Help Needed With Tank Size/weight In 8th Floor Flat

[Ed Green]

How big a tank would you get without worrying about its weight?

I live on the 8th floor of an apartment complex and worry about the weight. I posted this in the marine section as it will be a marine tank so the weight of lr is worth considering.

I am looking at either a 300l or a 180l - would either of these potentially damage/go through the floor? Do I need to consult anyone or see a blueprint of the flat - or are these weights acceptable?

Help would be appreciated as this issue has been one of the main things keeping me away from larger tanks and the marine hobby.

Thanks!

 

[seffieuk]

I can't help you but maybe have a read of:

http/badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

Seffie x

 

[JenCliBee]

All depnds on floor itself, is it a wooden or concreate floor?

 

[Ed Green]

All depnds on floor itself, is it a wooden or concreate floor?

Thanks for the reply

Well its an 8th floor flat. Id imagine not concrete? There will be metal structural support beams criss crossing the buildings levels but dont know what the floor is made from s

I can't help you but maybe have a read of:

[URL="http/badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html"]http/badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html[/URL]

Seffie x

Cherrs Seffie - I will have a read and hope I understand!

 

[TigerIssey]

Can you pull up a small section of carpet to see what is underneath.

Flat blocks / apartments are usually concrete as it helps with soundproofing individual apartments.

Ski usually says about 75 gallon before its an issue. Read this link

 

[rabbut]

If in doubt, call out a structural engineer to have a look. Both of those weights could cause issues on some floor types... The 180 would be OK on most floors, the 300 could lead to issues with many. The only person that can give a near definite answer to if it's safe though is a trained structural engineer.

 

[ben1987]

id do a 180l not so sure on 300.

1L of water is 1Kilo. Then theres the weight of the rock, stand, sand etc.

 

[TigerIssey]

I have to admit, I am going for much larger on a first floor, BUT my other half is going to reinforce floorboards and the stand will have angled steel box section supports that will go into a 3ft thick stone wall. (please don't ask me anything technical about this, he is the engineer and carpenter not me)

Am I braver than most??

 

[Ed Green]

Can you pull up a small section of carpet to see what is underneath.

Flat blocks / apartments are usually concrete as it helps with soundproofing individual apartments.

Ski usually says about 75 gallon before its an issue. Read this link

Thanks. The floors are wooden beams but I would imagine this is just aesthetic and has something else below. I will speak with the care taker when I get home.

IF they are concrete would it hold a 120l -200l tank quite happily?

 

[youngfisher]

Also, before you get your hopes up, some landlords/landladys dont allow tanks.
Just for the fact they can cause alot of damage.
I have a friend that wasnt allowed a tank in his flat.

YF

 

[Ed Green]

Also, before you get your hopes up, some landlords/landladys dont allow tanks.
Just for the fact they can cause alot of damage.
I have a friend that wasnt allowed a tank in his flat.

YF

My landlord is fine, we have three tanks at the moment! They are all relativly small though (planted nano cubes or Biorbes).

 

[youngfisher]

Ah, fair enough then matey.
Just wanted to make sure.


YF

 

[TigerIssey]

Can you pull up a small section of carpet to see what is underneath.

Flat blocks / apartments are usually concrete as it helps with soundproofing individual apartments.

Ski usually says about 75 gallon before its an issue. Read this link

Thanks. The floors are wooden beams but I would imagine this is just aesthetic and has something else below. I will speak with the care taker when I get home.

IF they are concrete would it hold a 120l -200l tank quite happily?

I would have thought so. 120 - 200 should not be a problem. I have a 250 and a 180 + Sump on the first floor with wooden joists, not been a problem, if it is wooden joists though, check the direction of them and place the tank at right angles.

Will depend on the build quality aswell. If in any doubt, consult an expert.

 

[Ed Green]

Thanks for all the comments - I will speak with my caretaker and if he doesn’t know for sure I will contact a structural engineer.

 

[jtnova13]

Hey, I'm a mechanical engineer (not the same as a civil engy, but i do know some building stuff.)

If it's an older building, chances are it is concrete as it's much cheaper to do it that way.

If it's newer, it will probably be conrete with rebar or 100% steel. But steel buildings are usually reserved for newer buildings or skyscrapers.

I think most residential housing (at least in the US) are made with a majority of concrete. I think concrete buildings are limited to about 20-25 stories, but i could be wrong.

Anyway, if the building is fairly new, you should have no problem with a 300L. I currently have a 60 US gallon on a first floor apartment with thin wood floors and wood crossbeams with no problem. If you can get a blueprint, try to set your tank up so it goes perpendicular to the support beams as you want to spread the weight over the most beams as possible.

Good luck!