Any Canadian/US Structural Engineers here?

[Jeff Mottle]

This is kind of an out there question, but I am looking at puting a large aquarium on the main floor of my house, becuase I'm getting tired of trying to maintain the water chemistry in my 10 gallon now. I was going to get a 55 gallon, but saw that a 90 gallon would still fit quite well. The problem is a 90 gallon tank will weigh between 1000-1200lbs once filled. The location is above a beam and running perpendicular to the joists, but it's been WAY to long since I took statics and stress analysis in college, so I was wondering if any of you out there are familiar with doing these types of calculation or know anyone that is. I may have to phone the city or find an engineer here in town, but thought I'd ask here first.

 

Any other arch CG people out there with aquariums

[MegaPixel]

Hi Jeff, I'm a retired Salt Water Tanker myself. The biggest Tank I had was a 55 Gal. You could probably compare your 90 Gal. to that of a full size waterbed so ask yourself a quick question, "Would you feel comfortable installing a Waterbed in this location?". Granted, a Waterbed would span more beams and more evenly distribute the load. Seriously though, if your Tank Base is big enough to span atleast 2 or more paralled beams and the beams are 2x8 or greater in size, I think you'll be fine. Do you have access to a basement underneath this position? Perhaps the installation of a Poll Jack could eliminate any issues.

 

So what do you plan on using for Filtration these days? The last time I checked, Bio filtration was the latest & greatest method to use. I heard a rumor that there is a new product called Miracle Mud that is very stable and relatively resistant to environmental shock.

This is an expensive hobby. By the time I had my Tank setup with the External filtration tank, Fluval Jets, UV Sterzlizer, Protein Skimmer, Natural Daylight Bulbs and 50+ pounds of Live Rock, I was about $1500+ before I purchased any Fish. Don't get me started on Fish costs hehe.

 

Well, I hope you learn what it takes to feel comfortable about the location of your Tank and Good Luck with the Tank itself.

 

[ October 12, 2003, 01:42 PM: Message edited by: MegaPixel ]

[Jeff Mottle]

Hey MegaPixel,

 

I'm only going todo a Freshwater setup. While I'd love to do a saltwater tank, I can't afford it. What I wouldn't do for a tank of tomatoe clowns and some yellow tangs.

 

Freshwater filtration and maintenace is not as complicated as saltwater. At least from what I have read of saltwater. I'll be getting an Eheim cannister filter with a spray bar, 2 fluroescent strip lights (5000-6000K) maybe more once I get a CO2 Injection setup, sand substaight, Ebo-Jager 250W heater, live plants, driftwood and slate. Not much else to it really, but the cost of the entire setup will be in the $2000 range, and another $500-1000 for CO2. I'm researching that part now, but it get's expensive once you add pH monitors that control selonoids for the CO2 tank. I just love this hobby so it a lot of fun.

 

As for the support under the tank, it will be placed in the most sturdy spot in the entire house. Only by luck, as that is the only place in the house I have room. As it turns out the wall I am going to place it against is directly above a 4-2X10 beam which then has 3-4 2x10 joists below the tank area runing perpendicular to the tank. It will probably able to support it, but I'm not going to take a chance with that much weight. 90 gallons of water and having to rebuild, and jack up my main floor to repair the hole where the tank fell would not be fun. Actually if it did fall through my entire house would collapse and the second story would come crashing down as that beam is the main support for the entire house.

[mzagorski]

Jeff, Just move to Hawaii. Sure, you would have to walk a few metres to get to your fishes and might need a snorkel to view them... but at least is doesn't snow here (well, not on this island at least). Alternatively, stick some Koi Carp into your bath. I can get a good deal importing them via the in-laws from Japan

 

Definitely something fishy going on there... Install a fish-screensaver and just never work..!?

[Sawyer]

Ah Jeff, this is a lethal topic. I used to pond (I had a 500 gallon pond in my back yard) but we sold that house and got a child. Just not quite as fun if you have to worry about someone drowning. But I miss my koi. Some of my goldfish had given birth and I was begining my own little ecosystem. Maybe once new baby (due march 3) is old enough we will dig another really big hole and throw all our money into it.

[ingo]

Originally posted by Sawyer:

...but we sold that house and got a child....

That's interesting, is that related in any way ? "Come on honey, now that we sold that house, how about a child instead ?"

[Sawyer]

Well atually it was more like "Gee honey I miss that great tax break we got having a house if only there were something else to take its place..."

 

 

Actually I misspoke. We had the babay before we moved. I didn't think the pond and baby would be incompatable till the baby got older. It s a three year old that is worrysome with a pond not a baby.