Tank Crashing through the floor

[pezenfuego]

Originally Posted by Don Trinko
http:///forum/post/3016217
P.S. I think you will find that most 100 year old homes are built stronger than most newer homes.
Yes, they generally are about a century older as well

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by PEZenfuego
http:///forum/post/3016268
Yes, they generally are about a century older as well
That's good though...that means the wood is now petrified

 

[florida joe]

You can put your stand on a ¾ inch external ply wood sheet to disperse the load also put a rubber pad under the stand it will act as sort of a self-leveling devise when you add the water. I am still trying to find any reference to a tank falling through the floor nor do I think I will

 

[salt210]

my 210 gallon was on the 3rd floor of an apartment for over 2yrs, even after 50 gallons of water were spilt

 

[salt210]

Originally Posted by Eric B 125
http:///forum/post/3016115
i dont worry about my tank going through the floor. i think that if you have a large tank, and consider it's weight before deciding on a place in the house to put it, you should be fine. my tank, however, sits against a load-bearing wall, with the support beams running perpendicular to the tank, and with enough rythmic motion i can get the water moving pretty good. i have a buddy who does construction and i talked to him about this the other day. i'm not so worried about it going through the floor, but if i have people over and theres enough movement, i fear it could tip. i'm going to get some 4X4's and install them next time i empty my tank which should be in a month or so.
hear ya on this one. that scared the crap out of me seeing that happen

 

[uneverno]

All I gotta say is 6+ on the Richter scale. Concrete slab or not - doesn't really matter.

 

[crypt keeper]

well I live in Maryland. Only thing we worry about is a snow storm ever few years and some bugs every 17.

 

[dskrezyna]

I live on the 3rd story of an apartment building with harwood floors. Im guessing the buildings around here were built in the 30-40s. I have a 37g and am planning a 29g on the other side of the living room. The landlord said other people had aquariums above the first floor and all was well (though I dont know their sizes)
If i knew I had a concrete support Id be happy to pick up a 180g but sadly I do not.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3015671

My ex Mother-in Law really raised the average.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by srfisher17
http:///forum/post/3018111
My ex Mother-in Law really raised the average.

 

[fishstick4sale]

sheesh i was thinking the samething about the floor giving out instead of the tank... off water alone my tank 200lbs thats only a lil 30gallon im sure alot of you have 1,000lbs or more when your tanks are 100gallons + 30lbs per 5gallons

 

[95harley]

Even if one wouldn't "crash through the floor", I'd be very concerned about it warping the floor boards and pulling them away from the wall and splitting the drywall over time.
IMO, nothing over 75g should be on an upper floor. Least that's the line in the sand at my house.
Think of it this way, it gives you some motivation to go finish the basement. Then you can install the 500g tank

.

 

[pixiefish]

Actually, shouldn't one be more concerned about a tank cracking and crashing it's contents on to the floor rather then the tank going thru the floor?

 

[oceansidefish]

I live in a raised foundation house built in 55...I have a 120. We were concerned origionally about the floor possibly bowing because it's a 4x2x2 tank. However I am happy to say there has not been any movement. I would certainly check though before you set a tank down to make sure the floor joists are in good shape. Definately termites or substantial wood rot could cause problems.

 

[hiredgun18]

Im fixing to get a 150 gallon and put it in my loft on my 3rd floor condo. They were built in 2006. Im going to put it up against the wall,should be ok,right?

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3015640
NOPE...never heard of it...but I did have a contracter make sure my flooring was strong enough...my house is not on a cement foundation...so I wanted to be sure the beams were strong enough
+1 I did this very same thing, just for my own peace of mind. Years ago I had a landlord who was very afraid to rent to me he said because I had a big fish tank...55g back then, he made me get insurance against any damage my tank my do. He should have been more worried about what my three kids could do. LOL
So I got into the habit of always checking the foundation when I purchased my own home...just in case.

 

[small triggers]

<- 150g tank, one the second floor of my condo...shared wall which means its the strongest and i made sure to space it 32 inches from the back door so i know its ontop of at least 3 cross beams...

 

[salt210]

the 210 that I just got rid of was kept in a 3rd floor apartment for 2.5yrs and didnt crash through. tho when you walked by it you could see the water moving from it

 

[coral keeper]

Originally Posted by PEZenfuego
http:///forum/post/3015669
Assuming the average weight of a person is 150 pounds (we'll round down) then you had 15000 pounds there. And rounding the weight of a gallon of saltwater to 9 pounds (we'll round up), that is the equivalent to about 1667 gallons. That is on the light side too since I didn't round in your favor. So I believe you are right my friend.
Saltwater actually weighs 8lb.