120w 0r can I go 180?

[MonsterMinis]

Moving into an appartment here, and we got the A okay for fish. other then re-checking the lease for water beds... we're on the 1st floor w/ a full basement underneath us. I took a gander at the ceilling as we toured the place. and the floors look solid, and braces look metal. I know squat about construction. But it looks alot more solid then the house i'm living in nows support structure. brick 2 story structure. Does anyone know if I'm in the clear weight wise or have a good estimate? If it makes a difference the tank will be bare bottom and pvc pipes w/ a few pieces of driftwood for deco.

 

[dawnmarie]

If they allow waterbeds and if it is installed on an exterior load bearing wall perpendicular to the floor joists you should be OK. I would still check with the landlord for specific permission.

 

[12 Volt Man]

the problem with water beds vs big fish tanks is that water beds are spread out over a huge area, and are only about 12" high. a 180 or 120g is 24" tall so the weight is far more concentrated.

so its tough to use that as a comparison.

that being said, if the braces underneath the area where the tank will be are metal, this is probably a good thing. can you post pics?

its better to be sure that you won't run into floor sagging issues with the weight of a 180g tank in one spot for several years.

perhaps some experienced MFKer's can help?

 

[dawnmarie]

the problem with water beds vs big fish tanks is that water beds are spread out over a huge area, and are only about 12" high. a 180 or 120g is 24" tall so the weight is far more concentrated.

so its tough to use that as a comparison.

That's all true enough, but , It's a safe bet that if they don't allow waterbeds they're not going to allow an aquarium of that size regardless who thinks what about the structure supporting the floor.

In the final analysis it is up to the landlord to decide.

If any of that sounds overly harsh, sorry, it is a product of getting old and owning rental properties.

BTW, I would allow a large aquarium in my properties as long as the tenant names me additional insured on their policy and I am consulted and sign off on the location of the tank.

 

[12 Volt Man]

That's all true enough, but , It's a safe bet that if they don't allow waterbeds they're not going to allow an aquarium of that size regardless who thinks what about the structure supporting the floor.

true, but my point was that they may allow water beds but would not allow a large aquarium because of the difference in weight concentration.

a floor that could concievably handle a water bed without sagging may not be able to handle a 150+ gallon tank on the same floor without sagging/doing damage over time.

I think its a safe bet though that weight is probably not what they are concerned about (even though they should be). its probably more water damage if it ever leaked...

one problem with asking the landlord is that 99.9% of the time they will have no idea just how large a 180g tank really is until they see it in person.

they might say "oh yeah, no problem (thinking its something like a 35g or something in terms of size)"

then...if they see the tank, they flip out and make you get rid of it.....

 

[dawnmarie]

true, but my point was that they may allow water beds but would not allow a large aquarium because of the difference in weight concentration.

Got it.
Doubt it, but I got it.
That is a landlord who has not thought this through completely.

The reality is, and or could be the opposite.
The weight of a California King (which I have owned) can be in excess of 2000 lbs concentrated on a base of 4' x 5' situated one foot off the wall and extending six feet off the wall away from a load bearing wall and in the middle of a potentially unsupported span. Anyone who thinks this is a better scenario needs to stop and think about it. Most aquariums are not in the middle of a room.

I think its a safe bet though that weight is probably not what they are concerned about (even though they should be). its probably more water damage if it ever leaked...

This could easily be true, unfortunate , but true

they might say "oh yeah, no problem (thinking its something like a 35g or something in terms of size)"

then...if they see the tank, they flip out and make you get rid of it.....

The site is called "MONSTER FISH KEEPERS". You want to keep a 35 gallon tank ? Go Ahead.
If you want to be a "responsible" MFK and don't own your own home, you owe something to your landlord for the liability that you are asking him/her to accept.

If you want to do something like this, do your home work. If your landlord doesn't agree, find a different rental.

No hard feelings friend, we just have different perspectives.

Ok, I got my flame suit on, Take your best shot.
I give extra points for spelling and grammar. hehe !

 

[MonsterMinis]

This is exactly why I'm asking.. found out waterbeds aren't allowed BTW. The plan is to put it on a load bearing wall/joists ect .. I'm just trying to figure out a gallonage that would be realistically reasonable. and I know a few friends who've had 125's in their appartments just fine, hence the asking.

hate to tick the landlady off. She had a previous tennent in the building that had a tank leak. knock on wood I've been lucky and never had a tank bust a seal or have any major leaks. So I want to be upfront w/ her about the tank size ect.

 

[dawnmarie]

Honesty is always the best policy.
If she won't allow it in the apartment maybe she will she let you use the basement.