Tank on 3rd floor condo

madmike · 04/16/2007, 05:51 PM

I am purchasing a 3rd story condo with a loft above it. I want to put a large tank in the loft but i dont know what size tank the loft will support. The condo was built this year and is brand new. Any info on where to begin would be great.
Thanks

justinm0424 · 04/16/2007, 05:58 PM

I was wondering the same thing. I just put my 150gal on the 2nd floor of my apartment.

Mojo Jojo · 04/16/2007, 06:13 PM

That is crazy if the house is wood supported. I'm scared of having my 90 on the 1st floor

InvaderJim · 04/16/2007, 07:54 PM

I'm also worried about this. I live on the 3rd floor, and I am too scared to put my 90g up here. I think I'm going to buy a 65 just for a third floor tank. lol

How big is the tank your talking about putting on the 3rd floor?

madmike · 04/16/2007, 08:30 PM

I'd like to go big, like 200 plus...but if people are worried about 90's, i guess this will be out of the question,lol.

InvaderJim · 04/16/2007, 08:49 PM

I may also be too paranoid. You can always call whoever owns/built the condo and ask them.

engine · 04/16/2007, 08:50 PM

im putting a 75w/ 30 gallon sump on the second floor. Ive talked to several people who have put 75 and 90's upstairs. I even new someone who had a 150 upstairs for about 2 years.

madmike · 04/16/2007, 09:52 PM

"All second and third floor flats have a poured in place gypsum 2000-pound subfloor"

Can anyone elaberate as to what this means?
Thanks

InvaderJim · 04/16/2007, 09:55 PM

I think what that means as the floor can hold up to 2000 pounds. So a 200+ gallon tank would not work.

karlmarx · 04/16/2007, 09:57 PM

Do what i did get the blueprints and find out where the load bearing wall is and ask a professional if the wall could support the weight of the tank (Gallons * 8 = lbs not including tank). If it's a wood beam and it starts to sag it could be a very exensive repair.

ps. in my case it is a cement floor and a metal beam so everything is fine.

madmike · 04/16/2007, 10:00 PM

Thanks kalrmarx, i'll try to do that.

rodd1rj · 04/16/2007, 10:00 PM

Right now I have a 110 tall with a 20 gallon sump on the 3rd floor of a college condo with no problems so far (knocking on wood as I type). I would definalty make sure you figure out which way the beams go and which way the planks go. Also putting the tank as close to wieght bearing wall is a major part.

InvaderJim · 04/16/2007, 10:01 PM

My apartment complex doesn't tell me squat about how its built. How do I tell if the floor is cement?

davidryder · 04/16/2007, 10:28 PM

You will have better luck getting in touch with the people who designed/built it. The floor is 100% not concrete if it is above ground level unless it has some serious pillars throughout the floor. Concrete is way too heavy to use as an above ground floor without using many pillars to support it. I would say with quite a bit of certainty that it will be safe. I am on the third floor and never even though there would be an issue - I also have a 90g.

InvaderJim · 04/16/2007, 10:40 PM

Alright well I guess I will give it a shot then.

Thanks

madmike · 04/16/2007, 10:44 PM

your saying that what will be safe davidryder? A 90 gallon or larger?

Mojo Jojo · 04/16/2007, 11:16 PM

Dont take any advice from what people have in any floor. It all depends on the age of the house, and the material used to make/support the floor. *Hint* keep it as far away from the middle of the house. Put it against the wall and closer to a corner. A 200g tank will be too much. That will easy hit 2,000 lbs with equipment, etc. I could go into the physics behind it, center of gravity, force, blah blah all that good stuff. I just came home from school, and tired of learning. Too lazy to calculate everything.

O yeah and a gallon of water equals 8.345lbs to be exact so you do the math.

davidryder · 04/16/2007, 11:44 PM

If it isn't safe there will be a lot of warning signs: bowing, unlevelness over time, sinking, etc... it's not just going to fall through the floor.

jobob · 04/16/2007, 11:55 PM

Im going though kinda the same thing. Im setting up a 120g tank on my 1st floor, but have a basement. I currently have a 75g system, and the new 150g system will be on the other side of the same room for 2 weeks as it cycles. I heard something about anything over 100 or 150g(Cant remember) you have to resupport the floor. The new tank is going in the corner of 2 load bearing walls, so its probably ok. But just in case Im going to put up 2 new 4x4 supports and some 2x4 between beams.

larac · 04/17/2007, 12:41 AM

I have a 75G on the second floor in a condo. In my case I had my father, who is a contractor, ok it for me. He said he would not go any larger than a 75, however all buildings are different. You need to make sure your tank is not horizontal to the floor beams so that more than one beam takes the weight. It is also best to have it along an outside wall.

Mr31415 · 04/17/2007, 01:46 AM

Just remember that whatever the weight the floor was designed to carry - it is assumed it is being spread evenly across the whole floor. A tank is a huge weight on a very small footprint, which increases the pressure dramatically.

In South Africa a second level floor is almost always a 20-30cm thick cement slab. This slab is designed to hold anywhere between 150kg/m^2 to 300kg/m^2. Obviously the safety margin is something huge like 3-4 times that, however you never want to go in to that margin as it depends on the building contractor exactly how much that margin is. You will never know for sure.

So if I were to put a 500l (approx 135g) tank on that floor, the tank will have an approximate weight of 666kg/m^2 (assuming stand etc. weighs 150kg). That is already outside the spec.

I did however find if you place your tank against a load bearing wall you can make this work... But it is only exact science if you can get the info from the contractor who build your floor.

madmike · 04/17/2007, 11:20 AM

I have requested the blueprints from the builder in my offer to purchase so hopefully I will be able to get a professional opinion once I have them in hand.

I was planning on placing my pool table in the loft as it is a pretty large room, but i think that all of this weight just might come crashing down on me,lol.

kingnai · 04/17/2007, 04:25 PM

the 2000 lb is per square inch... it will hold no problem

specialkb · 04/18/2007, 06:41 AM

^^^ yeah should be no problem at all.

Mr31415 · 04/18/2007, 08:28 AM

kingnai - are you sure? It sounds excessive - 900kg per square inch.... My 22cm thick concrete floor is spec-ed at 300kg / sq. meter...

04/16/2007, 05:51 PM	#1
madmike Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 678	Tank on 3rd floor condo I am purchasing a 3rd story condo with a loft above it. I want to put a large tank in the loft but i dont know what size tank the loft will support. The condo was built this year and is brand new. Any info on where to begin would be great. Thanks

04/16/2007, 10:00 PM	#12
rodd1rj Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Mt. Pleasant, MI Posts: 224	Right now I have a 110 tall with a 20 gallon sump on the 3rd floor of a college condo with no problems so far (knocking on wood as I type). I would definalty make sure you figure out which way the beams go and which way the planks go. Also putting the tank as close to wieght bearing wall is a major part. __________________ Ryan.... Go wings.... Fire up Chips Current Tank Info: 110 gallon reef, SPS, LPS, and Softies

04/16/2007, 10:28 PM	#14
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	You will have better luck getting in touch with the people who designed/built it. The floor is 100% not concrete if it is above ground level unless it has some serious pillars throughout the floor. Concrete is way too heavy to use as an above ground floor without using many pillars to support it. I would say with quite a bit of certainty that it will be safe. I am on the third floor and never even though there would be an issue - I also have a 90g. __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

04/16/2007, 11:44 PM	#18
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	If it isn't safe there will be a lot of warning signs: bowing, unlevelness over time, sinking, etc... it's not just going to fall through the floor. __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

04/17/2007, 04:25 PM	#23
kingnai Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dunnellon, FL Posts: 1,464	the 2000 lb is per square inch... it will hold no problem __________________ Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value. Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them. Current Tank Info: 92 AGA Corner

04/16/2007, 05:58 PM	#2
justinm0424 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 358	I was wondering the same thing. I just put my 150gal on the 2nd floor of my apartment.

04/16/2007, 06:13 PM	#3
Mojo Jojo Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,495	That is crazy if the house is wood supported. I'm scared of having my 90 on the 1st floor

04/16/2007, 07:54 PM	#4
InvaderJim Coral Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,163	I'm also worried about this. I live on the 3rd floor, and I am too scared to put my 90g up here. I think I'm going to buy a 65 just for a third floor tank. lol How big is the tank your talking about putting on the 3rd floor?

04/16/2007, 08:30 PM	#5
madmike Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 678	I'd like to go big, like 200 plus...but if people are worried about 90's, i guess this will be out of the question,lol.

04/16/2007, 08:49 PM	#6
InvaderJim Coral Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,163	I may also be too paranoid. You can always call whoever owns/built the condo and ask them.

04/16/2007, 08:50 PM	#7
engine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orlando Posts: 312	im putting a 75w/ 30 gallon sump on the second floor. Ive talked to several people who have put 75 and 90's upstairs. I even new someone who had a 150 upstairs for about 2 years.

04/16/2007, 09:52 PM	#8
madmike Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 678	"All second and third floor flats have a poured in place gypsum 2000-pound subfloor" Can anyone elaberate as to what this means? Thanks

04/16/2007, 09:55 PM	#9
InvaderJim Coral Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,163	I think what that means as the floor can hold up to 2000 pounds. So a 200+ gallon tank would not work.

04/16/2007, 09:57 PM	#10
karlmarx Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 476	Do what i did get the blueprints and find out where the load bearing wall is and ask a professional if the wall could support the weight of the tank (Gallons * 8 = lbs not including tank). If it's a wood beam and it starts to sag it could be a very exensive repair. ps. in my case it is a cement floor and a metal beam so everything is fine.

04/16/2007, 10:01 PM	#13
InvaderJim Coral Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,163	My apartment complex doesn't tell me squat about how its built. How do I tell if the floor is cement?

04/16/2007, 10:40 PM	#15
InvaderJim Coral Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,163	Alright well I guess I will give it a shot then. Thanks

04/16/2007, 10:44 PM	#16
madmike Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 678	your saying that what will be safe davidryder? A 90 gallon or larger?

04/16/2007, 11:16 PM	#17
Mojo Jojo Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,495	Dont take any advice from what people have in any floor. It all depends on the age of the house, and the material used to make/support the floor. Hint keep it as far away from the middle of the house. Put it against the wall and closer to a corner. A 200g tank will be too much. That will easy hit 2,000 lbs with equipment, etc. I could go into the physics behind it, center of gravity, force, blah blah all that good stuff. I just came home from school, and tired of learning. Too lazy to calculate everything. O yeah and a gallon of water equals 8.345lbs to be exact so you do the math.

04/16/2007, 11:55 PM	#19
jobob Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: wilkes-barre,pa Posts: 194	Im going though kinda the same thing. Im setting up a 120g tank on my 1st floor, but have a basement. I currently have a 75g system, and the new 150g system will be on the other side of the same room for 2 weeks as it cycles. I heard something about anything over 100 or 150g(Cant remember) you have to resupport the floor. The new tank is going in the corner of 2 load bearing walls, so its probably ok. But just in case Im going to put up 2 new 4x4 supports and some 2x4 between beams.

04/17/2007, 12:41 AM	#20
larac Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: MO Posts: 160	I have a 75G on the second floor in a condo. In my case I had my father, who is a contractor, ok it for me. He said he would not go any larger than a 75, however all buildings are different. You need to make sure your tank is not horizontal to the floor beams so that more than one beam takes the weight. It is also best to have it along an outside wall.

04/17/2007, 01:46 AM	#21
Mr31415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey, Canada Posts: 1,926	Just remember that whatever the weight the floor was designed to carry - it is assumed it is being spread evenly across the whole floor. A tank is a huge weight on a very small footprint, which increases the pressure dramatically. In South Africa a second level floor is almost always a 20-30cm thick cement slab. This slab is designed to hold anywhere between 150kg/m^2 to 300kg/m^2. Obviously the safety margin is something huge like 3-4 times that, however you never want to go in to that margin as it depends on the building contractor exactly how much that margin is. You will never know for sure. So if I were to put a 500l (approx 135g) tank on that floor, the tank will have an approximate weight of 666kg/m^2 (assuming stand etc. weighs 150kg). That is already outside the spec. I did however find if you place your tank against a load bearing wall you can make this work... But it is only exact science if you can get the info from the contractor who build your floor.

04/17/2007, 11:20 AM	#22
madmike Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 678	I have requested the blueprints from the builder in my offer to purchase so hopefully I will be able to get a professional opinion once I have them in hand. I was planning on placing my pool table in the loft as it is a pretty large room, but i think that all of this weight just might come crashing down on me,lol.

04/18/2007, 06:41 AM	#24
specialkb Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Fort Myers, Florida Posts: 340	^^^ yeah should be no problem at all. __________________ Kyle Current Tank Info: 90G Reef, setting up 230G Reef

04/18/2007, 08:28 AM	#25
Mr31415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey, Canada Posts: 1,926	kingnai - are you sure? It sounds excessive - 900kg per square inch.... My 22cm thick concrete floor is spec-ed at 300kg / sq. meter...