i know having it 6' perpendicular to the joists is a better idea but sadly there is no where i could possibly put it where it runs like that,
id like to have the tank in the corner where the 2 cement load bearing walls meet (the outer walls of my house) oppose to the opposite corner of the room where only the one load bearing wall sits parallel to the tank.
not too sure how i would bring up that id like to place a 400 gal aquarium weighing 4000lbs+ on the 2nd floor to my landlord to a non fish keeper that sounds CRAZY
Hello; Sounds like you want us to tell you it will be OK and you have not much to worry about? I do not see how we can give you such assurance. I strongly suspect there is a real risk to the structure. Even if the house is built properly, there is the question of what condition the structural components are currently in. Is it sound? Has someone cut into the joists and weakened them? My current house had some badly notched floor joists. I had to sister in additional joists to make it right. Plumbers and other contractors sometimes cut into things in a wrong way. That is what happened to my place. The point being that i could only tell if the place is sound by actually being on site and having a good luck. If you do not know about structure, then get someone who does to have a look.
Back to the landlord. I do not see how not talking to the owner about having such a heavy tank can be justified. It is his/her place and the tank you want is a significant risk. Even if the structure holds up, there is a potential for water damage. I had a 55 gallon let go on a wood floor. It ruined carpet and left a stain on the wood. I got lucky and got the floor dry before it buckled or warped. Can you afford to get renters insurance? can you afford to pay out of pocket for all repairs for the damage that can happen? If you are uncomfortable with talking to the owner now, imagine a conversation after damage is done.
