Will my tank fall through the floor? - Aquarium Advice

sweetness8t5 · 06-28-2007, 01:36 AM

I was cruising the DIY section of this forum and saw that someone posted something about if their tank will fall through their second story floor. And this worried me, my 55g will be in my room on the second floor. There is no water in it now... but will it fall through the floor?
Any contractors out there???

**Zagz** · 06-28-2007, 02:22 AM

I have a 55 gal on my second story, full. It is about 600 lbs full with substrate etc. You will be fine. Most floors can easily withstand that kind of weight. It would be different if it were over a tiny area but over 4 feet across, no problem with mine. Can't see a problem with yours. Now my 125 I planned out with my floor joists in mind. LOL

theotheragentm · 06-28-2007, 03:51 AM

Can you get six grown people to stand where you want your tank? If you're worried, arrange the tank so it goes across a support beam.

**Fishyfanatic** · 06-28-2007, 06:46 AM

You'll be fine. The tank won't "fall through the floor". The worst that may happen would be the floor would bow where the tank is sitting. Chances of that happening from a 55 gal tank? Slim, VERY slim. It's when you get into larger tanks that are tall versus long. We have a 150 gal Tall that I am scared to death to put on anything but a concrete slab. It's heavy and the weight is not distributed like most tanks.

Marconis · 06-28-2007, 05:00 PM

I have my 46 in my room which is on a wood floor on the second story. It has a large amount of rocks in it plus 60lbs of sand, and it's been standing for 6 months. You should be ok.

rich311k · 06-28-2007, 05:07 PM

I would think any thing under 75 gallons will be fine in a normally constructed US dwelling.

i3k · 06-29-2007, 12:28 AM

I have an 100 gal tank on my first floor but its right over our garage so it's like a second floor. I've had it in the same spot against a wall for over 3 years now. You'll be OK if you place it against a supporting wall.

Lonewolfblue · 06-29-2007, 02:32 AM

You will have no problems with a 55G, or even a 75G. Where I would be concerned is 90G and up, if the tanks are tall. Like Fishyfanatic mentions above, the smaller the area, the more concern you should have. If it's a Long tank, then the concern level goes down quite a bit. I'm looking at a 300G wide, but it will go on concrete slab. But from what I've asked, they tell me it would be just fine as long as it's properly set across joists, and along a support wall.

06-28-2007, 01:36 AM	#1
sweetness8t5 Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 112	Will my tank fall through the floor? I was cruising the DIY section of this forum and saw that someone posted something about if their tank will fall through their second story floor. And this worried me, my 55g will be in my room on the second floor. There is no water in it now... but will it fall through the floor? Any contractors out there??? __________________ "Just keep swimming..." -Dory

06-28-2007, 06:46 AM	#4
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	You'll be fine. The tank won't "fall through the floor". The worst that may happen would be the floor would bow where the tank is sitting. Chances of that happening from a 55 gal tank? Slim, VERY slim. It's when you get into larger tanks that are tall versus long. We have a 150 gal Tall that I am scared to death to put on anything but a concrete slab. It's heavy and the weight is not distributed like most tanks. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

06-28-2007, 05:00 PM	#5
Marconis Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 848 Images: 4	I have my 46 in my room which is on a wood floor on the second story. It has a large amount of rocks in it plus 60lbs of sand, and it's been standing for 6 months. You should be ok. __________________ Lower your head modestly while passing, and you will harvest bananas.

06-29-2007, 02:32 AM	#8
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	You will have no problems with a 55G, or even a 75G. Where I would be concerned is 90G and up, if the tanks are tall. Like Fishyfanatic mentions above, the smaller the area, the more concern you should have. If it's a Long tank, then the concern level goes down quite a bit. I'm looking at a 300G wide, but it will go on concrete slab. But from what I've asked, they tell me it would be just fine as long as it's properly set across joists, and along a support wall. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

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06-28-2007, 03:51 AM	#3
theotheragentm Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,177	Can you get six grown people to stand where you want your tank? If you're worried, arrange the tank so it goes across a support beam.

06-28-2007, 05:07 PM	#6
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	I would think any thing under 75 gallons will be fine in a normally constructed US dwelling.

06-29-2007, 12:28 AM	#7
i3k Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 237 Images: 13	I have an 100 gal tank on my first floor but its right over our garage so it's like a second floor. I've had it in the same spot against a wall for over 3 years now. You'll be OK if you place it against a supporting wall.

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