240 gallon on the 2nd floor

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I didn't read the whole thread so sorry if I'm saying what's already been said. Here's what I know about weight and floors.

A floor of a typical home has to be rated to hold between 12 and 15psi, that's the code. Now, let's assume we're using the tank I'm about to buy, a 240 gallon 8x2x2 tank.

With a proper stand that's NOT on castors (the base sits square on the floor), the weight of the tank spread out over a 8x2 surface area roughly equals 1.3psi. Basically that means I could hold a HUGE tank on a standard home floor without any worries, my 240 is nowhere near over the limit.
 
Oh, I forgot, I based the weight on a tank constructed from 5/8" tempered glass, 300lbs of substrate, a few heavy rocks and the full 240g of water, which is unrealistic considering there's stuff in the tank.

The only thing not measured in is the weight of the oak stand, so perhaps 1.5psi is exerted max.
 
for me the most important thing is your back... lower back pain will develop and become chronic (life long) pain. use back supports, proper positioning... we all thing we're superman when we are young, think twice! :eek:
a friend of mind did the same thing... not aquarium but something else.. due to his ego... he ended up having a slip disc and a spinal surgery due to chronic back pain... have as many people to help you. with regards to the weight and the second floor.. well you said it was concrete... then it seems their is no problem... watch your back bone... no amount of money can replace that :D
if i were you get an acrylic.. cost more but worth it...thank your health... just a friendly advice. :naughty:
 
i havnt read all the replies but i personalliy would thik about mounting the stand tight to a solid wall but use some sort of fixings to anchor it to wall
this would reduce the downforce ojn the floor
 
oh yeah and also what about building in acrylic
you would only have to carry seperate peices up and build it in situ
 
As long as the stand sits fluch with the floor (no legs, castors, etc) you should be able to put a 500g or greater on the 2nd floor easily.

Just remember to do the math and measure the psi of the entire system. And if the stand has legs, be very careful how you do the calculations.
 
i live on the third floor of an oldish building, i craned my tank through a main window and put the tank near one of the main builing pillars and 4 months down the line nd a tremor later its still all good. my tank is 268gal by the way.
 
I NEVER THINK ABOUT SH*T LIKE THIS I JUST DO IT
 
i think it would work fine.. many people have waterbeds on second floors ...granted the weight is spread out more but they do fine
 
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