Another Floor Weight Question....!

[JamieH]

I live in a block of flats buit in the 60's... we have concrete external walls and floors... will a 400 litre tank be safe?

I've been told concrete is much stronger than wood.

 

[Tolak]

It should be strong enough. Make sure the tank is level, and anyone with an aquarium that has neighbors below them should have homeowners insurance just in case anything starts to leak badly.

My dad used to live in an apartment with the same construction, and had a 55 gallon. Those were some of the most sturdy residential floors I have ever seen.

 

[Matt Gleadow]

It would be worth finding out the details for the construction of the floor and what loads it has been designed to take before you go ahead with it.

 

[Tolak]

Flats made of concrete are usually referred to as hollowcore construction here in the US. It's a very strong & fireproof design. There isn't very much to see structurally with this design, as it's all one slab of concrete.

 

[JamieH]

Flats made of concrete are usually referred to as hollowcore construction here in the US. It's a very strong & fireproof design. There isn't very much to see structurally with this design, as it's all one slab of concrete.

I plan to put the tank against an exterior wall - are you saying that should be ok? That surely has to be the strongest part of the floor - where it is attached to the exterior wall.

 

[diet]

.4 of a metric tonne or around 62 Stone inw eight is what ur looking at for just the weight of water.

Near the exteriors walls should be the better places btu it wont harm (if u can) to pull back the carpet or laminate and try to spot for any cracking if so fix before u do.

I only say because my flat was built in the 50's and the floor is basically like a sandwich. Its two slabs of concrete with insulation in the middle.

You dont want the tank cracking the first laer then causing damage to your floor etc,

 

[JamieH]

.4 of a metric tonne or around 62 Stone inw eight is what ur looking at for just the weight of water.

Near the exteriors walls should be the better places btu it wont harm (if u can) to pull back the carpet or laminate and try to spot for any cracking if so fix before u do.

I only say because my flat was built in the 50's and the floor is basically like a sandwich. Its two slabs of concrete with insulation in the middle.

You dont want the tank cracking the first laer then causing damage to your floor etc,

Our floors are solid... i know this because we were told that if the flat needs rewiring, then we'll have to have conduits fitted.

anyway... i don;t think a five foot tank is really that huge

 

[diet]

.4 of a metric tonne or around 62 Stone inw eight is what ur looking at for just the weight of water.

Near the exteriors walls should be the better places btu it wont harm (if u can) to pull back the carpet or laminate and try to spot for any cracking if so fix before u do.

I only say because my flat was built in the 50's and the floor is basically like a sandwich. Its two slabs of concrete with insulation in the middle.

You dont want the tank cracking the first laer then causing damage to your floor etc,

Our floors are solid... i know this because we were told that if the flat needs rewiring, then we'll have to have conduits fitted.

anyway... i don;t think a five foot tank is really that huge

1000 litres is one metric tonne.

1000litres = 1000kg

1litre = 1 kg

400 litres = 400kg

it surprised the hell out of me two when i worked out what my rio 180 weighed

 

[JamieH]

.4 of a metric tonne or around 62 Stone inw eight is what ur looking at for just the weight of water.

Near the exteriors walls should be the better places btu it wont harm (if u can) to pull back the carpet or laminate and try to spot for any cracking if so fix before u do.

I only say because my flat was built in the 50's and the floor is basically like a sandwich. Its two slabs of concrete with insulation in the middle.

You dont want the tank cracking the first laer then causing damage to your floor etc,

Our floors are solid... i know this because we were told that if the flat needs rewiring, then we'll have to have conduits fitted.

anyway... i don;t think a five foot tank is really that huge

1000 litres is one metric tonne.

1000litres = 1000kg

1litre = 1 kg

400 litres = 400kg

it surprised the hell out of me two when i worked out what my rio 180 weighed

sure i get all that... but my bath tub holds more water than the tank in question... and two of us get in that quite often too... seems logical that the floor can supprt at least that... esecpially when you consider my bath sits on floor little 'feet' underneath, which means the weight is distributed over a very small area... my tank, if 5 ft long and 2ft wide, will distribute that weight over 10 square feet

 

[Underwurlde]

OK then. You tell that (no doubt with photos of you two in the bath) to a court of law, when nigh on half a metric tonnes worth of fish tank comes crashing through the ceiling and kills the people below....


Yes, I know that's an extreme thing to say, but no one here is qualifed to have an opion really - neither have they seen your flat!
Get a structural engineer to have a look. Concrete does not last forever, espcially in damp conditions with swings of temperature.

Andy

 

[vic]

400L equals 88 UK gallons equals 880 pounds plus the tank and stand. One way of enhancing the weight distribution is to put the stand on a frame (3/4' plywood) that is roughly the same as the footprint of the tank. Also being over or near a lower level wall enhances the support afforded the load. Also, try an locate the tank at right angels to the run of the floor joists. This also aids in the weight distribution.
Vic

 

[GrantyBoy]

.4 of a metric tonne or around 62 Stone inw eight is what ur looking at for just the weight of water.

Near the exteriors walls should be the better places btu it wont harm (if u can) to pull back the carpet or laminate and try to spot for any cracking if so fix before u do.

I only say because my flat was built in the 50's and the floor is basically like a sandwich. Its two slabs of concrete with insulation in the middle.

You dont want the tank cracking the first laer then causing damage to your floor etc,

Our floors are solid... i know this because we were told that if the flat needs rewiring, then we'll have to have conduits fitted.

anyway... i don;t think a five foot tank is really that huge

1000 litres is one metric tonne.

1000litres = 1000kg

1litre = 1 kg

400 litres = 400kg

it surprised the hell out of me two when i worked out what my rio 180 weighed

sure i get all that... but my bath tub holds more water than the tank in question... and two of us get in that quite often too... seems logical that the floor can supprt at least that... esecpially when you consider my bath sits on floor little 'feet' underneath, which means the weight is distributed over a very small area... my tank, if 5 ft long and 2ft wide, will distribute that weight over 10 square feet

Builders often put an extra joist under where the bath tub will go for the extra weight, as they know that point in the floor will be bearing a huge load.
Should also add you and your partner are only going to be in the bath for 30 mins to an hour. What if you where to stay in the tub for a year, or five years. You have to remember its not just the total weight but the length of time the floor will be subjected to this load.
Best get a structural engineer to double check things, not worth the risk

found this site for you which you'll find helpful
http/badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

 

[JamieH]

found this site for you which you'll find helpful
http/badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

I've read that... i live in a block with concrete floors... and many of the flats have different configurations - leading me to believe that the builders did not strengthen the floors where the bath tub goes.

 

[diet]

Advice and suggestions seem to be falling on death ears.

Risk it see if it holds or not. Buy or dont buy home insurance just incase and write down an exscuse you can use later just incase it does fall through and in the worse case killing or injurying someone.

After all we are only talking about a half tonne of dead weight stuck in one place for a period of time.

Nothing to worry about!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[adamgreen240]

Advice and suggestions seem to be falling on death ears.

Risk it see if it holds or not. Buy or dont buy home insurance just incase and write down an exscuse you can use later just incase it does fall through and in the worse case killing or injurying someone.

After all we are only talking about a half tonne of dead weight stuck in one place for a period of time.

Nothing to worry about!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i live in a flat like you and i have a 200l its fine has been there 4 10 years

urs should be fine