a little help?

[WhoKnows?]

I am planing a reef tank but I have a couple concerns. I was looking at a glass 75 gallon tank but the probley is the only spot I have for it is the 2nd story of my house. The house was built in 1999 so do you think if I put it next a wall that goes straight threw to the bottom floor it would be ok? Also the house has a water softener, I was wondering if this would create a problem with carbonate hardness in the water or will it be ok? thank you for your time.

 

[Chris]

Not sure on the water softner. Water weighs something like 6lbs per gallon plus the weight of the tank. Dunno.

 

[jhnrb]

your house should support the tank, but, there have been stories of tanks crashing through floors so you should consult a contractor for that answer. salt water is apprx. 9 lbs a gallon so you want to spread the load out over a couple floor joists. hope something here helps.

 

[Jaxon]

In my last house I had 75 reef. i set it over the exterior wall of the first floor, the 2nd floor over-hang by about 2 feet, so it was perfect. Maybe you can set yours over a supporting wall thats down stairs. as far as the water, i would take a sample after it comes out of the water conditioner and before it goes into to the conditioner, to the LFS ,,, good luck... my:twocents:

 

[jhnrb]

water out of a conditioner is not suitable for salt water aquaium.

 

[WhoKnows?]

Thanks for all the help, My brother-in-law is a contractor so i will have him take a look at it. thanks again

 

[bkv1997]

I'm curious why water going through a water softner isn't suitable for a reef tank.

A water softner only removes heavy metals from the water.

Many people use RO/DI water which has everything removed from it.

I'm curious on this one if anyone know the reason why it isn't suitable?

 

[jhnrb]

THE NEW MARINE AQUARIUM by M. Paletta. a home water softening system is not the answer for removing heavy metals, as many of these systems dramatically change the sodium content of the water, which also will have a negative impact on marine life. If a home water softener is present, the RO/DI system should be used to correct any imbalances it creates. HOPE THIS ANSWERS YOUR QUESTON IN GENERAL.

 

[tangboy]

water

Water weighs roughly 8lbs per gallon when it's clean and from the tap. You should be OK if you place the tank near a load bearing wall. Water changes are going to be fun. I hope you have a full or 1/2 bath upstairs. Do you have hardwood,tile, or carpet?

 

[bkv1997]

Thanks jhnrb...

I'm wondering if that is saying a softner isn't enough you should use RO/DI, or is it saying either take it from the tap or RO/DI but the softner really messes it up.

Actually an interesting concept that I personally have never thought much about, was just interested.

Thanks again
Brandon

 

[jhnrb]

if you have a water softener and you take your aquarium water form the filtered side, you should run it through an ro/di system before using it for marine aquarium make up water or for making new salt water for water changes. hope this helps.

 

[minireefer]

I am late here so I cant add much.I do agree that a RO/DI unit should be used in combination with the softner.Your setup could up to 900 or more lbs.So ask your brother-in-law how much weight the spot would support a long period of time.

 

[Chris]

Shesh, No womnder everything was so heavy today when I was moving the tank, I thought water was 6lbs per gallon not 9! :)

 

[WhoKnows?]

thanks for all the help i have been moving so i havent had my computer set up till now. the room will be pergo flooring when its time for the aquarium. I just drove from southern california to houston texas in 36 hours and let me tell you its not fun at all