Large tank upstairs

[ToastyHippie]

So, I'm considering putting a tank on my second story? I'd love to have a larger one. What would be the largest tank you'd put upstairs without thinking about positioning? I mean, it'd be against the wall and I'll want a full stand. I'm currently considering a 55

 

[Brookster123]

55 is fine

 

[ToastyHippie]

55 is fine

Could I go larger or would it be risky? I kind of want a larger tank in my room<3 I have the twenty in the living room so

 

[IHaveAquariums]

I wouldn't go larger then about a 75 just to be safe, but yeah floors can hold the weight, even more so if the stand isn't on 4 legs and spreads the weight out more, my bedroom alone I had a 36, 29, 15, and 10 in a 12x8 space. Some people do have like 125s but for that size I would check with insurance incase it leaks or breaks through the floor and things like that

 

[Barliman]

Also find out which way the floor joists run. If you can put the tank across several, you'll spread the load out.

 

[ToastyHippie]

Also find out which way the floor joists run. If you can put the tank across several, you'll spread the load out.

How would I go about that?

 

[coralbandit]

How would I go about that?

In newer homes /apts most of the bath tub runs perpendicular to the joist so it spreads its load across the floor joist...
I had a 135 and 100g in a second floor apt 20+ years ago with no problems...

 

[meegosh]

I would have no worries with a 55g anywhere in your house. You can go much larger if you place it against a load bearing wall, span as many joists as you can (as mentioned before), and place it on a well designed wooden stand.

Do you have an unfinished basement? Second story joists typically run the same direction as the first story. Go take a look!

Took me a while to find it again, but I found this article extremely helpful:
http://www.african-cichlid.com/Structure.htm