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blange3's 180 upgrade

J

Jcurry@wesketch

I remembered you said that floor was a little spongy. Worse case scenario you could always throw a dropped beam under the joists with a couple columns where the front of the tank is above. This would effectively cut the span of the joists from 12-14' down to 2' so then it wouldn't matter what size the joists are.
A really savy guy could incorporate the new support to make a raised platform for his sump. That would raise it off the floor to make it easier to work in/clean and reduce the head on the pump. :)

Maybe you know an architect that could give you a little sketch and a contractor that could give you a hand? ;D
 
blange3

blange3

Thanks for the offer my architect friend! ;)

The spongy floor is in the family room. The floor in the living room is rock solid so far.

A cleverly designed support in the new location would put my sump right in front of my furnace room doorway. It's a great idea though.

I'll check the joist size, the span is no more than 12'.

Since our contractor friend isn't concerned I think I'll give it a try witout any bracing. I plan on filling the tank before we carpet to make sure there are no leaks. I can check the joists for any deflection and make a final decision then.

Thanks for the advice!
 
J

Jcurry@wesketch

Move the door.

I'm sure it won't be a problem, but just a word of caution for anyone who may be reading this. Wood joists rarely "fail" instantly. They usually slowly deform over time and then crack or split. A better way to keep an eye on the joists would be to pull a string from end of the joist to the other even with the bottom of the joist. Leave the string there and keep an eye on it. If the bottom of the joist starts to dip below the string you know you have a problem. It may take some months for joist to start to deform so leave the string there permenantly.

And the other thing I always tell my clients..."Never let a contractor make a structural or aesthetic decision on their own." (no offense Mike ;D)
 
blange3

blange3

Jcurry@wesketch said:
Move the door.

And the other thing I always tell my clients..."Never let a contractor make a structural or aesthetic decision on their own." (no offense Mike ;D)
Click to expand...

No room to move the door unless I move the furnace.

If bracing becomes necessary it will have to be simple columns without the fancy sump shelf.

I guess the bracing would be something like a double 2x8 header supported by columns. What would the column spacing be? Would I only need to add the support across the 6ft span of the tank?
 
J

Jcurry@wesketch

blange3 said:
I guess the bracing would be something like a double 2x8 header supported by columns. What would the column spacing be? Would I only need to add the support across the 6ft span of the tank?
Click to expand...

Yes & Yes to the closest joist past the end of the tank
 
Baxreefs

Baxreefs

I have had several tanks set right on carpet. I like to cut a piece of plywood that fits perfectly under the stand plus about 1/2" all the way around the front and sides and completely back to the wall from the tank. I feel this takes out and rocky movement the carpet, particularly new carpet might induce. And, it offers some protection to the carpet for the future if the tank is moved. It catches incidental drips from the back of the tank as well. I always mean to seal the plywood but never have taken the time to do so. Anyway, wether it really does anything or not, having the ply between the stand and carpet has never done me any worng, always has given me some piece of mind, and never left an unsightly spot on the carpet when I've finally moved a tank.
 
ricwilli

ricwilli

Hi Bill, If you are worried about the carpet. Have the installer lay the carpet around the tank stand. Tell him that you want to keep the peice of carpet that belongs in the spot where the tank sits. If you ever decide to move the tank, you can put the piece of carpet back in the spot where the tank was. You can always call a carpet installer and have them seam it to the exsisting carpet. The only problem that I see with having the tank on the carpet is, that if you ever decide to move it, it will leave a big mark on the carpet. I don't think you will be able to remove the indents from the carpet.
 
blange3

blange3

So I guess it's time for an update.

We have carpet samples, that's the good news.

The bad news is the colors under consideration will definitely require repainting all of the rooms involved. (So my wife tells me) ::)

I have a vacation week coming up, but I've got a feeling I'm not getting any rest!

The goal is to be ready in time to celebrate AO's birthday and participate in the buying frenzy at the frag swap.

So redecorating and plumbing done by end of August and transfer from the 75 done by end of September.

Wish me luck. ;D
 
J

jazzsam

blange3 said:
So I guess it's time for an update.

We have carpet samples, that's the good news.

The bad news is the colors under consideration will definitely require repainting all of the rooms involved. (So my wife tells me) ::)

I have a vacation week coming up, but I've got a feeling I'm not getting any rest!

The goal is to be ready in time to celebrate AO's birthday and participate in the buying frenzy at the frag swap.

So redecorating and plumbing done by end of August and transfer from the 75 done by end of September.

Wish me luck. ;D
Click to expand...

Lots of luck wished to you!
 
P

paintman27

BILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just thought I would drop in and add my 2 cents worth. As far as carpet under or around the stand....its a toss up. When I did my tank I carpeted around the stand knowing that eventually the tank was going to be moved downstairs into the basement and we would have to re-carpet the living romm. If you do end up putting carpet under the stand here is some good advice.
Drill all your holes in floor before carpet goes in and then go back and cut out your carpet with a utility knife!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I watched a buddy of mine try to run a drill bit down through his carpet so he could run some more wires down into his basement. Well that worked out good until he reversed the bit to get it out of the hole. On the way out the drill bit hooked a strand in the carpet and before he realized it, it had pulled the strand from all the way across his living room! This left a nice racing stripe all the way across the room. And yes it was a brand new piece of carpet. If you end up drilling the holes in your floor after carpet goes in just make sure you cut the carpet back far enough so that your hole saw has no chance of hooking a strand of carpet! If that happens your wife told me you and your tank is toast! And by the way...DITCH THE SAND!!!!!!!!!! ;D
 
P

paintman27

Hey bill one more thing if your looking for a stock tank on the cheap you can have mine free of charge.. I made a new sump out of a 125 and my stock tank is going to go in the garbage soon if nobody wants it. You would have to get some new bulkheads, or try to re silicone the ones that are in it as they tend to leak a little. Let me know.
 
J

jazzsam

paintman27 said:
BILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just thought I would drop in and add my 2 cents worth. As far as carpet under or around the stand....its a toss up. When I did my tank I carpeted around the stand knowing that eventually the tank was going to be moved downstairs into the basement and we would have to re-carpet the living romm. If you do end up putting carpet under the stand here is some good advice.
Drill all your holes in floor before carpet goes in and then go back and cut out your carpet with a utility knife!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I watched a buddy of mine try to run a drill bit down through his carpet so he could run some more wires down into his basement. Well that worked out good until he reversed the bit to get it out of the hole. On the way out the drill bit hooked a strand in the carpet and before he realized it, it had pulled the strand from all the way across his living room! This left a nice racing stripe all the way across the room. And yes it was a brand new piece of carpet. If you end up drilling the holes in your floor after carpet goes in just make sure you cut the carpet back far enough so that your hole saw has no chance of hooking a strand of carpet! If that happens your wife told me you and your tank is toast! And by the way...DITCH THE SAND!!!!!!!!!! ;D
Click to expand...

I did that with a drill also! Be forwarned! It is really easy to end up with a stripe in a new carpet!
 
blange3

blange3

paintman27 said:
Hey bill one more thing if your looking for a stock tank on the cheap you can have mine free of charge.. I made a new sump out of a 125 and my stock tank is going to go in the garbage soon if nobody wants it. You would have to get some new bulkheads, or try to re silicone the ones that are in it as they tend to leak a little. Let me know.
Click to expand...

Thanks Stan for the advice and the offer!

I'll take you up on both. What size stock tank is it? I'm on vacation this week and can run up and get it almost anytime. LMK.
 
P

paintman27

Bill, its 100 gallon stock tank with 3 bulkheads in it. 2 on the front side and 1 in the back. Like I said your more than welcome to it! I am also on vacation this week (although its working around the house) so I will be home. PM sent with my home #
 
P

paintman27

here ya go
Picture012.jpg
 
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