Ok here we go tank wieght

[gavmak]

I am living in a second floor condo with an oak floor.
I currently have a 75 gallon tank 48x18x20 placed against a wall not sure if it's weight bearing or not I don't know if the unit below me has the same floor-plan.
I currently have no problems I'm over 200lbs and could practically do jumping jacks without having the water move.
So I am looking to get a 180 gallon acrylic with dimensions
of 72x24x24 am I pressing my luck is my big question the tank will sit perpendicular to the floor joist. feed back and current and prior experiences welcome!

 

[chronic_]

Tt really depends on the building. I have my 120g on a load bearing wall, sitting perpindicular to the joists. It moved a bit once it was filled and sat for a few days, but once the floor settled. Its been stable.

Maybe contact a residential engineer or someone if you're really worried and put your mind at ease.

 

[EvilKid]

im not sure about the weight holding up its a 2' x 6' and about a 2200 lbs id say maybe but your pushing it at about 183 lbs per sq ft ultimately its your choice you could try setting it on a 1" peice of ply wood and that should bring down your lbs per sq ft significantly instead of 2' x 6' you would have a 4' x 8' foot print and it would distribute the weight to more cross beams as well

 

[gavmak]

Thanks

 

[shoggoth43]

Not sure the 1" plywood is really going to distribute the load all that much better. If it can flex, then it's not really going to fully distribute that load evenly across the whole surface, plus if it bows upward at all then there's practically no difference as the corners won't be bearing any of the weight. Also, it depends on how centered that tank is on the plywood.

You're in a condo, ask the association. Bottom line is that if you do damage, damned straight you're going to be paying for it. You can bet your keister the guy below you is going to sue you for everything you damage, and then some, if you dump 180 gallons into his flatscreen TV, let alone if something lets go and collapses part of the ceiling. I wouldn't want to be you if that tank comes crashing through the floor on the overnight guest asleep on his couch. It's also quite likely that it won't happen the first few days you set this up either, so you're left with a ticking timebomb on that part.

If you're going to go this route, at least check with the town/city and find out what plans they have on file for the building and see who they can recommend to give you a thumbs up. It won't save your butt in court if something happens, but it'll help. If you still want to try it, consider an upgrade and get rid of the other tank in the process.

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S