Posted by cmturt on January 10, 2003 at 11:35:22:
In Reply to: Re: INDOOR POND IDEA posted by Chris_Tutecky on December 30, 2002 at 23:14:10:
:Well, I have some backround in construction, as well as landscaping, as well as fish/reptile enclosure construction, so hopefully I can pool all that info and help you!
:FIRST , How old is your house. Most newer houses( newer than 1980's) have OVER THE TOP standards on weight capacity. If all else fails, go into your basement and (if possible) look at your floor joists. Are they rotted, bowing?
:SECOND, if you make sure your base for this pond spread the wieght out evanly, as apposed to down onto one or 2 points on the floor, this will help.
:Third
:Im unsure abouthow handy you are when it comes to woodworking or construction, but if u have the space, time and skills, why not make your own. It will look WAY nicer and u can customize it. Id use some plexi glass, a wood frame, and go from there
:Anyways, I didnt want to shoot down your idea, just suggest another. Sounds interesting though
:Chris
Thanks for your response. I am no carpenter, but my dad was and i'm sure the building part would be no problem. I currently live upstairs in an apartment. I thionk the weight, distributed, ends up being 20-something lbs per square foot. I would even use a play wood base under the frame to diustribute the weight more evenly. I have drafted up concept plans as to about how it would be constructed. I would not make it permanent, but instead create it into 2-3 peices that could easily be taken apart for re-location to a new home after draining the pond. I figure the plexiglass window would be cool--and i could make it look nice with trim, etc., as well as being able to look right down into the pond. i would also get light stands for my heat/uv lamp, etc., not to mention a nice land area between the pond and the wall corner where it would be located. I just need to persuade my girlfriend that this wont smell or look too bad. heh. heh. thats probably the hardest thing about this whole idea.
