180g in a top floor of an apartment building

[RonsterNYC]

Does anyone know how I can assure myself that IF I decide to upgrade to a 180g (acrylic) from a 120g (glass) that it won't crash down to the floors below me? Is there a calculation available for that such as I don't know - so many sq ft can handle so much weight... Just fishing around that's all. Thanks! :shhh:

 

[Deanos]

Have the apartment inspected by someone certified in load-bearing floors.

 

[ReefnQueens]

as long as its not on a steel frame with the 4 steel legs on the floor .....might be too much pressure for four spots .....if you have a wooden stand that would be much safer because the whole base of it takes all the pressure.....if i had to take a guess id say the beams in your building run from front to back so there for you would want to place the stand sideways on those beams because every 16 inches there will be a beam taking the pressure .........if you put your tank parallel with the beam it might be sittin on one beam taking all the pressure ...... if its a farely new building i wouldnt stress it .......more important make sure there are no leaks in the tank .....ive been through it with a 125 gallon when i lived above a deli and i had to put up new cielings myself due to the old cieling falling down cuz of water damage......the owner was throwing rocks at my window one morning to wake me up....what a pleasant day that was lolll good luck

 

[RonsterNYC]

It's a prewar building and the tank would be on a wooden stand, so you're correct that the pressure would be evenly distributed. Would going down the basement to see if I can see how the beams go help?

 

[Solace Aquatics LLC]

Have the apartment inspected by someone certified in load-bearing floors.

It is the only to be sure.

IMO it would be worth every penny.

 

[JLAudio]

couple of things to look into:
A. Tank is positioned perpendicular to the floor joists
B. It is against a load bearing wall (outside of house walls)
C. MAKE SURE ITS LEVEL!! sideways and front and back. I made this mistake and had to empty tank and use shims (a freakn nightmare!)

These are some thoughts besides having a structural specialist asses the situation. Many of this you probably already know, but this is what I was told when I had a 125 on second floor of apartment and started an almost identical thread

 

[fali]

I agree with getting a certified person to check for you. Just make sure to let them know its a 2000 lb(estimated) tank you plan on putting.

 

[Davidl919]

I have a 140 on the top floor pre war building and it sits on two beams
I put some painters tape behind the tank to see if I see any changes in height in relation to the wall since the back of the tank is about 1 1/2 inches from the wall. I've had it up for over six months but I still get nightmares everytime I have a water spill.
Every gallon of saltwater is about 8.5 to 10 pounds. So calculate using that, the material, Equiptment you will use, and rock/sand.

 

[JLAudio]

I would also suggest some waterproof plastic lining under the tank and if its going on a rug floor pull the rug up and put some plastic lining under it, Just in case you have a spill. I regretted not doing it when I spilled some 30 gallons on the floor due to a plumbing disaster.