How many gallons is safe for 2nd floor apartment?

[Intricateart]

I would install a waterproof liner under stand and where you will be working with buckets at the tank.No matter how careful we are water always finds its way to the floor.You might also want to add some reserve capacity to your sump or refugium should the water level rise.Even just aquascaping can bring a few gallons of elbow drips to your floor.

 

[Flameback Pair]

The weight is rarely the issue. What would happened if there was a flood? I would definitely check into insurance even if it's not required. That type of insurance is usually a dirt cheap one time payment.

 

[reefrottie]

I have 50k of rental insurance.

 

[KillerKlownFish]

Very entertaining read. First I was like... Really? This guy is worried about weight? Then I see its a huge tank...now I'm jealous. If you rent or own I'd look into insurance and make sure I'm covered. Go to city hall and get the info on the building. Like the one guy said use a liner. It may help. How many floors is the building? If it's a high rise it's made of concrete.
You also want the wall that if something happened you'd have the least amount of damage to your neighbors and the building. Keep in mind water travels in many directions looking to keep going.
Best of luck...
Post some pics would love to see that tank

 

[Intricateart]

Make good and sure your renters insurance includes flood insurance, because home owners insurance certainly doesn't.

 

[inurocker]

You are most likely all good. Just to play devils advocate for a second. In the event of a catastrophic failure the cost of your neighbors possessions, possible structural damage, loss of rent by you landlords and god forbid personal injury could be way more than 50K. If it were me I would want to make extra sure I was covered, my landlord was aware of my plans and all the T's were crossed and I's dotted.

 

[reefrottie]

Everyone has been a big help and I appreciate all the suggestions. I'll certainly check on my renters insurance and make sure it includes flood coverage. I will certainly post pictures when I get the build started. I'm upgrading from a DSA 65/custom stand and I think I'm going to go with the 135gal to be safe. It is a 72" so the weight would be really spread out and not to mention my fish will have a whole lot of swimming room. Now just to pay for all this stuff!! Anyone want to make offers on my first born??

 

[Swine]

I'd double check your policy. I have been looking into renters insurance and most of them cover flood damage but not from things such as fish tanks.

I am in the same boat and am looking for the largest amount of weight that I can put on a second story comfortably. Luckily I only have parking spaces below me but replacing a car if the tank goes through the floor wouldnt be cheap either ahha.

Also, little confused by redfishbluefish saying you want the tank parallel with the joists. Maybe he was talking about the width instead of length of the tank? Or maybe he has a peninsula style tank

A little more info here too.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-discussion/138228-tank-weight-vs-floor-joists.html

 

[Intricateart]

I'd double check your policy. I have been looking into renters insurance and most of them cover flood damage but not from things such as fish tanks.

If they claim they will cover it, make them put in it writing. If you can't find a renters policy that will cover it, there is always Lloyds of London. They will insure whatever you want, for however much you want. If you tell that a tank failure will cause 50gs of damage, they will insure your tank for that amount.

 

[Beradd]

I am also In the same predicament, I currently am running a 20L with a 20 sump just chock full of live rock with an empty 4' 65g just Itching to
be set up ... I have run a 50B on the second floor of a apartment before with no Issues but it was on a outside weight bearing wall ... but 50 or 60 x 8 pounds per gallon of water weight = 400 is much more manageable than say 300 x 8 =2400 pounds of concentrated water weight not counting equipment. what is stopping me from setting up my 65 is not the weight i think the place i am in can handle that.... i don't think it could handle it wet though. water splash and catastrophic tank failure has to be taken into consideration especially when wood and dry wall are part of the equation.

 

[Reevas]

Hello! I know this thread is old, I just read it and was wondering if the owner of the post would be able to update telling us if there were any issues with the second floor holding the big aquarium.

I live on a second floor, 8 months into the hobby, and wanting to change from 55 gal to a bigger one.

Thank you in advance!
Reevas

We live in an apartment building on the 2nd floor that was built in 2006. We are looking at getting a 180 but how do I know if it is safe? I keep hearing it is from different people but I'm just not sure yet.

 

[marcomiami]

most ive had on a second floor is a 90, my buddy had a 180 on a second floor with out issues.

Can i ask some info about that please