CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

I have a 70 gallon tank, and I have to move soon. Currently I am in a fairly modern house with concrete floors which is no problem.

The new house I am thinking of moving too has floor boards. I am concerned as to whether the boards will hold the weight of the tank. I have heard you have to locate the tank across the joists, but what if the joists run the length of the house and there is no way you can locate the tank across them? Will the boards hold the tank if you sit it parrallel to the joists?

Please help!!!!!

It depends on the size of the floor joists (ie 2X8, 2X10 ect) how far apart they are set (ie 16 inch center, 24 inch center) and how far the tank will be from any supporting members (ie foundation wall, or piers).
Think of a 70 gallon tank as apx. 700 Lbs. of water + the weight of the empty tank & stand + the weight of any gravel and decorations. Rock and gravel weigh more than water. Thus the total weight can be say 800 Lbs. Add a 100% safety margin. Total load is 1600 Lbs. If the depth of the stand allows the tank to rest over just 1 joist it will canterlever the load to the floor boards usualy only 1.5 to 2 inches thick.
This load is much greater than a bathtub full of water. I know that our state building code will not allow such a design in new construction.
I suggest adding extra support under the floor. Say 2 doubled piers across the 2 joist with proper footings. This should prevent any sagging of the floors or cracking of a joist.
If the tank is being located on a second story floor, I wouldn't.
Good luck.

If the floor won't hold a 70 gallon tank don't stand on the floor either If you've got a standard 70 - it should work out (I figure 800 pounds full also) to about 133 pounds per square foot , an average person weighs more then that and takes up less the a square foot of space.

I suggest adding extra support under the floor. Say 2 doubled piers across the 2 joist with proper footings. This should prevent any sagging of the floors or cracking of a joist.

<-- always a good idea if possiable though

Cheers for the advice guys - I am going to have a word with one of the building surveyors who works for the company I do - they may be able to help me with the direction of the joists - fingers crossed it will all be ok - don't need to have to worry about my babies as well as a house move and having to completely redecorate it too!!!!

i'm going to be getting a 75 gal soon and was wondering if it would be a problem having it upstairs in my room. it will be right next to the wall perpendicular w/the floor joist. we also have a pool table in the game room upstairs which is 4' from any wall. if the floor will support the pool table do you think it will support the tank?

i have a 55gal a 30 gal and a 5 gal all in a home made loft conversion, is fine.

putting the tank ona large sturdy peice of wood to spread the weight is a great idea, to avoid the stand legs crashing though the wood.

i plan on making my own stand w/concrete blocks, ply-wood, and a table cloth. the blocks will be in 6 stacks, all four corners and two in the middle.