185g (60x30x25) Second Floor Condo - Help

[jpkrze]

I currently have a fish only 185 g (60L 30W 25H) in my second floor condo and need some opinions / advice. Tank has been up and running about 6mths. The stand is supported evenly across the bottom, flat oak ply. Condo complex was built 2004, only two stories, one unit on each floor, hardwood flooring.
Recently starting noticing a small gap forming between the hardwood floor and corner molding. Doesnt run across the entire wall, just a few spots. Also, notice some occasional creaks or two when I stand at the end of the tank. Water surface definitely ripples when I walk by with the pumps off. Also did the bounce test by standing near the middle of the tank and shifting my weight up and down (5'9 150lbs) and was able to feel the floor flexing.

Question is, should I tank the tank down and sell it??

 

[Dholmblad]

Talk to a structural engineer, people here probably cannot help you.

 

[Spectre2006]

if your experiencing all those signs, it would be prudent to take it down. If it was me I wouldn't be able to sleep 'thinking' it could fall through the floor.

 

[jpkrze]

I'm a sound sleeper, probably wouldnt even here it if it did! I know it won't fall through, but it could possibly get the tank out of level, cause the glass to crack / leak etc. Just want to know what warning signs to look for / how long I could leave it there. Will most likely move within 1.5 yrs

 

[Tim Duncan]

Did u check which way the floor joists were running before u installed the tank?

 

[ChrisL1976]

Grab a string the length of your room. Tape it to one end and stretch it to the other end. Set some heavy objects on the ends so you can pull it real tight. See if there is dip in the floor around the tank.

The separation of the hardwood is a definite sign the floor is sagging some.

 

[ChrisL1976]

SECRETLY!!!!! Go bring your downstairs neighbor a plate of cookies and go inside to say hi and catch up. While you are in there, try to take a look at the ceiling below your tank. Check and see if the drywall joints are cracking anywhere.

I would not tell them why you are looking at their ceiling. There are some condo-agreements that don't allow the placement of heavy furniture/objects on second floor units.

 

[Rploaded]

I would plan to get some professional advice very soon.

If you can see ripples when you walk past you really are stressing the floor.

I would seek a structural engineer and talk with the original builder. The plans for the building should show its ratings per sqft.

Don't risk a cracked tank and a ruined neighbors house.....

 

[RyanE]

Agree. Wow..

 

[Addict0Reef]

Your tank weighs approximately 1,800 lbs. The area this load is distributed over is 12.5 sqft, for a total load of 144 lbs/sf. Normally the total design loads for a living room are anywhere from 45 to 55 lbs/sf.

If the joists are running perpendicular to the tank, and the tank is situated over the end of the span of the joists then shear is a concern, particularly with engineered wood products, not so much with dimensional lumber.

If the joists are running parallel to the tank then deflection is a concern, as a previous poster had said this can be measured very easily. The criterion typically is L/360 or L/480, where L=span of joist in inches. Exceeding the deflection criteria makes for a floor that is uncomfortable (think trampoline like with excessive vibration). Interesting to note that larger spans have more allowable deflection, reason should dictate that a better performing floor with larger spans would have deflection criteria of L/540 to L/720.

Hope this little bit of information helps.

 

[fote03]

Drain it till u Talk to the builder...

Don't risk ur fish, tank or neighbor. Could be a law suit waiting to happen.

 

[jpkrze]

Will try to measure for deflection tomorrow. Pretty sure it is running parallel (hardwood floors usually run opposite of the joist direction). The wall its on is only 10.5 ft wide and the tank is dead center. It might be sagging the entire span evenly and be hard to judge the amount.

It's not the hardwood floor thats separating, it's just that now Im starting to see a bit of gap between the baseboard corner molding and the floor. Ultimately I think the tank needs to come down and put into storage or sold.
Question is what size tank could I realistically put up there in the meantime.

 

[Rploaded]

Honestly until you get this checked I would say nothing. The stress damage that is already done may limit your ability to place a tank there.....

 

[jpkrze]

Was hoping to put up a 125G. Figure that would weigh a lot less and also spread the weight better due to being 6 ft long instead of 5. Its only been 6mths so I dont think the damage is that great. The condos were also designed so people either live on the ground floor unit with basement or on a second floor unit with attic. So the second story should have been designed with the purpose of a primary residence. I have two bath tubs, fridge, stove, tile floor, water heater, etc all on the second floor. Also have an HVAC unit in the attic.

 

[Rploaded]

Agreed on designed for use as a residence, not an aquarium. Trust me they do not build floors to support fish tanks as the norm..... Anything over 100g is cause for pause when picking a location.

 

[Casey8]

SECRETLY!!!!! Go bring your downstairs neighbor a plate of cookies and go inside to say hi and catch up. While you are in there, try to take a look at the ceiling below your tank. Check and see if the drywall joints are cracking anywhere.

I would not tell them why you are looking at their ceiling. There are some condo-agreements that don't allow the placement of heavy furniture/objects on second floor units.

That's a brilliant idea !

 

[jpkrze]

Unfortunately the downstairs neighbors aren't really cool and keep to themselves so the cookie thing wont work. The tank is actually situated either right over there entrance doorway or a short distance inside it.

Thinking Im going to look for a used craigslist 125 G (6footer) and put the 185G in storage until I move.

 

[SPotter]

I would definitely take this down asap. Bath tubs when filled are temporary weight...fish tanks are constant weight. If you're a renter....check your lease about large fish tanks. I remember when I was renting all of the leases had something in there about it. I would get that thing drained and out of the house before anything happens that could cause you legal liability or worse....injury to to the people below you. The tank doesnt have to fall thru but if the weight of the causes stress on your floor/their ceiling and the ceiling begins to crack it could fall on them.

 

[jpkrze]

I own the condo and have HO/Condo insurance. Just measured the floor using some string/weights and I don't really see any deflection. I know the hardwood floor was installed withthis thin rubber sound insulation underneath it. Could it be that this material is just being compressed now which is why I see space between the floorboard trim and floor?