Worried About Weight Of Tank

[clivealive]

I currently have a 200 L tank  in my living room which is upstairs. (4ft x 18 x 15)
 
I want to get a 600-700 L tank to go in the same place.   but iam worried about the weight.
6 x 2 x 2 or
7 x 2 x 2 i think
 
 
what do u think
what can i do to help any issue
any good write ups on this anywhere
 
 

 

[Akasha72]

I think in this case it might be best to consult a structural engineer. That would be my best advice

 

[NickAu]

 
I want to get a 600-700 L tank to go in the same place

 
I think in this case it might be best to consult a structural engineer.

I agree,  The water alone will be 600-700 KG then add the weight of the tank and  substrate and that is some serious weight.

 

[clivealive]

bet they cost a lot tho

 

[StevenF]

 
 



Bet they cost a lot tho

 A structural engineer will cost a lot less than repairing a hold in the floor, water damage and the tank replacement cost.  

 

[RainboWBacoN420]

Do you have it on a stand? It should say how much weight it can hold. A 600-700 liter tank should weigh roughly around 338 lbs. empty and 1800-2100 lbs. full, that's not including the weight of substrate, rocks, driftwood, etc. 
 
This is the list I trusted to give the expected weight when I was setting up my 55 gallon, if you want to take a look for yourself.
 
http/www.alysta.com/books/fishtank.htm
 
But I would definitely check with a structural engineer as mentioned above before taking that gamble. I can imagine hearing a loud bang and shattering in the middle of the night, waking up to see your tank missing and a hole in the floor. 

 

[luca1980]

Always better to be safe than sorry Clive, that would be a huge disaster and potentially really dangerous if someone was around in the wrong place at the wrong time. Do you have space for the big tank on the ground level?

 

[clivealive]

thanks for replies , all so far
 
so according to chart 2100 pounds, current tank 800 pounds.  (plus rocks and sub , minus water then not used)  thats for 6 x 2 x 2 only
 
 
tank cant go elsewhere.

will have to lift carpet and see if floor is concreate , assuming it is surely that would be ok.
will see if i have any docs on house that might mention weight. never know

 

[Akasha72]

if the floor is concrete it should be fine

 

[clivealive]

check later and hope

 

[CSnyder00]

If it is concrete, go to town. That should not affect it in the least, as long as the stand bottom is flat. Don't buy a stand with spindly legs or thin wood that touches the ground. Thin carpet and concrete would make it very unstable. Make sure it is very level. If it is a wood floor, then you need to brace or restructure underneath to ensure it is safely held. That's literally a ton of weight setting in one spot.

 

[clivealive]

what do u mean by brace or restructure underneath ???

 

[StevenF]

 
 
will have to lift carpet and see if floor is concreate , assuming it is surely that would be ok.

In second story homes the second story is tyipcally wood or wood with a non structural concrete layer.  Lifting the rug up isn't going to tell you if the floor is strong enough.  You still should get a structural engineer to look at it  even if you see concrete .

 

[Akasha72]

got me worried now Steven! I'm in a first floor flat with a concrete floor! Having said that, my tank is only 240 litres (4ft)

 

[Gruntle]

Flats should be fine as they build the whole floor out of concrete (in Australia, anyway).
 
As far as I can tell, a 4 foot tank would weigh approximately the same as a well stocked refrigerator, and when they build flats, they'd probably have massive over-engineering in case of things like fish tanks and pool tables.
 
When you start getting into the big tanks (such as the one Clive is thinking of) and the location of said tank, the issues will appear. But as everyone has said so far, check it before you end up with an almighty crash and lots of repair bills.