Question about locating an aquarium in pier and beam house?
Background: The house is a rambler built 1966. I'm setting up a 30 gallon aquarium with a 30x12" footprint. I have started setting it up along a wall that is the side of the house, and when I walk in front of it fast, I could get the water sloshing enough to make a mess if it was topped off. We have 2 bouncy kids so this is a problem. Also, I had to shim the front of the stand to get it level.
If I move the aquarium, how do I figure out the best place to put it so that it will move the least when kids are jumping in the room? Which way would you expect the beams to go, from front to back of the house or side to side across the room? I have no knowledge of house construction so sorry if that's a stupid question. I would rather not have to crawl under there and look. Is there a way to measure from the outside wall so that the aquarium is likely to be sitting over a beam - or would that make any difference in how much it would slosh at all?
Thanks for any advice.
Yes, it'll slosh, if it were filled to the top a little water would slosh out if someone bounced the floor in front of it (or if, say, a 40-pound child jumped there). I agree it does seem wrong, but it's an old house... I need advice on finding a spot where it will NOT slosh, without having to set it up somewhere else, fill it, and check. It's not all set up yet, it's only half filled, so can still move it if I drain the water... it'd be a pain but worth it. Thanks.
Disclaimer: This site is a paid affiliate of eBay.com
Tagged with: About • Aquarium • beam • house • locating • pier • Question
Filed under: 3D Aquarium Background
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
Are you sure that it will “slosh”? If it does, there’s something seriously wrong with the construction of the floor in your house.
Also keep in mind that this tank will weigh about 400 lbs once the water and gravel are loaded into it, so moving it after the fact will next to impossible.
Water weighs 8.35 lbs per gallon, so 30 gallons weighs 250 lbs. Add to that the weight of the stand and anything else you store there. I have to agree with the person who said your floor should not be that bouncy. That you had to level the aquarium also suggests a problem with your foundation. There should be an access panel to the crawl space beneath your home. A quick look should tell you which way the joists are laid. See the link below for info on pier and beam foundation construction. You might also want to have a termite inspection due to the age of your home. A fish tank (or anything else) that crashes through your floor won’t be pretty.
The best place to set an aquarium is away from windows that tend to encourage algae growth. A vinyl floor, or wooden one is preferable over carpet. Once a month a partial water change should be done to keep fish healthy. You remove 8 gallons from the aquarium, then replace with 8 gallons of new, treated water. Carpet would need protection from drips and spills that hold soil.