300 gallons to BIG for an apartment?

[Birdhawk23]

Hey guys, so I came across this deal I just cant deny... Its a 265 tank, stand, and canopy fully loaded I am going to purchase. I plan to run a 75 gallon sump underneath...
In your experience/knowledge is 300 gallons to big for a second story apartment? The apartment is only 5 years old and is currently housing my 150 and 72 just fine...
Is there a better location to place the tank to ensure structural safety? Thanks guys!

[JoeRonda]

What do the floor joists look like under the tank area? Are they 2x6's, or 2x4's? How far apart are they? Are they running "with" the length of your tanks or "against" them? The preferrable orientation is against the length of the tanks in order to distribute weight better. Just reading your post I would say that you are already pushing your luck with what you have. I have read that a 180 or less is the max for any floor that is not "on-grade". Unless you have an inspection from a structural engineer, we are all just guessing.

[dzfish17]

Im going to agree... thats alot of weight for a second floor apartment. I would have it inspected by a structural engineer.

[albano]

Originally Posted by JoeRonda

What do the floor joists look like under the tank area? Are they 2x6's, or 2x4's?

First of all, I think you meant 2X4 " not ' ...
If your building has 2x4" floor joists...RUN, do not go back into that building!
you should be looking at 2x8s, 2x10s or 2x12s.

But seriously, I would suggest that you have a structural engineer look at the building and/or building plans. When I installed a 300g in my living room they suggested sistering (doubling) the floor joists...2 years ago I had them return to see if I could replace the 300 with a 450g and they suggested a STEEL beam and supports! With that weight, take NOTHING for granted.

[saltysailor2329]

Well I would say the first thing you should do is ask the Management Office what their limit is because I know some that won't allow anything close to what you already have. Second, you are talking about adding approximately 4,000 lbs over 15ish sqft, which is pushing the safe load recommendations if I remember right. I feel you on getting the great deal though and wanting to set it up, but think it may be too much for your current location. Just my $.02 though.

[acpoweradapter]

Originally Posted by albano

First of all, I think you meant 2X4 " not ' ...
If your building has 2x4" floor joists...RUN, do not go back into that building!
you should be looking at 2x8s, 2x10s or 2x12s.

But seriously, I would suggest that you have a structural engineer look at the building and/or building plans. When I installed a 300g in my living room they suggested sistering (doubling) the floor joists...2 years ago I had them return to see if I could replace the 300 with a 450g and they suggested a STEEL beam and supports! With that weight, take NOTHING for granted.

I'm pretty sure he was just pluralizing 2x4s and 2x6s... Not saying feet or inches.

[thegrun]

Sounds to me like you may need a new apartment!!!

[JoeRonda]

Originally Posted by albano

First of all, I think you meant 2X4 " not ' ...
If your building has 2x4" floor joists...RUN, do not go back into that building!
you should be looking at 2x8s, 2x10s or 2x12s.

But seriously, I would suggest that you have a structural engineer look at the building and/or building plans. When I installed a 300g in my living room they suggested sistering (doubling) the floor joists...2 years ago I had them return to see if I could replace the 300 with a 450g and they suggested a STEEL beam and supports! With that weight, take NOTHING for granted.

My mistake, I meant 2x6's or 2x8's. I've never seen any other joist size. My house is like 80yrs old and has all 2x8's some are doubled up. Where my 125 long is has a 6x3 steel beam supporting 7 joists (half way across the span of the house) and one end is embedded in the foundation, the other is held up by a house jack. Maybe the people that put it there had a big tank above it too. My 120 reef tank is on the other side of the room against the load bearing wall.

[Birdhawk23]

How would I go by checking what joints are under the carpet?
Do I need to pull up some carpet in a closet maybe, or is there another way?

[wes1333]

If its a 5yr old apartment should be atleasst 2x10's or steel construction depending on where your at and how tall the building is. But still get an engineer out there before pulling the trigger on the 265

[Mr.Tan]

im gonna take a shot in the dark and say that I most likely would not suggest doing that... all that water gives a total weight of around 2500lbs! all of that in a designated area and not spread out doesnt seem like it would be very safe for a 2nd floor apartment.... However if you are really set of it, talk to a structural engineer and see what he has to say, along with talking it over with management to see what they say.

[Birdhawk23]

And is there anyway I can reinforce the floors no matter what I run? Maybe putting something atop the existing floor

[wes1333]

Not from the top you would have to brace from the bottom. Laying some big beam on top would just add to the weight.

[Birdhawk23]

Managements really cool with me... My 150 leaked a couple months back and they told the downstairs neighbors that my washer dryer leaked. He likes them so much he commonly comes up and checks out the tank.

[albano]

Originally Posted by Birdhawk23

How would I go by checking what joints are under the carpet?
Do I need to pull up some carpet in a closet maybe, or is there another way?

You can't check the joists, by looking under the carpet! You'd have to cut up the flooring, or open the ceiling, in the apartment below!

Originally Posted by Mr.Tan

... all that water gives a total weight of around 2500lbs!...

the water alone is that weight...now add tank, stand, LR, sand, lights/ballasts, etc, and the 3-700+ lbs everyone forgets about...you and 2 or 3 friends standing there admiring the tank! IMO easy 2 tons...4000 lbs.!

[wes1333]

Originally Posted by albano

the water alone is that weight...now add tank, stand, LR, sand, lights/ballasts, etc, and the 3-700+ lbs everyone forgets about...you and 2 or 3 friends standing there admiring the tank! IMO easy 2 tons...4000 lbs.!

Very true.

[Birdhawk23]

Very good points guys...

[DonaldLL]

Short answer: NO

[evo@32psi]

I have also been thinking about upgrading. Guess i need to look into apts. on the 1st floor.

[InsaneClownFish]

Not a good idea. Also add the weight of people looking at the tank, and the total overall load of your floor- ie people in the same room.

I'm really very surprised that no one has suggested you pass on a large system regardless of your apartment. The key here is apartment. Since this is not something you own, and more than likely not a permanent residence- life happens situations change...etc etc You might end up feeling stuck and "married" to a large system. While attractive at first, they can be daunting.

Coming from the perspective of a home owner who previously owned a condo, I can say I would never have "tried" a system of that size. It might not be what you want to hear, but with apartment living, I would suggest a nano- more rewarding and a better fit imho.

Now let the flame begin.

[hglumac]

I wouldnt want to set up a tank that size in a place that you werent sure you were going to stay in for the next 10+ years...lots of work moving an established reef tank of any size.

[demonnite57]

Last year when I lived in an apartment on the 2nd floor, I had a 75g (w/ 30g Sump) and a 44g Tank. Every step I took shook the tanks. I didn't trust anything bigger than what I already had. One piece advice I was given was place the tanks on the perimeter walls as they will have more support there than any of the "divider" walls. I don't think your downstairs neighbors would like to have a SW tank in their place with a nice "skylight."

[SarahE]

I only have a 29 gallon, and my landlord still insisted I take a 1st floor apt.
I got the 29 gallon in the first place because my last landlord required renter's insurance for 30 gallons or bigger.

[blt]

Originally Posted by wes1333

Not from the top you would have to brace from the bottom. Laying some big beam on top would just add to the weight.

Not 100% true. A structure could be built that would distribute the load over a larger footprint, though such a structure would be far less effective than reinforcing the floor from below would.

[ganjero]

If you are renting most likely you won't be able to take the proper course of action to reinforce the floor. I would say be responsible and don't get the tank and actually check where you currently have your 150g. It’s not so much the material damages that you can cause but you have to remember there are people living below you, you can ruin their life and your life if that falls on a person.