A Question of Weight?

d.w.

Member
Is it possible to have a 125-150g tank in anything other than a basement if the place was built after the 80's? I've seen it done with a 200g in an apartment, but I'm paranoid that it would go crashing through the floor! I would love to hear everybody's opinion.
Thanx,
DW
 

fender

Active Member
Run perpendicular to your floor joists. Position near a beam, outside wall or a load bearing wall. If you still have doubts build a brace under the location where you want the tank in the basement. Any decently built house shouldn't present a problem (they still build decent houses these days in most parts of the country).
 

threed240

Member
Originally Posted by D.W.
Is it possible to have a 125-150g tank in anything other than a basement if the place was built after the 80's? I've seen it done with a 200g in an apartment, but I'm paranoid that it would go crashing through the floor! I would love to hear everybody's opinion.
Thanx,
DW
Yes. Most floor joists are 2x10's and there gonna hold a lot more than what those aquariums weigh. The weight is distributed evenly across the tank, not in one spot. 150g of saltwater will weigh approximatly 1500lbs. Not counting sand, rock, stand, and equipment. Now the rock and sand will take up some of your water space, but its not that big of a differance. If the 150g is 6' long, it will cover 3 floor joists if it is set perpandicular to them. Your looking at only 500-700lbs per joist. Not a problem at all. You could drive a car over them.
 

rusting

Member
Originally Posted by D.W.
Is it possible to have a 125-150g tank in anything other than a basement if the place was built after the 80's? I've seen it done with a 200g in an apartment, but I'm paranoid that it would go crashing through the floor! I would love to hear everybody's opinion.
Thanx,
DW
I have a 120 on the first floor, it's been there for 8 years.
 

d.w.

Member
So glad to hear it :jumping: How do you figure out which way the floor joists run so you can set the tank perpendicular to them?
 

thegrog

Active Member
If you have a basement, then go down and look up at the joists.
If no basement, then look for clues around your house. Are the bathtubs all going the same direction? They lay the tubs perpindicular to the joists. Look for nail patterns in the floors. You could even try using a stud sensor on the floor to see if you can find them.
 
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