Aquarium through the floor?

**Dan F** · 02-06-2008, 5:42 PM

I have read a lot of posts where people have concerns about big tanks and the structural integrity of their houses. I personally have a 300 (96Lx24Wx30H) set up in the second floor of a 65 year old building. I tend to think it would have to be a pretty rickety house to have a problem. A standard (50 gallon) water heater weighs about 500 lbs over an area of about 3 square feet = 166 lbs/square foot. My 300 weighs about 2800 lbs over an area of 16 square feet = 175 lbs/square foot. Not that different...

All that said, has anyone ever had a tank crash through a floor?

**DanProwse** · 02-06-2008, 6:11 PM

i've never heard of any, i dont know what everyones worried about unless its like 2000G on the 2nd floor

**Dan F** · 02-06-2008, 6:15 PM

Originally Posted by DanProwse;1491941;

i've never heard of any, i dont know what everyones worried about unless its like 2000G on the 2nd floor

Anybody got a story (better yet, pix!) about a catastrophic floor failure to prove us wrong?

**sicxspeed** · 02-06-2008, 6:18 PM

Man, i hear these worries all the time, never heard of any really happening. Let me know cuz I really want to put a 180 or 240

**DanProwse** · 02-06-2008, 6:24 PM

after a quick browse on google ive found no evidence of tanks falling through floors

**night flight** · 02-06-2008, 6:25 PM

Dan
I think to answer your question the type and thickness of the flooring as well as joist size, span, and spacing would be needed .With that being said the odds are if this tank is positioned near a wall that is joist bearing you have no problem

**DanProwse** · 02-06-2008, 6:29 PM

i'm pretty sure even the worst made houses could hold at least a 240 - 300G on the second floor no problems if placed correctly

**Dan F** · 02-06-2008, 6:33 PM

Originally Posted by night flight;1491988;

Dan
I think to answer your question the type and thickness of the flooring as well as joist size, span, and spacing would be needed .With that being said the odds are if this tank is positioned near a wall that is joist bearing you have no problem

You're absolutely right.

But I still wonder if anyone has set up a really monster tank that crashed through the floor!

Placed parallel to the joists mid-span on undersized, widely-spaced joists of questionable material, perhaps?

**night flight** · 02-07-2008, 6:33 AM

Placed parallel to the joists mid-span on undersized, widely-spaced joists of questionable material, perhaps?

Wonder if one actually did this if they would have the guts to admit to it???/

**Bud8Fan** · 02-07-2008, 7:56 AM

I reinforced my floor for my 300 as I don't want to be first on google. Another advantage is that the reinforcing reduced the "bouncing effect" of the floor. This is great peace of mind, especially with kids.

A standard (50 gallon) water heater weighs about 500 lbs over an area of about 3 square feet = 166 lbs/square foot. My 300 weighs about 2800 lbs over an area of 16 square feet = 175 lbs/square foot. Not that different...

The weight is then transfered to the floor and subfloor before it reaches the joists. That water heater is exerting much less than 166 lbs/sqft at the joists as the flooring spreads the weight.