Tank on Second Floor

[shadofax69]

I was jost wondering everyone's opinion on putting a 50 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump on the second floor. It will be close to one of the central load bearing walls of the house. Also would a piece of foam under the stand make the tank level. The tank will be going on carpet and it is extreamly tall when it is on the stand so I want to make sure the tank is nice and level so my son cannot tip it over.

Thanks,

 

[AllenFord_SC]

I don't think you will have a problem placing that tank upstairs given it is close to a load bearing wall. The total weight should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 - 1000 lbs. As far as your son pulling it over, you could mount some sort of bracket to the wall and attach it internally to the stand.

 

[scrmbld33]

you should not have trouble. my sis hs a 92 corner on the second floor no trouble

 

[AllenFord_SC]

sorry i meant 600 to 800 lbs.

 

[iCam]

It really depends on the age and construction style of the house, and the placement of the tank in regards to the floor joists.

For the most part, I think it will be perfectly fine. I had my 58g in my room upstairs without any problems, and there are several members who said they have tanks that are quite a bit larger upstairs.

 

[shadofax69]

ok great, thanks for the quick response guys. What would be a good way to attach the brackets from the wall to the stand. I am have to have enough room behind the stand for my overflow and return plumbing. I might also install a closed loop that will be behind the stand so would a box made out of 2 x 4's do the trick one side screwed into the wall studs and the other into the stand. Also does anyone have any experience with using foam as a leveling device.

Thanks

 

[AllenFord_SC]

You could cut a 2x4 a little, not much, short than the interior length of your stand. Mount the brackets to either end of the 2x4, then mount the 2x4 to the wall. Then just simple bolt or screw the brackets to the inside of your stand. Does this make sense? It did in my head. Also about the foam..... just about every large tank thread you will read on here is using the pink foam that you can get at Hell Depot.

Hope this Helps,

Allen

 

[Jeepman3sk]

watch the floor i had a little problems with my 45 on the second floor but i ended up putting a piece of ply wood under it to distrube the weight.

 

[shadofax69]

Does it have to be pink foam to level the tank or does the blue or white stuff work. The only difference I have noticed in the foams is the density but I dont know that will effects its ability to level the aquarium.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

I just noted from many threads that the pink foam is the preffered type. Not sure of the difference.

 

[stevebydac]

I had a 75 on the 2nd floor of two different houses. No problem. I now have a 180 on the 2nd floor for the past 8 years -- I believe it is across a steel beam though, but still -- a little tank like yours is nothing on a 2nd floor.

 

[integlikewhoa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6587417#post6587417 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stevebydac
I believe it is across a steel beam though.

Thats a big difference. How did you manage to find a large steel beam in your house?

 

[cato]

How old is the house and how old is your son. If the tank is close to a load bearing wall it shouldn't be a problem. As for tipping the tank...how close to the back wall is it?

 

[shadofax69]

The house is 18 years old and my son is 1. The tank will only be about 4 to 5 inches from the wall. I was thinking of using the 2x4 idea mentioned above to anchor the stand to the wall.

 

[JRod]

Don't think tipping over the tank is an issue at around 800 lbs, your kid has to really get his back behind it. And as with most tanks, people have them up against a wall.

As for weight, there should really be no problem. Known people that have had 180's and 220's on a second floor of an older home and never had an issue.

Only issue comes if you have a leak, then having a tank on a second floor isn't as good of an idea as you thought it was.

 

[shadofax69]

Yeah I tought about the leak and that would suck. I had a tank that had a leak once that was on the first floor but I had a basement. luckly I caught it after about 3 or 4 gallons or I could have had a huge mess since the leak was on the very bottom of a 50 gallon tank.

 

[cato]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6587846#post6587846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jrodrig692
Don't think tipping over the tank is an issue at around 800 lbs, your kid has to really get his back behind it. And as with most tanks, people have them up against a wall.

As for weight, there should really be no problem. Known people that have had 180's and 220's on a second floor of an older home and never had an issue.

Only issue comes if you have a leak, then having a tank on a second floor isn't as good of an idea as you thought it was.

jrodrig hit the nail on the head. Follow his advice. Tipping and weight shouldn't be an issue.

 

[woogie]

I was wondering the same thing. I'm in a second story condo, and want to upgrade to a 180. Think I'll be ok, if I increase my water damage insurance???

 

[woogie]

Besides, isn't a queen sized waterbed about 200 gallons, and in the middle of the floor???