Upstairs Tanks

[-Ian-]

I'm thinking of setting up a second tank in a spare room upstairs, I have a slight problem though. The other threads running on the subject recommend positioning the tank on a wall perpendicular to the support joists to distribute the weight evenly, problem is neither of those walls are an option in my room (one of them has a full width inbuilt wardrobe, the other has a door in the middle of it) so it'll have to run parallel to the joists with the floorboards taking the weight.

What's the heaviest tank I could safely have? Ideally I'd have liked a 40 UK gallon tank but I'm now thinking that's probably not a good idea

 

[BigIan]

i have a 380 Litre tank sat in the middle of my joist no problem.... YET

 

[Durbkat]

Well first of all to the forums!!


I believe that you could have a 40 UK G upstairs because I have a 55US G (45UK G) and a long 20g (16UK G) and a 10g (8UK G) in the same room not counting a heavy full size bed and I didn't see which way the joist runs when I put them there I just placed them there and they have been fine.

 

[riverman444]

Well, seeing that your tank will probably weigh well over 500 pounds filled and decorated, you may want to position it over as many studs/framing supports as possible.

 

[BigIan]

i`m thinking of moving it when i do the big water change after the cycle has finished...

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

It should be fine, make sure you have a support surface though (for example a wooden board underneath the tank. This applies the pressure evenly. Of course, if you buy a tank with a designed stand, that wont be necassary either.

 

[smmetz]

I agree that a 40 gallon tank should be fine on most any floor, as long as the weight is not all on 4 legs like some of those metal stands. (which is retty much just what Fishkeeper2006 said.)

 

[Ginge]

It will be fine just spread out the weight i got a 55G in my loft conversion room.

 

[FBF]

i have a 250 gallon tank sat on two joists without any issues at all. also the length of the room will factor. i think you'll be fine with most tanks. dont forget that when we put down joists they are seperated at 400mm. from this you should be able to put your tank across two of the floor joists. also bear in mind the weight of a sette in the space with 4 people sitting on that. would you worry about the floor caving in? nope but thats a lot of weight

 

[trace1]

hiya
another way to think of it is think of a bath full of water with 2 people sat in it who weigh about 25ish stone between them, not a preety sight i know lol. plus the weight of the water the bath & the rest of the bathroom. now think of all that sitting on 3 half rotton joists. now we have been doing this for the last 2 years or so & our bath is still in the bathroom lol so think you may be ok

 

[annka5]

You've been sitting in your bath for 2 years...?! LOL. The problem is worsened in that the tank will sit there permanently. I know waterbeds often need extra structural supports building beneath them; however 40 galls is not really that much weight so I'd imagine you'll be fine.

 

[-Ian-]

Thanks for all the advice, I think I'll go for the 40 gallon after all. I've checked the floor again, the joists are closer together than I thought they'd be so the front of the tank would be directly above one of them (thanks FBF)

 

[piper]

I have a 70Gal tank in my loft conversion, sitting next to that is a huge (real wood) double wardrobe, all on the same 3 joists and against an adjoining wall, no problems so far.
I think people get to scared for no reason when housing tanks up stairs. We have 3 times safety factors designed into our buildings so there is little risk in your case.
Remember floors are unlikely to just suddenly collapse they will bow first, if you see that happening you know you need to remove the tank.

Andy