Need advice on setting up 75g reef on tile in my Kitchen

C

clown

I am wanting to set up a 80g tank in my Kitchen on tile that is 1 foot square each. The person that laid the tile said I wouldn't be able to set up a aquarium on the tile because it would crack. What do you think?
the stand is 48" X 19". I am thinking that once the stand, aquarium, live rock,water, and canopy it would be very heavy, but I wouldn't think it would crack the tile.

anyone got a big tank on tile?

let me know

thanks
 
If water is 8lbs per gallon, and you add 120lbs of LR and 100lbs of sand, plus the weight of the tank itself, a sump... you are putting thousands of pounds on the flooring.

Does the tile sound hollow when you knock on it with your knuckle? Mine have a few spots that I worry about.
 
the tile does not make a hollow sound on any of the tile.
I remember that the tile that was laid was expensive
 
If nothing else, I think I'd put a sheet of the pink insulation foam down, and then a sheet of plywood down, to even everything out and to distribute the load...
 
If I set it up on tile , it's only 8 tiles it could crack. My mom has at least 10 tiles left over. If they crack and I take down the tank, couldn't the 8 tiles be taken out and redone with my extra tiles?
 
It's not cheap and there may be color variation of the tile and the definitely of the grout - but yes they can be broken out and replaced.
 
I would just fret, that worst case scenario if the tiles crack while the reef is in use how the pressure would definitely be uneven, and how much at risk that would put the tank or stand at. Would that cause the tank or stand to fail at some point?

Definitely test the tile by putting the insulation down before placing the stand and then again when the tank is set down before you fill. Fill, place LS and LR down and make sure you have a secure spot for the reef. :wink:

Just be safe. If all goes well before you add livestock, chances are it won't break by adding a fish or a few corals. Take it slowly. 8)
 
@Serk wrote:
If nothing else said:
I would do this the other way. I would put the plywood on the tile and the foam between the plywood and the tank. The plywood would spread the load and the foam would take up some irregularities.

Just my opinion, absolutly no experience here.
Click to expand...
 
Most of my tanks have been on tile. I had my 72 bow on tile and there were no issue's and I have my 175 bow on tile and there are no issue's. I have nothing underneath them what so ever. To me its allot cleaner. If you spill some water while you are doing something you just whip it up and dont have to worry about wet carpet.

If you have checked the tiles with a broom stick as every has stated, by taping on the tiles listening for a hollow sound out of one of them, I dont think you will have an issue. Once the tile is seated, it should be as sturdy as the foundation if layed properly.
 
Please do not put a layer of insulation under the stand! It will make it unstable. I know people put it under tanks and some manufacturers recommend it, but not under the stand itself. Unless your stand has feet like a DAS tank or a cheap wire frame stand, you have nothing to worry about. Most stands are designed to distribute the load. Even if it has feet, as long as it's not on a hollow tile you are fine. If a tile cracks under the pressure of the tank, more than likely it wasn't installed right to begin with.
 
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