Simple Question About Large Aquariums On Second Floor

[Dan F]

If it looks like concrete but sounds hollow it is probably gyp-crete over a wood floor. Gyp-crete is a thin cement applied for leveling purposes, it doesn't affect the strength of a floor significantly.

In my experience your floor will be fine with a 125G going either with or across the joists. As long as you have a good solid stand you are going to be okay.

 

[Jon M]

If it looks like concrete but sounds hollow it is probably gyp-crete over a wood floor. Gyp-crete is a thin cement applied for leveling purposes it doesn't affect the strength of a floor significantly.

In my experience your floor will be fine with a 125G going either with or across the joists. As long as you have a good solid stand you are going to be okay.

Thanks for the reassurance. That's what I was thinking but it's really a breath of fresh air hearing it from someone else experienced with aquariums. Just like I said, it's a stock stand for a 125g that has been reinforced with 2x4 on the inside so it looks nice and solid. Now I'm just super excited to get the tank. It's going to be a big change for me. 6ft long is the tank I've wanted since I got my 125g acrylic taller design tank. PLUS, the guy that's trading me has a friend that works at an acrylic sign place so he's got the mad hook up on sand/buff so I'm also excited to see how good my tank looks when it's properly sanded and buffed down like I should have done from the beginning if I had the time.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I am impressed. Sounds like you are going to set up a big tank near the end of August and move it by the end of the year. I do not have that level of energy any more. Good luck.

 

[Glabe]

If the wall is running parallel with the floor joists then that wall underneath does not support the joists, understand?

yeah. but i'd also want a wall supporting the joists right below the tank, not 10 ft away. i wasn't commenting on the direction of the joist aspect

 

[Jon M]

Hello; I am impressed. Sounds like you are going to set up a big tank near the end of August and move it by the end of the year. I do not have that level of energy any more. Good luck.

Don't have much of a choice in the matter. It's really not that big of a deal. 125g tank isn't that large. Moving it is annoying, yes, but not particularly difficult. Two people and an hour and we'll have both tanks moved and done.

 

[boldtogether]

1,300lbs. just for the water...now add stand, canopy, substrate, decor etc. Research the floor joists and check your insurance policy. Yes, a longer tank would have its weight distributed over a larger area, but the real question should be, what happens in a leak situation or total failure? Also, what about water changes? Is there going to be an issue with draining and filling said tank, upstairs? The reason I ask is....a friend of mine moved his tank upstairs and found out that his bathroom sink would not accept the adapter for his Python or any adapter for that matter...bummer. Can you say "bucket brigade"?

 

[Jon M]

1,300lbs. just for the water...now add stand, canopy, substrate, decor etc. Research the floor joists and check your insurance policy. Yes, a longer tank would have its weight distributed over a larger area, but the real question should be, what happens in a leak situation or total failure? Also, what about water changes? Is there going to be an issue with draining and filling said tank, upstairs? The reason I ask is....a friend of mine moved his tank upstairs and found out that his bathroom sink would not accept the adapter for his Python or any adapter for that matter...bummer. Can you say "bucket brigade"?

It's not like I can just look up my old ghetto apartment buildings structural build online and the office ladies a. have no idea and b. would just tell me not to get another tank. If you didn't read the whole post I already have a heavier tank in the same spot. I was just questioning repositioning the one I'm replacing it with. I've been doing wc on the existing tank since it's been up so yeah, don't have to worry about stuff like that... It's going where an existing tank already is. I'm just swapping them and considering un caddy cornering the new tank which is the same gallons, just longer.

We were actually supposed to do this today but it rained all Fing day, so I removed the decor and substrate and have it bare bottomed so I'll be ready to move it tomorrow, granted it doesn't pour all day like it did today.

 

[Jon M]

Figured I'd let everyone know that the tank sits great where I relocated the new one to. It seems much, much more sturdier than the other one I had since it has the stand touching all around instead of in 6 leg spots like my other tank. Plus the lower to the ground and length makes it even better. I even slapped a level on the tank and it's 100% level sitting where it is. Good to go.