[randymon]

Ok, this is the last time I ask about this before putting up my new 125 this weekend. I have gotten several answers some yay some ney, so here is the the situation and description of the layout so tell me what you think...
Tank will go where my current 55 is and the floor dosent shake any even if you jump some with the 55. The floor joists unfortunatly will run parallel to the tank but the joists are at least 2X10s 12in on the center so hitting two of them will be no problem. The subfloor is 2x10 toung and groove coverd with hardwood flooring. Theres a hole in the floor where an some old baseboard heating wire was and the floor thickness measures about 3 inches. Somthing that puzzles me is that the hard wood runs parallel with the joists. Is this common.? The house was owner built in 55 but built solid. Now for the span. The joists it will be sitting on are between a fireplace hearth and a load bearing wall with a inside wall behind the tank. So the span seems to be only 8 feet. here is a diagram. best i could do. there is no way for xtra support.

inside wall
load l ----------------------- l--------l
l ------------------------ l l fireplace
bearing l l aquarium l l
wall l l------------------------ l--------
l

[randymon]

pay no attention to the diagram. it got messed up when I posted.

[jollopee]

I wouldnt worry too much about setting a 55 gallon tank on a 8' span set of 2x10's. As far as the hard wood floor goes people lay hardwood floors in terms of depth perception. To make a room look wider or longer than it is, so yes it is common for the hardwood floor to run with the joist instead of across them.

Todd

[Poseidon]

I think you will be fine, just keep an eye on those joists.