is 250 gal possible on a third floor?

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leg89

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 18, 2006
306
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quebec, quebec, canada
hi there! i've been lookin for DIY plans of 250-300 gals wooden tank and i was ready to start my knew project when i just had this flash: will the floor support it?!!!! ssshhhhhiiiiitttt! i've been lookin a long time and i started collecting my materials, but if i dont want it do end on floor beneth, i should ask before.

the BIG problem is that im in an appartment. ohhhh yeah....i know....not the best idea. u wanna know worst? im on a 3rd floor. the cherry on the sundae? no concrete in the floors, its and old appartment. whoho!!!what have i got into...

well, da good thing is that im not INTO it yet. but thats a MAJOR point i cant figure how i didn't think of.

im askin for your opinion. i actually have a 77 gals n everytin's ok. how big can my tank be without takin too much risks to make da 2 levels beneth me be flooded? i know it must depend on many parameters, so what are they?
what do i must check for to know if my project is still possible? is it better if instaled in a corner, next to two building walls? need info pleaz

tanks alot

nic
 
i was reading and thught... and is it a concreet floor... then i found out that it isnt and thought crap..., you could go with a thiner longer tank that spreads out more along the joists to distribute the weight... like a 10'long tank would be nice just not a wide or tall one...

You need to figure out how to distribute the weight as buch as posable and than if you acomplish that your ok... Most wood floors are made to withstand 200lb/sq ft. so do a bit of math and see if you wil be ok...
 
You will never get permission from the apartment complex, and you can't get a contractor or home inspector to look at the floor joists without the apartment managers knowing. If you fiberglass it, you won't be able to hide the smell. I am not sure how strong other coatings are while they are curing. It really isn't worth getting booted from your home. Consider moving into a house where you can do what you want. You will have more space for more tanks.
 
I have a 110 that is 72x18x20 on the 2nd floor along with a 55 gallon, no issues there, but that is nothing compared to a 240. I was going to put a 225 up there but decided against it when I figured the weight to be over 3K. Soooo, it's up to you, but for sure get permission, then 2nd, make sure you have good renters insurance. State farm offers it for a decent price. I have it just in case.
 
?? news to me ?? what dose it cover, accidental damage due to having a huge fishtank like caving in of the atartment and replacing 3 floors of drywall and carped due to leaks?
 
I'm not 100% sure to tell you the truth, but it's like home owners insurance for renters. Contact them and see if this would be covered. I'm pretty sure its for break in's, fires, earthquake and hopefully something like what your worried about.
 
there would be no difference between a 2nd floor or a third floor strenght/structurewise, are you allowed to have a waterbed? if so your tank will be just fine, in my opinion as a custom home builder, it "SHOULDN'T" be a problem, imo, place next to a load bearing wall you should be fine.
 
i think that the foot print of the tank has alot to do with it..., a waterbed is heavyer but it also takes up alot more room then a tank, the weight is spead out more. like i said in my first post, you might want to think about a longer tank, something to spread the weight out a bit.

There is a big differance having 3000 lb over a 6'X5' area or having the same weight over a 6'X2' area...
 
portabuddy;873604; said:
i was reading and thught... and is it a concreet floor... then i found out that it isnt and thought crap..., you could go with a thiner longer tank that spreads out more along the joists to distribute the weight... like a 10'long tank would be nice just not a wide or tall one...

You need to figure out how to distribute the weight as buch as posable and than if you acomplish that your ok... Most wood floors are made to withstand 200lb/sq ft. so do a bit of math and see if you wil be ok...
Click to expand...

Way off there buddy, residential floors are designed for a live load of 40 pounds per sq. ft. and 10 pounds per sq. ft for dead load.

dead load: This is the weight of everything that is permanent such as the floor joists, walls, piping, ductwork, floor tile, etc.

live load: This is the weight of everything that you add to the house or apartment when you move in. Furniture, bookshelves, people, appliances, and of course, your computer and your aquarium


You would need to know which way the floor joists are running. If you place your tank perpindicular to the joists then it is probable. If you were to place the tank parrallel to the joist then you most likely will have problems.

portabuddy;874786; said:
i think that the foot print of the tank has alot to do with it..., a waterbed is heavyer but it also takes up alot more room then a tank, the weight is spead out more. like i said in my first post, you might want to think about a longer tank, something to spread the weight out a bit.

There is a big differance having 3000 lb over a 6'X5' area or having the same weight over a 6'X2' area...
Click to expand...

Not if you are running perpindicular to the floor joists. The 3000lbs will still be over the same 6 foot of floor joists.
 
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