Will the floor hold?

[twiztid1980]

I live in a trailer and plan on getting either a 50 or 65 gallon tank. My floor joists are 2x4's every 16 inches and on top of that 3/4 inch particle board. The stand is 37 x 19 that I built with a solid base(no legs). I will be able to get the stand over 2 joists and almost over a 3rd which an inner wall is nailed into. I am wondering if any problems will arise with putting a 65 gallon there i.e. will the floor hold. The I beam that runs the length of the trailer is about 4feet from the outter wall. Tank will be set up along outter wall. I'd estimate stand weight maybe around 70lbs or alittle less. 65 gallon dimensions are approx. 36x18x24H. Any info would be great.

[kimmers318]

I would venture to say you should be fine unless there are concerns about this being an extremely old trailer that may have sturdiness issues. The floor in our recroom is raised off the concrete and had been built by my father and it is holding my 65 gal right next to my huge corner desk just fine without any indications that the floor is stressing.

[Abbeys_Mom]

My guess is that it would hold. The key is to distribute the weight evenly. Some one else may be able to post more info on the subject.

[Lady Hobbs]

I see no problem, either, as long as the floor is in good shape. Often chinzy plywood flooring is used in older trailors or even pressboard. If it would make you feel more comfortable, I would add a couple floor jacks under the tailor in that area.

[jeffs99dime]

i would recommend plavcing the tank as close to the beam as possible

[Incredulous_Ed]

If you are really concerned, get some proffesional guy to check. But I think it will hold

[Nautilus291]

If your tank falls through your floor you know it wont support it.:hmm3grin2orange:

[Incredulous_Ed]

That's true lol
Live and learn I guess

[blue fin]

Contact the manufacturer of the trailer, keep in mind that water is approx. 8.9 lbs per gallon and rocks are more, you could be looking at a substantial amount of weight. If I were you I would put jacks with a 4x4 under the area where the tank will be placed as already suggested.

[twiztid1980]

Ok well I decided to use some concrete blocks and 2 2x4's to support the outside wall under the trailer. Do you think that would be enough. My problem with getting to the joists underneath is the amount of insulation and what looks to be cork board or something similar holding the insulation up so I cant see the joists at all. The outer board that everything connects too is exposed when I pull the skirting back and can easily put supports under that.

[boston]

my floor of my house is built simalr and i have a 90 gal on it and it holds it fine.

[Drumachine09]

I would cut cripple studs and brace the bottom of the floor, just to be sure.

[twiztid1980]

Got a scissor jack and a 4x4 and a cinder block so supporting the 2 joists shouldnt be a problem.

[jweintraub]

When I was stationed at Ft. Stewart in GA, I lived in a trailer for a while and ended up getting a King sized waterbed. Never had an issue, never even thought about it until I read this post. I'm sure you'll be fine!

[gm72]

2x4s are much stronger than what most people think. The I beam is supporting the joists, you'll be fine unless there is something structurally wrong with the wood.

[cocoa_pleco]

this post is from a month a go!

[gm72]

Opps. Probably would be good to pay attention to those dates up there, huh.

[cocoa_pleco]

its recommended. lol

[Chrona]

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

Here is a good article on weight.

[cocoa_pleco]

thats actually a really helpful article chrona!

[TracyUK]

We had the same worry for the floorboards in our house when installing my tank. It seems ok so far.....fingers crossed!

[kenyth]

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

Here is a good article on weight.


A VERY good article! I had concerns like this some years back when putting a weight bench on a second floor of a rental converted home bi-level. The answer wound up being that it was fine, but I had to use a sheet of plywood because the sub-flooring had deteriorated some from dry rot. My bench had legs instead of a bar across the bottom, so punching through was a real possibility. The joist structure was old beefy hardwood planks and could easily support the weight.

You might think a weight bench is nothing compared to an aquarium, but at that point I was 300 pounds, the bench was well over 100 pounds, and I was working with up to 350 pounds on the bar and a spotter who weighed 250 pounds. So you're talking up to 1K pounds centered in a small area of the floor! A newer structure made with smaller softwood planks would have been unsafe (although it probably would have supported it just fine), so when I moved to a second floor aparment, I put the bench in storage.

Now that I'm married with a baby again and own a home my bench collects a lot of dust, but I have aspirations for the future when I once again have time! :ezpi_wink1:

[novice]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[cocoa_pleco]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhhhh, no more caffeine for you: :confused: :confused: :confused:


JK

[YaYgoldFish]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa


thats just spam...

[gm72]

Here we go again, another umm...quality poster.

[Drumachine09]

Here we go again, another umm...quality poster.



Reminds me of a certain...how shall i put it...canadian poster.

[Chrona]

Easy guys. He probably just replied, then saw the last reply was a month ago, so edited it out. Novice is not a spammer judging by his other posts. Heck, cocoa spams more than him :)

[gm72]

I don't know man, I'm ready with mah' kickin' foot!

[Drumachine09]

Heck, cocoa spams more than him :)



Hmmmmm, valid point...

[cocoa_pleco]

Hmmmmm, valid point...

touche!!!!!!!!!!

[gm72]

...and maybe I'm over sensitive to what may appear as nonsense. Well noted, indeed.

[novice]

thats just spam...
o so srry about that dont no what happnd sorry once more. gm 72 dont kick to hard pls lol

[gm72]

I won't, I promise.