Max Tank Size on 2nd Floor Condo

[bruindave]

I thought I'd just throw this out there. If I were to upgrade from my 28 gallon jbj nano cube to something bigger, what would you all say is the safe max size including sump and stand weight.

I got an itch...

 

[scr_dayOne]

It depends on the condo

 

[JDEllis]

Depends on how the condo was built and size of the floor joist. Also would depends are you putting it parallel or perpendicular to the joist. The more joist you cross the more weight you can handle.

 

[bruindave]

i'm not really sure i even know which way the beams are running. i do have engineered wood floors. i would think those might bow with all that weight.

 

[Paranoiattack91]

Exactly what jdellis said. I have a 120 gallon with a 40 gallon dump on my second story condo

 

[chk30]

I have a 140 and 20 on sump on my 2 story. Too

 

[Jetsetter57]

So that's 2000 lbs basically. If you're in a condo shouldn't you have an HOA? They should easily be able to tell you which way the beams run and what they're designed to hold.

 

[bruindave]

So that's 2000 lbs basically. If you're in a condo shouldn't you have an HOA? They should easily be able to tell you which way the beams run and what they're designed to hold.

yea i'm going to go ask.

 

[iammrhappy]

I do not allow tenants to have aquariums anymore at my apartment complex. Too many spills due to novice aquarist. But when I did allow them to have aquariums, I made sure they put the tank over a beam. Theyre usually adjacent to the outer most walls of your place depending on how it was built. No problems with collapsing floors for me, but it was too much of a problem when it came to spills and leaks.

 

[Justkeepswimming]

I have a 125 plus my sump on the third story for a year now. Gamble.... maybe. Lol

 

[theMerchant]

scary thread, I would be scared to put that much weight upstairs especially in Cali. We all take risk aqulove
8.55 lbs for 1.25 SW +
Tank +
Stand/equipment
Make sure your homeowners/earthquake insurance covers any damage

 

[cisco64]

I had a 55g against a wall that was in the middle of the apartment. No issues. If it's a newer build, there should be no issues especially if you put it against a perimeter wall.

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[oredith]

too much of an open ended question. pictures can help though.

if i can see an overhead of your condo unit, and a picture of the room you're putting it in, i can tell you pretty accurately how your floor joists are run.

it'd also be nice to see if there's a wall under where you want to place the tank.

GENERAL rule of thumb for condo is that you want to place the tank adjacent to the party wall as that will be full height with minimal / no penetrations, so it'll be the strongest wall. floor joists will run 16" on center so you want to spread the load out over as many joists as you can. you should be able to find joists with a stud finder the same way you find wall studs.

with "modern" construction standards, 120g with 40g sump will be fine. 150g with a 40g sump is probably pushing your luck.

 

[reefLA1]

I had a 180 g plus 55g sump on 2nd floor no problems at all

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[Reefer6]

I had a 135 and 40 sump in a bedroom above the garage. Load bearing wall and joist direction are the most important. 2 years no problem.

 

[iammrhappy]

I had a 950 gallon tank on the 8th floor center of the room under no stud no beam No problemz. Just kidding

 

[Tangwich]

I once had a 2nd floor and had a 34 red sea max on that 2nd floor. In my room actually. So I can attest that you can probably comfortably and safely keep a 34 gallon on the 2nd floor. THE END~