View Full Version : Weight of tank
Can anyone please tell me if it is possible to keep a 300 gallon tank in an upper floor apartment? What are the standard weight limits?
tomm10
10-31-2003, 2:33 PM
I THINK the standard code for floor loads is something in the vicinity of 250lbs per square foot. That being said, you should try to find out what the code is in your area.
If your tank is roughly 8'x2' that spreads the roughly 3,000-4,000lbs of the tank and contents over an area of about 16 sf which should be rated to hold 4,000lbs.
I would think that cuts it close enough to verify the constructed floor loads with your landlord.
Captain Hook
10-31-2003, 2:33 PM
I couldn't tell you weight limits of your apartment or anything but I do know as a general rule tanks weight about 10-12 pounds per gallon. That is a ton of weight and the safest thing to do might be to the building management and see what they say.
SimonWoodstock
10-31-2003, 2:53 PM
300 gallons is 40.1 cubic feet. At 62.4 lbs. per cubic foot...the "water only" would be 2502.5 lbs. Then add your stand, tank, blah blah blah. The limit for aquariums is probably diff. in most appartments. Ask someone in charge.
Good luck gettin one that big on the top floor!:D
karfixer
10-31-2003, 7:45 PM
300 gallons! No way. You are talking about 3000 lbs- think a mid-sized car. Even with the tank lined up with the floor joists near bearing walls, it is going to be a disaster waiting to happen-the standard is 40lbs per square foot- so a well designed stand that evenly distributes weight will have to be 75 square feet (that's 10 feet long X 7-1/2 feet wide) If the contractor cut some corners with the wood, or there is some dry rot (or water damage) then this is going to go up. If you live in an area with seismic activity (read earthquakes) then that will change-moving weight requires much more support. click here http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/aquarium_weight.php for the best article I've found on this topic. Finally, I doubt the landlord/manage will allow it and any damage will be on YOU-talk to someone about renter's insurance and related coverage.
Thank you for that link, it was very helpful. I have already cleared it with my landlord, but personally I am extremely skeptical because I have never heard of anyone doing it outside of commercial buildings. Does anyone in the forum have experience with larger tanks in apartments? I would really hate to part with my fish, but I don't think I can cut it with anything much smaller.
travelinman1969
10-31-2003, 11:48 PM
Hey DWF,
My 150 gallon weighs nearly 2000 lbs. I have it on the second floor of a house and I reinforced the floor, the lower floor is a finished basement. 300 gallon, with no supports below? I wouldn't chance it. That's a lot of weight with nothing below it. However, if you can find the plans and there is a closet below where you want to put it, then you'll be okay, but if there isn't any support, I wouldn't do it. Good Luck.
jmottle
10-31-2003, 11:57 PM
Without getting an Engineer to look at it, I would not want to risk that much weight. My house is only 4 years old and I had an Engineer check the location of my new 90 gallon, about 1400lbs with the stand and a full tank, and I was told I would be putting the beam at 90% of it's safe load. The tank is also perpendicular to the joints and sitting almost on top of a beam. A 300 gallon is going to need some serious reinforcing. BTW it only cost me 85 bucks to have them sign off on my house plans. Could be different if you don't have the plans for your apartmen though.
travelinman: Would you mind telling me about how much it cost you to get the floor reinforced?
travelinman1969
11-01-2003, 11:17 PM
About $20 in Lumber and some screws. Ain't pretty but works. Don't think you'll have that option if there is another apartment downstarirs.
i definately wouldn't risk it in an older house, and i seriously doubt i'd do it on ANY wood construction home without some sort of bracing.
i dont know about you guys but the image im getting of a fish tank crashing thru the floor down to the neighbors apt is pretty funny!
dwf73
11-02-2003, 11:49 AM
Haha I definitely agree- but the initial funniness would probably wear off once I have to take care of the mess-and the poor fish. Thank you so much to all the people who gave me suggestions on this, I think I am going to go with a 55 gallon and sell my larger fish or give them away. The risk associated just isnt worth it. I hope the 55 will be without incident, I am pretty sure it will. Thanks again