Large reef tank in high rise apartment??

[nmertz1]

I am looking at purchasing an apartment in downtown Denver and I was wondering if it would be able to support a large fish tank? It would be on the 27-40th floor, although I'm not sure if that matters. Has anyone else dealt with this?

-Nick

 

[cultivatedcoral]

I am looking at purchasing an apartment in downtown Denver and I was wondering if it would be able to support a large fish tank? It would be on the 27-40th floor, although I'm not sure if that matters. Has anyone else dealt with this?

-Nick

I have not dealt with this myself but I would want to know if the floors of the building were poured concrete or not. If poured concrete you should be fine from a weight standpoint. Another issue is do they have a freight elevator. Not sure if you can get more than a 6 foot long tank into a standard elevator.

 

[FL_Reefer]

I have not dealt with this myself but I would want to know if the floors of the building were poured concrete or not. If poured concrete you should be fine from a weight standpoint. Another issue is do they have a freight elevator. Not sure if you can get more than a 6 foot long tank into a standard elevator.

+1 on knowing the construction of the sub floors. Reinforced concrete should have no problem but if it's metal bar-joist and lightweight concrete then you may want to reconsider the size a bit. What size is the tank you are thing about? Remember saltwater weighs +/- 8.55 pounds per gallon, 200 gallon= +/-2,000 pounds or more with equipment.

 

[wildernet]

You should also check the building rules. Had a friend that did about 100,000 in damage to floors below him when his 400 gallon tank shattered.

 

[Genesis Corals]

I would bet that such a tall building can easily handle the weight and have a large service elevator to fit at least a king size bed in. I think the more important question is what your liabilty would be if it leaked/burst, especially if your contract says no aquariums allowed. I would just ask the landlord.

 

[FL_Reefer]

The structural members of the building support the weight load of the next floor. Most buildings up north where you are located are constructed with metal I-bean and metal bar-joist sub floors. If it's a newer building then most likely it will be all concrete. Large apartment/condominiums have a large maint. Staff or building engineer that you could possibly speak with to determine the construction of the sub floor but before you go through all that trouble, as mentioned before, check the building/association rules on this type of thing.