Safe floor load?

[Molli]

Any structural engineers on here that are willing to share their knowledge? I'm going to put a 75g refugium over a 75g sump. The floor joists are 2x6's 16" on center. The refugium and sump would share a single floor joist with the end of my other 75g tank, and would also only be sitting on 2 actual 2x6's. We added 2 2x4's under each of the two joists to give additional support, but I'm still nervous. Anyone help?

 

[Pancho]

Are you on a raised foundation. If so I'd say pour some concrete and support the joist underneath. It's not so hard if there is space.

 

[Molli]

unfortunately there is about 7 feet between that floor and the ground level, as the house is built into a hill and the room below it is underneath the house, with a mostly dirt floor.

 

[El Dude]

At first I thought "Hill? Where do these people live?" Then I saw Crestline...all the houses over there are on stilts...sorry neighbor...

 

[jbaeza83]

unfortunately there is about 7 feet between that floor and the ground level, as the house is built into a hill and the room below it is underneath the house, with a mostly dirt floor.

Its not that hard, dig a hole big enough to fit support pillars in, then just add 4x4s to support your floor, they would need to attach to a brace that crosses a few floor joist.

 

[Pancho]

Well better even. Just like Juan said. 4x4s will be great. U need to support the lonely 2x6 if possible double it up.

 

[Pancho]

I u weren't so far I could help.

 

[BigDaddyStar]

Its easy like said...You will probably be alright...factors to consider are of course age of the wood exposure to elements and weight distribution.

150g of water only about half a ton.

But to be on the safe side and since it is easily done yes make a substructure of pillars from 4x4's with concrete bases then you have no worries kinda like building an awning under your house

 

[jbaeza83]

It would be something like this, the top 2x6 being your existing floor joist, then another 2x4 under that spanning a couple of floor joist and finally a 4x4 supporting the 2x4 (you would need at least two support pillars.

 

[Molli]

There is concrete poured in the section where we added the supports. So, general consensus is that it's probably alright with the added support?

I'll get some pictures of the added supports and floor joists on my build thread tomorrow. It's dark and cold out there right now!

 

[BigDaddyStar]

yeah added support will be the ticket.....its just like building a stand under the stand...that pic pretty much shows it all

 

[Molli]

Well, besides the concrete bit under the post (since the floor it's resting on is concrete) we've pretty much done that part.

 

[wickedfish]

Sounds like you did a good job, post some pics. I mean any extra support will help you sleep in the end.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Molli]

Sure will, tomorrow. Have to update the build thread anyway with the new stand >.<

 

[Pancho]

keep posted

 

[Molli]

btw, everyone, thank you for the replies, you've really helped put my mind at ease. When I set up my first large (for me) tank, it was a 75g on the third floor of a new apartment complex. I had nightmares of it crashing through the floor for many weeks. Really didn't want to go through that with this. lol

 

[Molli]

They aren't 2x6's after all. I measured the floor joists, they're actually 2x8.5 does this mean they're 2x8's or 2x10's? lol

This is the added support we did.

Is this good?