, looks like the tank will straddle one floor joist. The picture is from an under construction home. My home is done so alternations to the joists is not really an option. Adding some sort of vertical support pillar is also not an option since the space below the tank is inside a bedroom.

If you were in my shoes, would you be thinking about this as an issue at all given id be OK settling for only a 40-60 gallon tank? Would you have any concerns going bigger?

Not looking for any definitive answer but would love to hear your thoughts before I shell out $$ on a SE.

 

[PizzaOven]

I wouldn't worry about it for a 60-gallon tank. It's only ~600lbs full of rock, sand and water (maybe 700lbs with sump?). I'd personally start to worry around ~120-gallons.

 

[MichaelB]

That joist looks pretty big typically is either 2×8, 2×10, or 2×12. The thicker they are is normally the more weight they could hold. Definitely not possible to guess from the picture. But if they are 2×10 or 2×12 you can have more confidence.

Also +1

a 60 gallon tank I don't think you have much to worry about over all.

 

[B the Nano Reefer]

I wouldn't worry about it for a 60-gallon tank. It's only ~600lbs full of rock, sand and water (maybe 700lbs with sump?). I'd personally start to worry around ~120-gallons.

Thanks. That’s reassuring and consistent with what I generally hear (about worrying 100 gallons +).

Yeah, I think a 60 gallon would be around 700 lbs. Definitely wouldn’t be asking the question if the tank sat perpendicular to the joists. The only thing that gave me pause is that it will run parallel.

 

[Chrism1330]

I had a 75g tank in an apartment unit on the 2nd floor nothing happened

Currently building a 127g on another apartment unit on the 3fl lol

 

[B the Nano Reefer]

I had a 75g tank in an apartment unit on the 2nd floor nothing happened

Currently building a 127g on another apartment unit on the 3fl lol

Thanks! I don’t know that I’m as ambiguous haha

Do you happen to know if your tanks run/ran parallel to the floor joists or perpendicular?

 

[Chrism1330]

From what @Turkeysammich explained to me was that you want it running i think perpendicular from the joists because that way the tank runs opposite of the joist and is supported by multiple joists opposed to one joist is that makes sense

Edit: heres what i mean the red box outline would be the tank so you would want the tank running the other way so its supported by multiple joists opposed to that one joist

 

[MichaelB]

From what @Turkeysammich explained to me was that you want it running i think perpendicular from the joists because that way the tank runs opposite of the joist and is supported by multiple joists opposed to one joist is that makes sense

True for larger tanks, well hey who needs a couch anyway lol folding chairs are always a option.

 

[B the Nano Reefer]

From what @Turkeysammich explained to me was that you want it running i think perpendicular from the joists because that way the tank runs opposite of the joist and is supported by multiple joists opposed to one joist is that makes sense

Edit: heres what i mean the red box outline would be the tank so you would want the tank running the other way so its supported by multiple joists opposed to that one joist

Yeah, unfortunately, running the tank perpendicular to the joists in my case is not an option given the space I have picked for the tank. If I could run perpendicular, I would not be hesitating. My issue is that the tank will run parallel.

I do think (hope) that a home would not be so poorly built that 700 lbs would compromise the floor… that’s like 3-4 people standing in a 4x2 space. But I’m no engineer.

 

[dangalang]

Looks like you have a floor truss instead of a floor joist, which is generally stronger, but for peace of mind, I'd either go with the smaller tank or pay the SE if you want to go bigger.

 

[B the Nano Reefer]

Looks like you have a floor truss instead of a floor joist, which is generally stronger, but for peace of mind, I'd either go with the smaller tank or pay the SE if you want to go bigger.

Couldn’t tell you, but I’ll ask the construction team and see if they have an answer.

Assuming I wanted to max out at the 60 gallons, would you think I’m probably fine? Is that what you mean by smaller tank, or are you suggesting I lean closer to the 40?

 

[dangalang]

Couldn’t tell you, but I’ll ask the construction team and see if they have an answer.

Assuming I wanted to max out at the 60 gallons, would you think I’m probably fine? Is that what you mean by smaller tank, or are you suggesting I lean closer to the 40?

I have two 32 gallon Brutes filled with RODI and salt water next to each other, parallel on one floor truss like your picture and no issues (so far, knock on wood), has been there for about a year and a half.