Heavy Aquarium Setups

[cupofjoel]

Please read the possible scenario before offering advice and comments.

When I say heavy setup I mean heavy. Imagine a 165g tank. That's 165 x 8.34 pounds (weight of one gallon of water) = 1376lbs. This figure doesn't account for a few hundred pounds of hardscape. My question is this...with this amount of weight, do I need to reinforce the floor? Are all floors not created equal? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[utahfish]

I keep all my tanks in the basement. But good luck sorry i couldnt be of any help.

 

[cupofjoel]

thanks.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Depends on what type of foundation you have. Can you provide those details? I have a concrete foundation so it’s not an issue for me.

 

[cupofjoel]

I live in an apartment. It's a new building, but yeah, not sure if I want that much weight...we live on the second floor.

 

[AbbeysDad]

It depends on the construction and the location of the tank relative to the construction...especially on a second floor (or higher). Additionally, it may be an issue for your landlord and/or your insurance due to the potential water damage to yours and the apartment below in the event of a mishap.

 

[Munroco]

It makes a lot of difference if your tank is running across your floor joists (Good) or in the same direction (Not so good). And of course the size of the joists.

 

[cupofjoel]

It depends on the construction and the location of the tank relative to the construction...especially on a second floor (or higher). Additionally, it may be an issue for your landlord and/or your insurance due to the potential water damage to yours and the apartment below in the event of a mishap.

I like to live on the edge lol

 

[cupofjoel]

It makes a lot of difference if your tank is running across your floor joists (Good) or in the same direction (Not so good). And of course the size of the joists.

I have no idea what you just wrote, but I like it.

 

[Retired Viking]

Floor joist are the 1-2 inch wide, 10 inch tall and anywhere from 8 -12 feet or longer wooden boards that support the floor

 

[cupofjoel]

I googled it and can see how putting a tank there would be best! Thank you.

 

[Retired Viking]

The more joist you can have under the tank the better, also you may have to worry about floor compression depending on the material it is made of.