Tank Weight

[tttnjfttt]

I know i have seen this here before, but I can't seem to find it with search. I am eyeballing a 125 gallon tank, but am concerned with the weight. Is it true that it has to be against a weight bearing wall? OR do i just need to look at the way the floor joists are running? I'm looking to put it on the first floor, i'm not sure about which way the floor joists are running (can easily check), and I know the wall it is up against isn't a weight bearing wall (atleast i'm pretty sure about that).

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

I know i have seen this here before, but I can't seem to find it with search. I am eyeballing a 125 gallon tank, but am concerned with the weight. Is it true that it has to be against a weight bearing wall? OR do i just need to look at the way the floor joists are running? I'm looking to put it on the first floor, i'm not sure about which way the floor joists are running (can easily check), and I know the wall it is up against isn't a weight bearing wall (atleast i'm pretty sure about that).

Firstly, make sure you take a look at the way the floorboards run, its always better to have the tank across four-six floorboards rather than one or two, as the weight has less surface area.

Secondly, either a designed tank stand, or a thick piece of wood is essential for keeping that sized tank away from the ground floor. If you don't want to buy the stand, then make sure the wood is large enough to cover the whole base of the tank, after this - you may either place the tank directly on top of the wood, or use a table not designed for fish tanks.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you have no over-hang off the tank when using a table, this will cause the tank to bend and cause unnecassary weight on lesser surface area.

If you follow the above steps, you should be fine. I have had no problems with my 180 litre aquarium, and although yours is many times bigger, I can't see you experiancing a problem.

 

[tttnjfttt]

the tank comes with a stand. Here is a pix of it.

 

[PlecMama]

I have absolutely nothing to add, I just wanted to tell you that is one fine tank! I'm so jealous Congrats!!

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

Ok that stand should be fine, im just glad I am not the one getting onto the first floor, me thinking you have to go upstairs right?

P.S Great tank!

 

[tttnjfttt]

nope, no stairs if i bring it in through the back door. In the US, first floor is the same as ground floor.

 

[The-Wolf]

if you click on tankmaster in my sig
and then use the aquarium analyzer
it will tell you the water weight
add this to the tank and cabinet weight
for your calculations
then you know if it will be ok or not.

 

[anvil63]

Great tank. Like everyone else said make sure its running across the joists. I would but it close to a weight bearing wall though. With modern construction, a tank this size is not going to go crashing through the floor even if put in the middle of the room, but it IS a lot of weight. If it was put in the middle of a room or along a non-load bearing wall you might begin to notice a sag in the floor. This probably wouldn't be evident for a while, but for example, if the tank sat in the middle of the room for 15 years I would expect some noticable degree of deformation in the joists.

I've got a 150gal on my ground floor over my basement and have had no problems. It is against a load bearing wall, but even as such, since I'm paranoid I check for any deviation every month or so with a laser level and a tiny mark I made on the opposing wall.

Good luck

Carl

 

[Katchan]

Heres a link to an artical which someone else posted sometime ago, but I've kept bookmarked since. Hope it helps and doesnt confuse to much,


andrew

 

[diademhill]

Heres a link to an artical which someone else posted sometime ago, but I've kept bookmarked since. Hope it helps and doesnt confuse to much,


andrew

Good article!
When I've had "normal" timber floors downstairs I've built pillars ( as if building a blockwork tank stand) under the floor. Do make sure to incorporate a damp proof membrane. This takes out the guesswork and gives the added insurance that if, for any reason, a joist rots or fails the tank is still supported.

Just as well reallyI do this really. My last house was 200+ years old & I found a well under the old kitchen floor along with joists that would not have held the six foot tank I was planning.

Sue

 

[rdd1952]

If you figure the area of the base of the stand (width x length.) Standard 125 is 72 x 18 so stand is probably about 76 x 24 or 1824 sq in. Figure the weight of the tank (this site says about 1400 lb including water). You'll also have to figure the weight of the stand, probably another 200 pounds. Total weight about 1600 lb spread over 1800 sq in is less that 1 lb per sq in. As long as the base has a solid bottom where the weight is evenly distributed over that area as Fishkeeper said, you should have no problem at all. Your bed (being on only 4 to 6 legs), especially if it's a water bed, or even your refrigerator (those are heavy buggers and are generally sitting on only 4 legs which you can't ever get level) probably puts more stress on the flooring than the tank will.

 

[tttnjfttt]

thanks for the info everyone. I will be getting a chance to go under my house tomorrow or the next day to check the space i have planned is a weight bearing wall and which way the joists run. After that, its just me deciding if I can afford it. But how many of us really take into account what is affordable when there is a major deal on a tank