4x2x2... Upstairs?

[Rezatii]

I've got my eyes on a 4x2x2 on ebay that's only 20minutes away from me. It's perfect. 'cept I'm not allowed it downstairs. T_T Is this much to big to go upstairs? I think it is, but I want advice! Is there something I can do to make the floor more stable (Wouldn't this 4x2x2 be about the same as a really big bathtub?) Would I have to have the floor re-enforced? Any tips advice or anything is welcomed!

-Rezz

 

[Amberleaf]

I think it would be.... XD I read somewhere in a book, "You might think that having a 400 litre tank upstairs is a novel idea until you consider the weight involved." XD And that's about that, corrects? ^^;

XD Soooooooo, 8 pounds to a gallon, plus all that extra stuffz? I have no tips on how to reinforce floors, buts.... ^^;

But if it's against an outside wall it might be okays~ Where I wanted to put a 55-gallon, but I might just have a 30-gallon, insteads, the living room is below my bedroom, and I'm not too sure my parents would be very happy if my fish tank went crashing down through the floor, and onto the TV. XD

 

[gzylo]

I've got my eyes on a 4x2x2 on ebay that's only 20minutes away from me. It's perfect. 'cept I'm not allowed it downstairs. T_T Is this much to big to go upstairs? I think it is, but I want advice! Is there something I can do to make the floor more stable (Wouldn't this 4x2x2 be about the same as a really big bathtub?) Would I have to have the floor re-enforced? Any tips advice or anything is welcomed!

-Rezz

hi I have 4x2x2 on 3rd floor - not problem

it have not gone down yet - touch wood

 

[Rezatii]

Thanks guys, it will be against an outside wall so maybe that helps? I don't know XD I hope it'll be okay, or some fishies might come to a sad sad parachuting end O_O


-Rezz

 

[three-fingers]

All depends on the build of the house (like how many joists are under the floor, how thick they are and how evenly spaced). New houses tend to be built with weaker floors. Also, external walls will be stronger.

If someone tells you it's OK based on the fact that it's worked for them it doesnt matter, because thier house could be totally different and it's only worked so far. Their floor could give way anywhere down the line.

Unless you are totally sure yourself after doing research on placing the tank safely (external wall, not along the joists, a corner is even better), get a professional opinion.

4X2X2 = 453 litres of water, so in reality once it's set up with the stand, equipment and decor, the floor will need to support over half a ton over a long period of time.

 

[Rezatii]

Well if I shuffle things a tad I could put it in a corner against two outside walls, so that'll help, Our house isn't a new build but I'm not sure on the exact date, I'll have my Dad check it out for me, thanks for all the advice guys!


-Rezz

 

[coldcazzie]

All depends on the build of the house (like how many joists are under the floor, how thick they are and how evenly spaced). New houses tend to be built with weaker floors. Also, external walls will be stronger.

If someone tells you it's OK based on the fact that it's worked for them it doesnt matter, because thier house could be totally different and it's only worked so far. Their floor could give way anywhere down the line.

Unless you are totally sure yourself after doing research on placing the tank safely (external wall, not along the joists, a corner is even better), get a professional opinion.

4X2X2 = 453 litres of water, so in reality once it's set up with the stand, equipment and decor, the floor will need to support over half a ton over a long period of time.

Agreed - get a joiner or a builder to have a look at your floor. Newer houses use thinner joists than older houses so an old victorian terrace might be ok but a 5 year old house not. Also depends where you put it - over a supporting wall or by an external wall would be stronger, but again ask a professional opinion first.

You also have to take into account the weight of the stand because a tank that size will need a very strong sturdy stand to sit on, which will need taking into account.

 

[Rezatii]

The very newest part of the house is at least *does mental math* 30 years old, the part the tanks going in I'd say was built 60's-70's, going aginst 2 external walls and I'll talk to my Dad about having someone come and look at the joists Thanks, you've all been really helpful!


-Rezz

 

[Schmill]

Note that putting it against TWO external walls is not really going to help, as your joists will only be anchored into one of them anyway.
Also you will want to make sure that your tank is aligned so that it is 'straddling' as many joists as possible, so at 90 degrees to the joists.

As per above though, to support that weight for that time I would get it checked by a structural engineer before even considering it. Parachuting fish is one thing, dropping half a tonne of water, gravel, ceiling, and flooring onto whoever happens to be below at the time will be considerably more of an issue...
Another thing for your Dad to check will be the home Buildings & Contents insurances, as some will need it declared, (obviously having 400+ Litres of water sitting there is a bigger risk for them than not having it...)

There was a really good article on this I read the toehr day, but can't find the link now
I'll post it if I find it later.

 

[Rezatii]

Thanks Schmill, I'll bring all those issues up at home tonight

Ideally I would like to have the tank downstairs but a) we don't really have any space for it and b) our house is very open plan which means that there's nowhere I could put it that it wouldn't be opposite a window -___-

*sigh* Just another reason to make me parents let me use one of the outbuildings as a fishroom(house xD)

The annoying thing is we have this outbuilding which used to be a coldroom, with lighting and electrics all hooked up, and it has super insulation. And it's currently sitting empty... but no, I can't use it -__-

-Rezz

 

[coldcazzie]

*sigh* Just another reason to make me parents let me use one of the outbuildings as a fishroom(house xD)

The annoying thing is we have this outbuilding which used to be a coldroom, with lighting and electrics all hooked up, and it has super insulation. And it's currently sitting empty... but no, I can't use it -__-

-Rezz

Lol, it might well be that that's a good argument, but only if a structural somebody says that it cant go upstairs and the insurance company kicks up a stink - then you could say "well...*insert argument/plea here*" but you will almost definitely have to explore other options first.

 

[Rezatii]

*sigh* While I was at college it appears there was a bidding war on 'my' tank, no way I can afford it now -___-

I've satisfied myself for a while by purchasing a small tank to divide for more bettas but.. *sulks* Guess I'll have to keep my eyes open for another tank that size and pray I can get it cheap! xD

-Rezz

 

[-SPB-]

Note that putting it against TWO external walls is not really going to help, as your joists will only be anchored into one of them anyway.
Also you will want to make sure that your tank is aligned so that it is 'straddling' as many joists as possible, so at 90 degrees to the joists.

As per above though, to support that weight for that time I would get it checked by a structural engineer before even considering it. Parachuting fish is one thing, dropping half a tonne of water, gravel, ceiling, and flooring onto whoever happens to be below at the time will be considerably more of an issue...
Another thing for your Dad to check will be the home Buildings & Contents insurances, as some will need it declared, (obviously having 400+ Litres of water sitting there is a bigger risk for them than not having it...)

There was a really good article on this I read the toehr day, but can't find the link now
I'll post it if I find it later.

Was this the topic with the article in:

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=308548"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=308548[/URL]

 

[Schmill]

That's it exactly

Thanks!

For anyone who is interested here is the direct link to the article:
http/www.african-cichlid.com/Structure.htm