'Nother Newbie Trying to Decide

[Guest mikesroth]

Ok, the bigger tank bug has bitten me, and I am thinking of setting one up.  Just trying to decide what a good tank size would be.  

 

We live in a 3 story townhouse with the middle floor being the '1st floor'.  Since my basement isn't finished yet, and I'd like a tank on the main living floor, this is where I want to place the tank.  I know that weight becomes a concern, and I'd really hate to gain a new entrance way to the basement, although it would give a great 'Overhead' view of the tank.

 

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks,

 

Michael

[ErikS]

Well, you didn't mention the size.....anything up to 100 gal should be okay on a "normal" floor. One factor would be the direction of the tank in relation to the joists. If the tank is perpendicular then you can get away with a bigger tank, parallel & you might have some concerns. Another factor would be the age of the townhouse, if it's modern w/ a modern structure underneath it's going to be able to handle a much larger load.

 

On the plus side you said the basement wasn't finished - easy to beef up the structure if need be.

[Guest mikesroth]

Well there are 2 spots I have been thinking of putting the tank.  One is next to our staircases, there is a spot there that a tank would fit.  The tank would be sitting about midway on a joist (sp?), but it would be parallel to it.  The other spot is in the kitchen against our back wall and that would be across several joists (perpendicular).

 

Our house is relatively new, it is about 6 years old.  

 

I haven't really picked a size yet, spent much of the weekend nosing around and looking at sizes and 'deals' that the local stores have going on.  I think we have been leaning towards the 90 to 120 gallon tanks.  From what you are saying, I should keep towards the 90?

 

Thanks,

 

Michael

[Guest Ruh Roh]

I doubt you will have any problems with either of those, in either location. The weight difference between the two is minimal if you are worried about it, you can add cross braces to the joists from the underside. If you are thjinking of 180 or 240 well you would need to do some more reinforcement, but 90-120 shouldn't be an issue there.

[eddi]

Michael,

 

I had my house built 7 years ago and knew where I wanted to have my 125.  I talked to the construction foreman, explained what I wanted to do and where and asked for his opinion.  Mine is running parallel on a joist and it is exactly on it.  He strongly recommended installing a second joist as a precaution.  I don't think it he just wanted to squeeze more money out of me as it was only $200.

 

Is there any construction near you?  Go find the foreman and ask him.  If not, hire an engineer.  You may not need it, but a couple hundred dollars is highly worth your peace of mind.