those in an apartment (upper floor)???

[justchillin]

how big are your tanks???
i'm wondering if a 120-150gal tank would be ok in an upper level apartment(generally)?

 

[scott270]

i have a 75 but anything over 125 i would advise you to ask your management and make sure you are covered on insurance i mean think about it, it would be like a ton of weight literally

 

[nevurrmore]

I used to have a 150 on the second floor of an apartment. I wasn't very safe though, it kind of rocked a little when somebody walked by.LOL
Also, they did require to have extra insurance for it. At least renters insurance.

 

[risc]

I used to live in a 3 story 1,400 square foot town house. I had 6 fish tanks on the 2nd floor and the biggest being 540 gallons. Generally speaking a floor can with stand 180 pounds per square inch of floor space in modern day construction. So it really depends on how cheap-a$$ the builder was in developing your apartment/townhome or whatever. Best thing to do is verify it with maintaince. You should also always remember than saltwater is about 9 pounds per gallon rather than 8 like normal fresh water.
Jim

 

[thavngr98]

ive got a 90 gallon on a second floor

 

[demodan]

My upstairs neighbor has a 180 with a ton of live rock. So far, it has stayed in his apartment. We do have concrete floors, though.

 

[scott270]

my friend has a 250 on the 3rd floor but he has insurance

 

[jastim]

One thing you can do to make your situation much safer is to position the tank as close to load bearing wall as possible. Also find out what direction the floor joists run and position your tank perpendicular to those (not parallel). This way you can span as many joists as possible which will greatly increase the amount of load you can support over a particular area.

 

[zephyrlily]

With all this said a 55G shouldn't be a problem in any apt. bldg. right?

 

[faraday]

I would do what Jastim suggests. Talk to the maintaince people, they more than anybody now about the building and it's structural integrity. "Captain, the Structural Integrity is collapsing, where going to fly the Enterprise apart at the seams".
Sorry I couldn't resist.
Talk with your management. If they disapprove of it, and something does happen, they can come back and sue you. You are liable for any and all damages. Talk with your insurance company as well. That way you cover your ---, you cover your neighbors, your management will be happy, and if something does happen. You might be able to get something to replace what was lost.
Look at it this way. How would you feel if your investment in this was $5000, it crashed to the floor, completely destroyed. Neighbors personal property is destroyed that you will now have to replace, and parts of the building are destroyed that you will have to pay to fix, as well as them probably kicking you out.

 

[gasguzzler]

I would have to say that I dont care how cheap the floors are made, if your fridge hasnt fallen through, your 55 wont go anywhere either. Build away!

 

[polarpooch]

One thing you can do to make your situation much safer is to position the tank as close to load bearing wall as possible. Also find out what direction the floor joists run and position your tank perpendicular to those (not parallel).
Yes yes. This is key. Very, very important!
I have a 125g in a 2nd floor apt...with about 100lbs of LR. I asked the landlord whether the wall I was thinking about would work...he checked and gave the OK and advised where to place it. (he has SWF, too...so he was very cool about it)