75 gallon reef 3rd floor apt building

[tylr9m482]

Hey guys,

So I have a question for you. I am looking to move and doing so am building a 75 gallon reef with a 55 gallon sump. I have only been looking at first floor apts for the most part, however, I found a very reasonable and nice 3rd floor studio that is two blocks from my job and seeing as I don't have a car location is key. It isn't my first choice but is it safe to keep on my list? Does any one think I will have a problem with my size tank on a 3rd floor? I'd hate for my tank to fall into someone else's living room :hmm4:

Thanks!

 

[jayball]

You are looking at 1200-1300 lbs total, assuming a half full sump, over 6 ish square feet.

To cover your bases you may want to talk to the building manager about this before you sign a lease.

 

[geckoejon]

not sure about the weight. but...

a lot of places have a clause that states no aquariums. there are several possible issues for the apartment people's point of view. first you have weight, and you also have the possibility of leaks. there was someone on here a couple months ago that almost lost his place because his tank sprung a leak. he had to get rid of the tank in literally a day or be evicted. just food for thought...

 

[codyreed29]

I bought some fish from a guy in houston who had a 90 or 75 gallon on the third floor.

So i guess it depends I would ask the apartments just me. Then i would talk to someone in maintence about load baring walls and find such a place with one of them to put the aquarium.

 

[Mark SF]

In San Francisco, where just finding a place is a nightmare, I scored a great apartment in the Marina (terrible earthquake zone, literally built over what used to be the ocean). I asked the landlord about an aquarium and luckily he said no problem. I am on the second floor in a building built in 1932 and so far I haven't seen any sagging or other potential issues arise, even after a 6.0 earthquake a few weeks ago that occurred about an hour north.

We put the aquarium in the lease, so it is documented. I think this is really important because I carry renter's insurance and my concern was if it wasn't documented and I was liable for 100's of thousands of dollars in damages they may not cover the tank if it wasn't allowed to begin with. BTW, my renter's policy is for 500,000 in liability.

I sleep better knowing that if something goes wrong, at least I have all the coverage a responsible renter should have. This may not protect me however...

I know you can't change tanks now, but I had my tank custom built with 1/2" glass and Euro bracing top and bottom on a small 75G tank. I wanted to be confident that it was built as well as possible while maintaining aesthetics.

-Mark

 

[tylr9m482]

Thanks guys. Thats all very good food for thought. It looks like I am not going to get the 3rd floor apt I was looking at when posting this but I'm still in the hunt. Hopefully I can find a 1st floor and not have to worry as much. But putting the tank in the lease and getting a good amount of renter's insurance seems like two great ideas. All they places I have talked to say a fish tank is no problem, however they probably don't know the half of what is involved.

 

[Mark SF]

Thanks guys. Thats all very good food for thought. It looks like I am not going to get the 3rd floor apt I was looking at when posting this but I'm still in the hunt. Hopefully I can find a 1st floor and not have to worry as much. But putting the tank in the lease and getting a good amount of renter's insurance seems like two great ideas. All they places I have talked to say a fish tank is no problem, however they probably don't know the half of what is involved.

You're right, they are thinking about the fish you win at the carnival or the fish tank that magically (doesn't) grows your herbs right in your kitchen! I actually went to school with the guy that made those, bought one and it failed miserably....anyway....:deadhorse:

This is why when something goes wrong and you're prepared with insurance, it hopefully doesn't hit home as hard. Again, there is no guarantee that renter's insurance will cover it, however, if it is a LIABILITY against you, it should.

Good luck finding a new place. I hate apartment hunting...

-Mark

 

[Khayyam123]

I know you can't change tanks now, but I had my tank custom built with 1/2" glass and Euro bracing top and :deadhorse1: bottom on a small 75G tank. I wanted to be confident that it was built as well as possible while maintaining aesthetics.

 

[liven learn]

I had a 135 on a 3rd story of an old apartment. Not only that but when I filled it I put it the opposite way that the beams were supposed to be going. Turns out I put it parallel with them. The whole tank was on 1 beam in the center of the tank. It stayed that way for a month. It was fine but scary. I then moved it to the other side so the 6 foot tank was supported over a few beams. It was fine.