Strength of floor joists

[thefishtank]

Hi there, I've recently moved into a new house built by a reputable (well I think so) builder. I'm planning on installing my fishtank and it's equipment now and I'm a little concerned about the strength of the floor. The tank is going on the middle level of the house which has a 6m joist span front to back (spacing I can only guess is 60cm). Due to the considerable weight of the tank and equipment (circa 2,000 lbs) and the relatively small foot print (80cm x 2m) I am worried about the strength of the joists.
Can anyone tell me what the designed max static load is for such a floor. Sorry I'm not sure of the size of the joists but I was told they manufactured specially for the project and craned in !
Thanks

 

[oilman]

Last information I had was 150lb/sq ft. Experts might know better. Putting your fish tank there is like putting 2 Agas on the same space, and no one would put even one Aga in without reinforcing the floor.

 

[Freddie]

Last information I had was 150lb/sq ft. Experts might know better. Putting your fish tank there is like putting 2 Agas on the same space, and no one would put even one Aga in without reinforcing the floor.

Very true i estimate your tank at that weight must hold 200 gallons of water you would be crazy to put that tank in the middle of the floor infact on that span you would be crazy to put that tank anywhere on that floor

 

[thefishtank]

Thanks for your info - the tank is actually going to go next to the main structural supporting walls in a corner - it actually holds 100 gallons but what with the tank + water + rocks + sand I estimate worst case scenario to be 2000 lbs. (probably more like 1500 lbs - so with a footprint of 5 x 2.5 it will come under the 150 / sqft ........... )

Surely these guys (Bryant Homes) design floors to take this weight - after all a few "large" people and a good sturdy sofa would have the same footprint as my tank ??

 

[nstreet]

Surely these guys (Bryant Homes) design floors to take this weight - after all a few "large" people and a good sturdy sofa would have the same footprint as my tank ??

Don't see many people weighing 900kgs though do you?

 

[thefishtank]

but a good sturdy sofa will weigh about 300 lbs - three people of the larger type build could come in at 400 lbs each .......... it's just a scenario the designers should take into account - or they should post a "not too many large people at a time" notice.

The house is built on three levels with the main living area on the central level - this surely is an antisipated "high traffic and high use" area which should be designed to take abnormal loads !!! (I'm trying to convince myself it's going to be OK ............... the tank and rocks are in place now .... just waiting for the water ......... so far no signs of strain or funny noises from the floor !!

 

[Freddie]

That wont happen but what will is that they will start to sag where the joists are.

You came on here asked a question and ignore any advice----amazing !!!

 

[thefishtank]

Advise taken and understood.
I'll look into moving the tank to the basement (concrete base)
Thanks

 

[oilman]

300lbs for a sofa? I doubt many of them are even half that. And do you have many friends of over 25 stone? I think the sofa manufacturer might not honour the guarantee.

 

[Freddie]

300lbs for a sofa? I doubt many of them are even half that. And do you have many friends of over 25 stone? I think the sofa manufacturer might not honour the guarantee.

If his friends are over 25 stone i think we ought to agree with him from now on