Tank weight 4th floor apartment

[drawman]

I just moved about a month ago to a new one year old apartment building. I have a red sea reefer 250 that I have yet to set back up. I'm guessing this new building is pretty solid but my last apartment had concrete floors so I didn't really worry.

I am planning on putting the tank in the corner of the living room near the outside wall that faces the deck to get the most support. However, I'm debating on having the tank parallel to the wall or perpendicular. My preference is perpendicular as it won't be so crammed against the window as there isn't as much room. I'm guessing that it will be under fewer floor joists but obviously I don't know what's under my floor. Any engineers, carpenters, or knowledgeable builders want to comment?

 

[dimik]

I just moved about a month ago to a new one year old apartment building. I have a red sea reefer 250 that I have yet to set back up. I'm guessing this new building is pretty solid but my last apartment had concrete floors so I didn't really worry.

I am planning on putting the tank in the corner of the living room near the outside wall that faces the deck to get the most support. However, I'm debating on having the tank parallel to the wall or perpendicular. My preference is perpendicular as it won't be so crammed against the window as there isn't as much room. I'm guessing that it will be under fewer floor joists but obviously I don't know what's under my floor. Any engineers, carpenters, or knowledgeable builders want to comment?

It's hard to say what the builder did without looking at the plans. Assuming its 16" wood joist spread, they can hold roughly 300lbs in a single point. But that also depends on what they used above the joist. Proper load bearing floor boards, plywood etc.. Is it possible to get the plans from your building manager?

The reefer 250 is 65 gal? You can also add plywood under the tank to displace the weight more evenly.

 

[dimik]

It also depends which way your joist are running. If they run perpendicular or parallel to the wall that will indicate the best way to set your tank. It's better for the tank to sit over multiple joist rather than between 1-2

 

[MnFish1]

I would check with your apartment manager. There is no other way to answer the question. ?

 

[dimik]

I would check with your apartment manager. There is no other way to answer the question. ?

Not without knowing what kind of joist where used, what kind of floorboards, how far apart the joists are spaced and what direction they run in. I doubt you'll get any benefit from the beam used for the balcony since it's most likely under the wall

 

[ScottR]

I just moved about a month ago to a new one year old apartment building. I have a red sea reefer 250 that I have yet to set back up. I'm guessing this new building is pretty solid but my last apartment had concrete floors so I didn't really worry.

I am planning on putting the tank in the corner of the living room near the outside wall that faces the deck to get the most support. However, I'm debating on having the tank parallel to the wall or perpendicular. My preference is perpendicular as it won't be so crammed against the window as there isn't as much room. I'm guessing that it will be under fewer floor joists but obviously I don't know what's under my floor. Any engineers, carpenters, or knowledgeable builders want to comment?

Funny thing you ask. I just set up a RS 500P, so double yours. I live in a tiny apartment with a thin floor. I worried about the same thing. 2 weeks on, I’m still good. My friend told me that my tank was like 10 full grown men standing in the same area.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Considering the weight of water alone the 65 gallon tank would weigh about 541 lbs. (65gal)(8.33 lbs/gal)=541.45 lbs. But this figure doesn't include the tank weight, rock weight, etc. Figuring about 100 lbs in tank and extras - the total weight of a filled tank somewhere around 650 lbs
Most floors should support it. You will find most apartment structures with mutli-floors are poured concrete easily supporting it. Easy way to confirm is to try and run a nail into carpeted area and see if nail goes in/thru. If so-its wood. If not -concrete

 

[cidermaster]

Builder of 20years . The floor will more than hold that tank .

 

[dimik]

In terms of weight you should be ok if the building was built to code. Considering you place it correctly and put 3/4" plywood underneath to spread out the weight better.

 

[drawman]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

It's hard to say what the builder did without looking at the plans. Assuming its 16" wood joist spread, they can hold roughly 300lbs in a single point. But that also depends on what they used above the joist. Proper load bearing floor boards, plywood etc.. Is it possible to get the plans from your building manager?

The reefer 250 is 65 gal? You can also add plywood under the tank to displace the weight more evenly.

The managers are very difficult to deal with so I won't be able to get the plans unfortunately.

Not without knowing what kind of joist where used, what kind of floorboards, how far apart the joists are spaced and what direction they run in. I doubt you'll get any benefit from the beam used for the balcony since it's most likely under the wall

Yeah actually the bean for the balcony appears to be running horizontally halfway under the balcony itself. It may run the entire length of the building I'm not sure...

Considering the weight of water alone the 65 gallon tank would weigh about 541 lbs. (65gal)(8.33 lbs/gal)=541.45 lbs. But this figure doesn't include the tank weight, rock weight, etc. Figuring about 100 lbs in tank and extras - the total weight of a filled tank somewhere around 650 lbs
Most floors should support it. You will find most apartment structures with mutli-floors are poured concrete easily supporting it. Easy way to confirm is to try and run a nail into carpeted area and see if nail goes in/thru. If so-its wood. If not -concrete

I may try that there is only carpet in the bedroom the rest of the unit is LVT.

In terms of weight you should be ok if the building was built to code. Considering you place it correctly and put 3/4" plywood underneath to spread out the weight better.

Nice depiction that's exactly what I'm going for. The only downside to doing the green checkmark is it will be crammed in the corner. Like you said I'm assuming the joists run that way but who knows.

 

[dimik]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

The managers are very difficult to deal with so I won't be able to get the plans unfortunately.

Yeah actually the bean for the balcony appears to be running horizontally halfway under the balcony itself. It may run the entire length of the building I'm not sure...

I may try that there is only carpet in the bedroom the rest of the unit is LVT.

Nice depiction that's exactly what I'm going for. The only downside to doing the green checkmark is it will be crammed in the corner. Like you said I'm assuming the joists run that way but who knows.

Hey you don't actually need to jam it in the corner, I just used it as an example! The more surface area against the wall the better. Also, not sure what state you live in but in NYC we have a online database of all plans for all buildings. PM me and I can do some research for you. If you don't want to give me your address just give me your state, town and I can see if your local buildings department has that for you.

 

[MnFish1]

Not without knowing what kind of joist where used, what kind of floorboards, how far apart the joists are spaced and what direction they run in. I doubt you'll get any benefit from the beam used for the balcony since it's most likely under the wall

Thats why I suggested he talk to the manager of his apartment - or the maintenance person - who can check for joists, studs, etc. Additionally some apartments won't allow aquariums - above a certain size - and in that case you can have serious problems with renters insurance... I hope he has good luck getting information and installing his tank

 

[drawman]

Thats why I suggested he talk to the manager of his apartment - or the maintenance person - who can check for joists, studs, etc. Additionally some apartments won't allow aquariums - above a certain size - and in that case you can have serious problems with renters insurance... I hope he has good luck getting information and installing his tank

Yeah you're absolutely right. I definitely made sure to get the tank cleared before I moved in and am actually in talks with my insurance agent to add insurance for any damage from the tank.

 

[malacoda]

Unless it's a really old apartment building that was built by an untrained, DIY contractor to plans that weren't to code, you'll be fine with a 65g.

Building codes have to take into account not just a large gathering of people in a room ... but things like a lot of people in a room full of furniture that includes a piano. (A typical upright piano weights 500-1000 lbs).

Really, the point where you have to begin to due some due diligence is when you're looking at 120g or larger (1200 lbs of water weight + several hundred pounds more in tank, stand, and rock). That kind of weight in a furniture-filled room, away from load bearing structure beneath it (e.g. crawl-space pillar, basement posts or load-bearing walls, etc.) is where you may begin to run the risk of sagging floors over time.

If you want a detailed overview that delves into load bearing capabilities, code/engineering factors-of-safety, etc., you can check this out: http://www.african-cichlid.com/Structure.htm