Big aquarium in basment on concrete floor

waltee1000

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Hi,

I am finishing the basment and have plans to put two 60"×30"×24" reef tanks both connected to the same sump. I wanted one 400 gallon to 500 gallon tank but space and logistics of getting the tank into the basment seems to work well with 2 smaller tanks.

The tanks will be placed on the basment concrete which I think is 3 to 4 inches thick. The fish room is going to be 12'x6'. Weight going to be around 3500 lbs per tank when I factor 3/4 inch glass tank and stand.

I wanted to know if my concrete floor will be able to handle weight of 2x200 gallon tanks + 100 gallon sump tank + RODI water storage + maybe a small frag tank over a small area. Also, I have a drain crate along the perimeter of the concrete that drains into the sump pit so will that crate get crushed?

Someone suggested that I could build a 6 inches high concrete pad with steel mesh where the tanks would sit just like they put down for a fireplace. What is the possibility that something like that would work and prevent the concrete from cracking or the drain crate around the foundation from crushing. Also thought on dirty compaction below the concrete floor if it happens will it make my floor uneven?

Another thing is there is load bearing steel pole supporting the beam where the tanks are going to sit. So not sure if it would compromise its integrity if the concrete floor cracks.
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MnFish1

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I would worry much more about humidity and salt 'in the air'. In our basement - all of the copper is 'blue'. Make sure to have an exhaust fan
 

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