Fish tank weight and floor

[skjl47]

Hello; Have a read of this link. It is difficult for someone not actually on the scene to make a judgment about the load capacity of a floor. Too many factors to consider without a "look see". Is the structure compromised by insects, water damage or someone cutting into a load bearing part of the structure.

While you may own your apartment, my take is that you will be liable for any damage to the apartments of others who apparently also "own" their own portions of the building. There also may be building by-laws you are subject to.


http://www.african-cichlid.com/Structure.htm

 

[smitty03281964]

It think it goes without saying that my post is based on the structure not being compromised by water damage, termites, and other factors.

 

[32Bit_Fish]

It think it goes without saying that my post is based on the structure not being compromised by water damage, termites, and other factors.

I agree with what you guys said so far. The super attendant have been working in this building for many years now. He has been the one who fixing leaks, plumbing for all units in this building. He should has the best knowledge about the building structure whether the floor is strong enough to hold 4k lb fish tank.

 

[skjl47]

He should has the best knowledge about the building structure whether the floor is strong enough to hold 4k lb fish tank.

Hello; I follow the logic here. However there may be knowledge gaps between someone who fixes things around a building and someone trained in structure such as an engineer.

Since you posed the question here on the forum, I am going to assume you welcome various points of view rather than folks just telling you what you wish to hear. My suggestion is to hire a bonded structural engineer who will give you a written report and sign his/her name to it. The engineer's opinion may, in fact, be of no more real value than the super's. However an engineer has for sure been trained to know about such things. A lot of liability is going to ride on what you decide to do.

May I also suggest an insurance policy with specific language to cover water damage from an aquarium. By that I mean a rider or some such that you and the agent "discuss" that deals with the aquarium if it floods the building as well as doing structural damage.

Good luck

 

[32Bit_Fish]

Hello; I follow the logic here. However there may be knowledge gaps between someone who fixes things around a building and someone trained in structure such as an engineer.

Since you posed the question here on the forum, I am going to assume you welcome various points of view rather than folks just telling you what you wish to hear. My suggestion is to hire a bonded structural engineer who will give you a written report and sign his/her name to it. The engineer's opinion may, in fact, be of no more real value than the super's. However an engineer has for sure been trained to know about such things. A lot of liability is going to ride on what you decide to do.

May I also suggest an insurance policy with specific language to cover water damage from an aquarium. By that I mean a rider or some such that you and the agent "discuss" that deals with the aquarium if it floods the building as well as doing structural damage.

Good luck

Thanks for the suggestions. All comments/suggestions are welcomed. It seems to be a risk putting that size fish tank on the floor. No wonder many ppl have big tanks in basements or in a ground level room. It makes sense.

 

[pops]

if it was a 125g, I would more than likes say go for it, but as I stated you get into the 200g range, on a 5th floor things need to be looked at. cover your arse.

 

[smitty03281964]

Also 4k pounds across 5 joist is not a lot of wait.

 

[32Bit_Fish]

Ok, I just checked the full tank weight for a 225G. It comes out 2147 pound. It's still very heavy.

The problem is I do not know where are the joist located in my room.

 

[skjl47]

Ok, I just checked the full tank weight for a 225G. It comes out 2147 pound. It's still very heavy.

The problem is I do not know where are the joist located in my room.

hello; Did you add the weight of the tank, stand, substrate and other equipment?

 

[skjl47]

Also 4k pounds across 5 joist is not a lot of wait.

Hello; It seems enough to be significant as a static load over time even set on joists at the perpendicular . Also the OP does not appear to know which way the joists run per his recent post. What if the tank is set parallel to the joists. I estimate a weight of somewhere around 2700 pounds possible for such a tank setup with all stuff. There will also be the other stuff we have in our homes.

To be confident enough to say such a tank would not have issues in an apartment, I would have to be on the scene and take a real good look at all the structure from the apartment down to the ground. As the bones of the building may be hidden by coverings such as drywall or such, it may not be possible to evaluate.

What if someone has cut into structure for some reason? I found compromised floor joists in my current house. The joists had been notched and weakened. I wound up sistering in new joists. The basement was not finished so I could see the issue. I happen to own this house which is a single dwelling home. The OP has neighbors who also own their portions of the same building. A mistake on the fifth floor can do damage to the levels below.