Simple Question About Large Aquariums On Second Floor

[12 Volt Man]

EDIT: Yes, your assumption is correct--- a longer/wider tank will distribute weight more evenly than a tall one.

but keep in mind that this only applies to stands that have perimeter contact only.

if, like me, you have steel tube stands that have legs, the aquarium dimensions make no difference.

all the weight is still distributed on 4 legs, whether the tank is 6 feet or 3 feet.

in cases like this, a basement is the best place because the weight is VERY concentrated on the points of contact with the legs.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; About the concrete floor. I recall reading, perhaps in one of the addresses I sent, that some concrete floors in apartment buildings are not very thick and do not offer much difference from a wooden floor in terms of strength. Since you are familiar with carpet re-stretching, perhaps you can find a place where water, power, or some other item is run thru the floor. Also it may be that in the basement, lower levels, of the building you can get a clue as to howw the floors are built if it is unfinished. I am just guessing at this point

 

[Jon M]

If your building rectangular rather than square the joist's will run parallel with the two shortest of the four outside walls, ALWAY'S. this is to keep the span between bearing point's to a minimum, And yes a wider tank is going to spread the weight out. I've been remodeling homes for fifteen years.

Not really sure on the shape of the building but I guess it's rectangle after checking it out on internet satellite. Here's an image of the building. The red dot marks my second floor apartment. So from looking at this picture you are saying these joints would run left to right using the picture as reference right? So if my tank is running NOT parallel those joints would that be what I'm trying to accomplish? Here's an image of the basic layout of the apartment and where I plan on running the tank. Now the one end of the tank that touches that wall, that's an outside wall and is cement brick so I know it's got a wall directly underneath it that's also cement bricks. That inside wall, I also know there is a wall underneath it because I've seen inside my downstairs neighbor's window.



Again, this is where the other tank currently is, except caddy cornered. EDIT: Oh, and if you flip the apt layout image (180 degrees) it's correct with the other picture as far as where the door is located.

but keep in mind that this only applies to stands that have perimeter contact only.

if, like me, you have steel tube stands that have legs, the aquarium dimensions make no difference.

all the weight is still distributed on 4 legs, whether the tank is 6 feet or 3 feet.

in cases like this, a basement is the best place because the weight is VERY concentrated on the points of contact with the legs.

Very good point. Luckily for me this is a generic store bought stand that has just been reinforced on the inside with 2x4. (don't those generic store bought 125g stands always look so flimsy? They do to me!) So it contacts ground all around the edges and not just at the corner feet.

Hello; About the concrete floor. I recall reading, perhaps in one of the addresses I sent, that some concrete floors in apartment buildings are not very thick and do not offer much difference from a wooden floor in terms of strength. Since you are familiar with carpet re-stretching, perhaps you can find a place where water, power, or some other item is run thru the floor. Also it may be that in the basement, lower levels, of the building you can get a clue as to howw the floors are built if it is unfinished. I am just guessing at this point

We're in Florida. No basement here buddy. I just wanted to pull the corner up to see what type of flooring was under there. I've been reading, reading, reading on the internet on this subject and generally from what I've read in the U.S. with the building code standards or whatever anything up to 125g "should" be fine on an upper floor.

 

[Glabe]

I've seen inside my downstairs neighbor's window.

giggety!

if i were you, after all this hassle, i'd be to the point of not caring anymore and just setting it up anyway

 

[Jon M]

giggety!

if i were you, after all this hassle, i'd be to the point of not caring anymore and just setting it up anyway

Realistically I'm not extremely worried about it considering I know my current 125g acrylic tank is much heavier than this new one and is only 4.5' long and sits up here fine. Also, the stand is actually corner legs with just a 2x4 wrapped around the bottom so realistically, it's mainly dividing most of the weight amongst 4 legs so I doubt I'll have any problems.

That being said I'm going to be putting this one NOT caddy corner to the walls like this one currently is and I'm just trying to be extra cautious. I'm like the most unlucky guy ever so I'll be the one to wake up in the middle of the night to a big bang. Knock on wood.

 

[Bderick67]

being an outside wall does help a little because you know there's a wall underneath it to help support the weight. i'd be too scared to put thousands of pounds by an inside wall if i wasn't sure there was a wall beneath it to help support it

If the wall is running parallel with the floor joists then that wall underneath does not support the joists, understand?

 

[Bderick67]

If your building rectangular rather than square the joist's will run parallel with the two shortest of the four outside walls, ALWAY'S. this is to keep the span between bearing point's to a minimum, And yes a wider tank is going to spread the weight out. I've been remodeling homes for fifteen years.

Not always, and for sure not in my house. Steal beams run the shortest length of the house. The floor joists run the longest length across the steal beams.

 

[Jon M]

So with my floor there is obviously that concrete and then that is held up by steel beams?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Replacing a 125 with a 125 and no dramatic structural issues with the first tank. Any future structrual issues will likely be of the sagging/ deformation type that may happen over time. The more likely liability item may be a leak. Water damage to a few apartments can be expensive. I kept renters insurance in force before I bought a house. This will not stop the knock on your door, but may offer some peace of mind.

 

[Jon M]

Hello; Replacing a 125 with a 125 and no dramatic structural issues with the first tank. Any future structrual issues will likely be of the sagging/ deformation type that may happen over time. The more likely liability item may be a leak. Water damage to a few apartments can be expensive. I kept renters insurance in force before I bought a house. This will not stop the knock on your door, but may offer some peace of mind.

I was going to look into maybe a 6 or 12 month rental insurance plan but honestly we don't plan to be in this apartment by the end of the year anyhow so I think it would likely be a waste of money/time in the long run since we plan to be moved to another state by the end of the year.