Weight a factor

[keri2000]

So after this weekend of hell in my condo complex, we have decided to move north and away from the armpit of Colorado Springs.

After taking a peak at some condos it struck me that the weight of a larger fish tank may be a concern. At max we will get a 90 (maaayyyybbbeeee a 125). I don't want to live on the bottom floor with someone above us, so will the weight of a 90/125 gallon tank be a big concern if we get an upper unit? If so, we'll have to get a townhouse or a house with a finished basement, right?

Thanks,
Keri

 

[racer69]

You will need to talk to your realtor and have them check into it. You will usually be fine if your tank runs perpendicular to the floor joists. My 180 with 50 sump and oak stand are on the ground floor with a finished basement, and there are no troubles. People have waterbeds and such in condos all the time without wieght troubles (although more spread out). Just do some checking and you will be fine.

 

[el chupacabra]

Water weighs something like 8.2 lbs/ gal.

So a 120 gal tank would weigh 985 lbs of water plus whatever the tank by itself weighs (1060 ?).

I try to think of it as in how many people does the tank weigh.
That would be like 4 football players standing at the corners of your tank and one standing in the middle...

 

[prplfirefish]

Only thing I can think of Kari is if you are on the second or third level and someone is below you you better hope that sump doesn't overflow--AS WE KNOW--drip drip drip
Trac

 

[keri2000]

Only thing I can think of Kari is if you are on the second or third level and someone is below you you better hope that sump doesn't overflow--AS WE KNOW--drip drip drip
Trac


LOL, yes that is probably a bigger factor!!

 

[reefkoi]

Just do it! I've seen 240 gallon reefs on the 3rd floor of an apartment with a 150 gallon sump next to it. I also had my 180 in the apartment I had mine near the exterior wall so I was as close to the load bearing wall as I could be. 100 gallons or less I'd put on any wall though. The real issue is leaks I believe. Just plumb it well and try not to spill a ton of water.

 

[Thurge]

It might also help if you talk to your downstairs neighbors. They may have a different layout to the appt. and you could put your tank over one of their walls.
And have a standing agreement that if they see water you are the first one they call.

Be careful about who you talk to as some appt. complex don't allow waterbeds or fishtanks because of the potential of leaks.

 

[aquaman2000]

That sump was actually 300 gallons… But your right Chris did only have about 150 gallon of water in it.

Keri,
If you are concerned about the weight, the best thing to do is take a stud finder and figure out which way the floor joists are running. Then place the tank at 90 degree angle or “perpendicular” to the joists. This will distribute the load of the tank over more of the load bearing structure of the building. In addition, if you are considering a six foot aquarium, get the largest that fits in the foot print you are interested in. For example, the 125 gallon is 72” X 18” and only 22” tall. With the same foot print you can go up to 150 gallons at 29” tall. The extra water will add more stability to your aquarium, the equipment you will need is practically the same and with the same amount of live rock, you will have more room for your corals to grow into. Also a greater viewing area.

Like reefKoi said, I had a 240 gallon reef with a 300 gallon sump side by side on a third story apartment with no problems other than we had to hoist the tank up the side of the building to get in…. but so what.

Any size you decide to go with will be fine in your new home.

Have a great day

Scott

 

[reefkoi]

Scott you are the man, not too many guys in this world have the cajones to place 540 gallons in a 3rd story apartment!
Humbly,
Chris

 

[Madman133]

You could always move up here to CR. We have some nice condos and you get the best of the fish stores being able to go to both Denver and Coloraod Springs stores(yeah it is a longer drive to get to any store at all but there is a greater selection too) IDK just throughing it out there...Castle Rock is a nice place to live but im not sure about your job etc...

 

[aquaman2000]

Chris,

I think it was more challenging when you, Tim, Arthur, myself and some others hoisted the aquarium and stand up the side of the building and then cantilevered it into the apartment.

I always wondered what the downstairs neighbors thought when they looked out there windows.

Mmmmmmm the good old days.