Keeping A Juwel Rio 180 L In An Upstairs Flat

[sandyhands]

After looking around at various tanks online, the Juwel Rio 180 L has really caught my eye but I have one problem and that is I know its a decent size tank and I live upstairs, will this tank be any problem for the floorboards of an upstairs flat?
 
Are these tanks really worth the price they go for?

 

[KirkyArcher]

Just the water alone would weigh something like 28 stone + another 12 or so for the stand, tank itself and necessary equipment, so positioning the tank over a structurally sound part of the building needs to be considered, and extreme corners of buildings do tend to be very sturdy (that's were a lot of baths are located) failing that above to or close to supporting walls beneath the tank position would be recommended, if it's an older property with tongue and groove floorboards it will help you determine which way joists are running to get a better idea of the structure for most support, for insurance purposes it would probably be best to seek advice from a structural engineer to be completely on the safe side though you may think it's a little OTT

 

[sandyhands]

It's an oldish house around 100 years. What size tanks would be safe without having to get a structural engineer to come out and tell me just I know these people can cost a lot.

 

[KirkyArcher]

I've got a 125 litre Fluval Roma upstairs I limited it to that size, for the very reason you are deliberating, mine is situated in the room and is positioned so that it's in the same orientation as the floorboards run meaning there is lots of supporting joists underneath it.
But as an example an average bath tub full of water will weigh 34 stone based on 220 litre capacity for you to consider the decision further.

 

[sandyhands]

I've just searched the 125 they look alright and actually a decent size, I might get a corner tank instead of one that might take up a lot of room. The thing is with the bath comparison is that the part the bath goes is normally reinforced stronger than normal joists and floorboards in other parts of an upstairs flat/apartment/house/etc, although I do get where you are coming from.
 
I'd have a big tank outside in a greenhouse or something but then you don't get the joys of seeing it much and its not the same imho.

Are 3ft/4ft by 1ft by 1.5ft fish tanks suitable for upstairs flats or again too much? I really do like the juwels but they are really expensive though as well.

 

[KirkyArcher]

I know it's marginally smaller but it's about 4 stone lighter is the 

Aqua One Aquarium and Cabinet Eurostyle Corner

and considerably cheaper than the Jewel

 

[sandyhands]

I quite like the look of that to be honest. I know a friend who works in a glass company kind of place, is it difficult to seal glass together to make a tank or not because she says I can get specific sizes?

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Tanks come in all shapes and sizes, a long tank with moderate width and height can spread its weight over more joists, such as my ~181x44x39cm (~310l) in my first floor flat made of 10mm glass. Including decor, that is ~400Kg spread over 5 joists.