My "Tanked" Tank

Wow that frame is in bad shape....the bubbling and such seems to say its not just surface rust either sadly....sounds like its time to bust out your woodworking skills!
 
In ever thought of the scaffolding I might be able to get a hold of some but not sure to scaffolds stacked would be enough and some kind of pully or an engine lift on top would probably work.


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Wow that frame is in bad shape....the bubbling and such seems to say its not just surface rust either sadly....sounds like its time to bust out your woodworking skills!

Yea I was thinking. I would definetely get hold of seller and tell them whats up.
 
id media blast that frame and either use por 15 to repaint or powdercoat it. por 15 can go on there with some of the rust still on it so you do a bit less work .
 
are you guys sure I need to brace the floor with this tank? the weight is spread out so far- 8 feet on one and 6 on the other. Isn't the weight lighter when it is spread out?
 
Even spread out that's alot of weight. Gotta play it safe no sense doing all that work then breaking the floor. And making more bills and remodling. Always best to do it right first time if u can. Imo I wouldn't even rethink it with combine weight of rock sand water sump and everything else.
 
are you guys sure I need to brace the floor with this tank? the weight is spread out so far- 8 feet on one and 6 on the other. Isn't the weight lighter when it is spread out?

It is probably ok, but think of the cost if its not? I would brace it.


I have a 180 gallon to trade and some cash - think about it.
 
The issue of structural integrity is quite important with a tank this large. Not to get off on a tangent, but most people forget that buildings are designed for and have specific limits. Only when porches come crashing down killing people do people realize that buildings are engineered for specific loads.

Lets do some quick math based on what you have said so far.

Tanks dry 600 pounds
Stand dry 300 pounds

500 gallons of water @ roughly 8 pounds per gallon is 4000 pounds

Equipment 250 pounds

So far thats 5,150 pounds

Just with this round number, you are looking at a tank that weighs more than

2011_F150_SKV_5010_HR_jpg_677x1000_q100.jpg


Would you park a ford F150 in your living room and not be concerned about the structure?

Its different when you consider it like that.

Also, consider that simply "reinforcing" the existing structure isn't always the right action. The load of the fish tank needs to transfer to the earth through various framing and structural systems in your home. The load will transfer like this.

Subfloor -> Floor joist -> Beam -> Column -> Footing

Along all of those paths of travel, the load has to be supported within the design limits of each component.

Certain efforts can be made to eliminate some of the considerations from the list. Putting the tank next to a foundation wall or on a concrete basement floor slab are some of the often used ideas for minimizing overloading any one element.

Long story kinda short. Yes, you need to consider structure. Most definitely.
 
Point is, don't under estimate the weight limits of your homes design.

No home is designed to carry a car on a framed structure.
 
Alright just read through all 75 posts and man this is going to be an awesome tank! However, much planning needs to be done to make sure that it doesn't add in disaster. Reinforcement is a must... regardless of having to repair the floor, etc think about all the livestock that will be dying on the floor....not to mention 500 GALLONS flowing through your house. Ive spilling a 5gal bucket before....can't imagine 500gal - plus its saltwater....that will destroy ANYTHING that it hits - aka you'd be gutting out most of your house.

It sounds like the fork-lift is the best/safest method ... or pay movers to do it and the liability gets transferred to them.

Definitely following along :)
 
Yea definetely paints a clear picture now Jake. Yea I would MOST definetely do supports. No question about it.
 
Metal tank stand is sanded and painted with rust reformer. I'll get that spray painted this weekend. Menard's has a huge selection of paints and they have a paint that looks exactly like stone. I was thinking of painting the back of the tank in a grey or red cement color.
 
Oh, contractor should be coming to do joists next week. He doesn't see any problems with a Ford pickup parked in the living room and he will brace the floor with the joists.
 
Oh, contractor should be coming to do joists next week. He doesn't see any problems with a Ford pickup parked in the living room and he will brace the floor with the joists.

Has he seen the floor layout you have?

I would want to see more than just sister joists
 
Ask the contractor to issue a warranty for 1 year on the reinforcing he does in writing and make sure he is insured.

I suggest you get a structural engineer to look at the project and come up with a design.

Contractors like to play professional a bit more than they should. Simply throwing some more joists under there may not address other structural concerns.
 
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