in my standard frame built 1978 half duplex – i have an office wall that is 7ft wide running parallel with the joists – it is the center wall between the 2 halves of the duplex. it is on the 2nd floor – my floor joists are 2×10, and i am getting additional support added to them below so that i can have my 220 gallons of water (aquarium+sump) in my office where i can see it.
i want to actually ‘build on/in’ a support frame for it. i’m thinking this will decrease the direct load on the floor, and overall help with support as i’ll be securing 3 walls to help share the load.
my plan is to use 2×6 lag bolted to the studs along the 7ft span, and 2ft out from the wall with metal brackets at the corners, making a rectangle. i would do this at 36″ from the floor – this will hold a 120 gallon aquarium – platform on this would be 1″ heavy plywood. should i double up the 2×6?
in addition to that ‘floating’ platform, i’d build the same thing on the floor – and then i’d put supports between the 2 platforms in the 4 corners, eliminating the ‘floating’ aspect.
the lower shelf will contain around 60 gallons of water in a sump aquarium.
this is probably over-build. i tend to do that. i would love advice/recommendations!
yes, i know if anything catastrophic ever happens to the tank, i’m going to have a massive flood, such is life with aquariums.
Replies
you're putting about 1800 pounds water load on that area, not counting what the lumber weighs
if your space is 7x2 (14 sq ft), your load is at least 131 lbs/sq ft....
do yourself a favor and get an engineer involved in doing a load calculation
You can probably use an lvl span table and calculate the load for the header needed below the tank. In my opinion it would be nice to create a waterproof pan the tank sits in with a drain in case of leakage. Below the tank you might also make some sort of access panel and install a washer hookup box so you could drain and fill the tank easily. How about also taking out part of the wall so you can see it from both sides?
i wish i could see it from both sides, unfortunately, it's the wall that is shared with the other half of the duplex - and it's a bathroom on their side, might be awkward.
i have been adding ideas, like my basement/water manifold is RIGHT below where it goes, and accessible, so i could actually do the tray with drain... that's a really good idea. the other thing i've been toying with is an auto-top off and/or auto water change... if i'm putting a hole through my floor, i could really do whatever i want there... especially if i keep a heater in whatever ATO system i use and enough water for a full change in it...
i am consulting my contractor who has an engineer on speed-text... i will also look into that lvl span table - there is no reason i can't span the front with double 2x6 - or bigger, if i wanted to go higher, but considering joists are only 2x10, i don't think i'd need that... there is a lot of information on how much an individual (properly seated) stud can support as well, and this would be spread between 2 on each end and 5 on the back wall... plus supports to the floor on all 4 corners, and i can add supports to the floor in the back underneath. i CAN add an additional support on the front to the floor around 36 inches-ish, as i don't think i'm putting anything longer than 48 inches under the tank.