Aquarium Weight Issue, 2nd floor.

[dtholden]

I'm not sure how to find this info. But I live on the second floor of my apartment complex. Water as I'm sure you all know is a heavy bugger, would the roughly 500 pounds of water be an issue? I feel like it wouldn't considering some bed frames and or television entertainment systems probably weigh that amount. Thanks again for all the help! This is in regards to a 40 gallon as well. Hope this is the right forum to post in!

Thanks Dylan

 

[Convict2161]

Well just the water your looking at 332 pounds. But your gonna have water displacement due to decor and substrate. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

I have a 75 gallon tank with rocks, rocks and more rocks. 4 pieces of driftwood, plants a canopy, stand and a HUGE light.

I think your good...

 

[tonedogz]

I think your ok I have a 90 gal. with no problems. I'd just make sure the tank is going across the joists so it catches 2 or 3 of them rather then the other way catching only 1 or 2

 

[jcolon]

Your fine, I'd bet your floor could even hold up to a 125gal. This is where a good aquarium stand really is important. With large tank you just dont want metal stands with legs that pinpoint the weight, but rather like a cabinet stand with wide bases / feet to spread the weight.

 

[dtholden]

Interesting. Would I have to call the landlord to get an idea of which direction those are going in? Like a building plan or something?

 

[dtholden]

Thanks Jcolon, I've been reading tons on stands. I saw this DIY stand done with cinder blocks, it actually was really impressive and had a lot of success, and didn't look lazy.

 

[tonedogz]

Yes the landlord might know or if you can see them in the basement they usually run the same way

 

[dtholden]

Landlord it is, my basement would be the neighbors apartment below me haha. thanks again

 

[uscamaro]

I would make sure that you're allowed to have a tank of that size before you ask them. A few of the apartments I've lived in didn't allow tanks larger than 10g. If you ask the landlord, and he gets wind of you having a 40g, you're setting yourself up for a fine (not trying to scare you, just giving you a heads up).

 

[Retired_AF]

I would ask first, as others have suggested. Many landlords actually have a clause in the contract covering this.

Just to make a note, the weight of the tank itself isnt the issue, it's how spread out it is. A waterbed takes a HUGE amount of water, but it's weight per square foot is less than a standard sized refrigerator. As jcolon said, you need to spread out the weight distribution. The pressure on the joists, evenly distributed, should be negligible. A cabinet that is at least 3 feet wide should spread it out enough to eliminate the risk.

 

[Uncle Dirty]

Back when I lived in an apartment I told my landlord I had fish and she asked "they are in a tank right?", um yea.

 

[Retired_AF]

Back when I lived in an apartment I told my landlord I had fish and she asked "they are in a tank right?", um yea.

omg... that ranks right at the top of my "You've gotta be kidding" list...

 

[dtholden]

Thats the funniest thing I've heard in awhile haha