Second Floor Weight Limit

[nrshutt]

I’m moving house and am looking to upgrade to a much larger tank. I want the tank in my bedroom, which is on the second floor. In terms of dimensions, the IM 50G Lagoon is perfect. I calculated the weight to be circa 780lbs (stand, tank, water, sand + rock). I plan to place the tank in a corner of one outside wall and one load interior wall. I am nervous that the tank will be too heavy, particularly with the weight being distributed on (im assuming) 4 legs of the stand.

Will the floor be able to support this weight? If I built a wooden frame to put underneath to distribute weight more evenly, would that be enough?

If not, what is the largest tank the floor could 1. Comfortably hold 2. Probably hold 3. Definitely not hold?

 

[TX_REEF]

the general guidance is 40 lbs per square foot. What's the footprint of the tank?

That being said, it would probably be ok located perpendicular to the joists adjacent to 2 load bearing walls...

 

[cohojoe412]

Is it an older or newer house? Probably fine in a corner on two exterior walls. What are the tank dimensions?

 

[Serpentman2024]

I’m moving house and am looking to upgrade to a much larger tank. I want the tank in my bedroom, which is on the second floor. In terms of dimensions, the IM 50G Lagoon is perfect. I calculated the weight to be circa 780lbs (stand, tank, water, sand + rock). I plan to place the tank in a corner of one outside wall and one load interior wall. I am nervous that the tank will be too heavy, particularly with the weight being distributed on (im assuming) 4 legs of the stand.

Will the floor be able to support this weight? If I built a wooden frame to put underneath to distribute weight more evenly, would that be enough?

If not, what is the largest tank the floor could 1. Comfortably hold 2. Probably hold 3. Definitely not hold?

For what its worth, I have my IM 75 on a second floor (perpendicular to joists) with no issues and no floor sagging.

However, I'm contemplating an upgrade to a standard 180 (~2000lbs) so starting to wonder myself if the floor will sag.

 

[JayM]

I’m moving house and am looking to upgrade to a much larger tank. I want the tank in my bedroom, which is on the second floor. In terms of dimensions, the IM 50G Lagoon is perfect. I calculated the weight to be circa 780lbs (stand, tank, water, sand + rock). I plan to place the tank in a corner of one outside wall and one load interior wall. I am nervous that the tank will be too heavy, particularly with the weight being distributed on (im assuming) 4 legs of the stand.

Will the floor be able to support this weight? If I built a wooden frame to put underneath to distribute weight more evenly, would that be enough?

If not, what is the largest tank the floor could 1. Comfortably hold 2. Probably hold 3. Definitely not hold?

I had a king size waterbed upstairs for years. Probably close to 2000 lbs total weight. You'll be fine.

 

[Formulator]

I’m moving house and am looking to upgrade to a much larger tank. I want the tank in my bedroom, which is on the second floor. In terms of dimensions, the IM 50G Lagoon is perfect. I calculated the weight to be circa 780lbs (stand, tank, water, sand + rock). I plan to place the tank in a corner of one outside wall and one load interior wall. I am nervous that the tank will be too heavy, particularly with the weight being distributed on (im assuming) 4 legs of the stand.

Will the floor be able to support this weight? If I built a wooden frame to put underneath to distribute weight more evenly, would that be enough?

If not, what is the largest tank the floor could 1. Comfortably hold 2. Probably hold 3. Definitely not hold?

You will be fine. Just make sure it is positioned perpendicular to the floor joists. I have had a 120g above my basement in 2 different homes with no problem. Think about how much a large bathtub full of water weighs and remember they are in many homes without any additional structural support.

 

[nrshutt]

You will be fine. Just make sure it is positioned perpendicular to the floor joists. I have had a 120g above my basement in 2 different homes with no problem. Think about how much a large bathtub full of water weighs and remember they are in many homes without any additional structural support.

How do I determine which way the floor joists are going? It’s also a rather square tank, so I don’t think that is as big a concern, it’ll probably be perpendicular enough either way. But, could would still offer me some more closer to identify the joists

 

[Formulator]

How do I determine which way the floor joists are going? It’s also a rather square tank, so I don’t think that is as big a concern, it’ll probably be perpendicular enough either way. But, could would still offer me some more closer to identify the joists

Typically they run along the shortest dimension of your house, assuming your house isn’t a perfect square, but the only way to know for sure is to get eyes on them or use a stud finder on the ceiling below. If you have an attic, you could peak at them from above. They will run the same direction in the attic as on the floor below.

 

[saltcats]

If you have the plans for your house it might indicate the joist direction (although I don't know if that's guaranteed to be accurate; I know some things can vary from the plan but not sure if joists are allowed to).