240 Gallon in Apartment?

[The-Almighty-Zugs]

Hey guys, so I'm having a 240 gallon acrylic aquarium built (96Lx24Wx24H) but will be moving into an apartment in a year or so. I am wondering, can I even put a 240 gallon in an apartment? Would I HAVE to be on ground floor? Could I live on 2nd or 3rd?

 

[esoxlucius]

If it's a rented apartment you'll need permission off the landlord. Ground floor is usually best for large tanks. And have you thought about the logistics of carrying a large tank up a floor or two, not necessarily weightwise if it's acrylic, but just the awkwardness if there's lots of corners and/or narrow passages/doorways?

However, number one priority if it's not on the ground floor, if you don't know what you're looking for, is to get a structural guy in to assess the situation.

 

[Backfromthedead]

All of the apartment complexes ive lived at usually have restrictions on tank size regardless of level, and unfortunately its usually around 50 gallons.

But...ive found that the general population is pretty ignorant these days regarding things like aquarium size. If the administrators of your particular complex aren't that bright or dont inspect too often, they might very well mistake your large tank for one quite a bit smaller. Thats certainly a risky idea though. An 8' 240 will be a hard sell for less than 50 gallons lol.

 

[BichirKing]

I had to have specific renters insurance for the tank. it was a 150g on a second floor. best thing to do is be upfront with them about it.

 

[fishhead0103666]

If you’re caught lying then it could be enough for the landlord to evict you depending on the lease you signed. Go for it at your own risk.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Perhaps i came off suggesting the op engage in criminal mischief. What i meant to say is they might be able to squeeze a few gallons in and most likely nothing would come of it.

I certainly wasnt saying get a huge tank, lie about it, do a poor job setting it up and summarily flood the whole complex.

But i will say: inspect the rental agreement in detail. If it doesnt say anything about fish tanks then why say anything about it? My experience with these things is that a landlord will usually get alarmed and outright reject anything with even a small risk associated with it.

The renters insurance is a good idea though. In the event that anything does happen you'll be covered.

 

[fishhead0103666]

I wonder if limit was say 100 gallons then could you get a 1,000 gallon and only fill it 1/10 of the way?

 

[Jexnell]

Most aptments only allow 50gal tanks at the most if they let them in at all. The 50gal limit is around the same weight as your bath tub filled with an average size adult in it.
You may have better luck if you look at lower end apartments owned by a person and not a big corporation.

 

[Oughtsix]

But i will say: inspect the rental agreement in detail. If it doesnt say anything about fish tanks then why say anything about it? My experience with these things is that a landlord will usually get alarmed and outright reject anything with even a small risk associated with it.

The renters insurance is a good idea though. In the event that anything does happen you'll be covered.

The landlords own a multi-hundred thousand dollar building. They have a right to and should be very concerned about what goes into it! It is your job to show them that you are a responsible tenant and will be a contentious steward of their property. Sneaking in a 240g tank is not a good way to gain the trust of the land lords! Volunteering to get the fore mentioned "Aquarium" insurance would go an incredibly long way in nurturing trust if I were a landlord.

 

[fishhead0103666]

I read something in a landlording book about a type of insurance a landlord can get that covers the rent loss if something happens to an area that the landlord is renting out for several months up to a year I think it was. I can get that book again and find it.
Anyway, if it comes down to it then op could potentially offer to pay for that insurance so there is very little risk for the landlord.