180g in a top floor of an apartment building

RonsterNYC · 04-11-2008, 11:48 AM

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!

**Deanos** · 04-11-2008, 11:57 AM

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

ReefnQueens · 04-11-2008, 12:03 PM

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 · 04-11-2008, 01:54 PM

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?

NaCl-H2O · 04-11-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deanos


	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 · 04-11-2008, 02:39 PM

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 · 04-11-2008, 04:01 PM

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 · 04-11-2008, 04:24 PM

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 · 04-12-2008, 01:42 AM

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.

04-11-2008, 11:48 AM	#1
RonsterNYC Obsessive Reefer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 717 Reefer Ratings: (29) Friends: (0)	180g in a top floor of an apartment building 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! __________________ "Life's a Reef" Oceanic 120g Reef Tank - Aqua Medic Ocean Light T5/250W MH Combo - Deltec APF 600 - Deltec PF601 - TradeWinds Super 1/3 HP Chiller.

04-11-2008, 11:57 AM	#2
Deanos Moderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bronx, NY 10475 Posts: 12,060 Reefer Ratings: (97) Friends: (17)	Have the apartment inspected by someone certified in load-bearing floors. __________________ Need help or have a question? Click the avatar below:

04-11-2008, 01:54 PM	#4
RonsterNYC Obsessive Reefer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 717 Reefer Ratings: (29) Friends: (0)	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? __________________ "Life's a Reef" Oceanic 120g Reef Tank - Aqua Medic Ocean Light T5/250W MH Combo - Deltec APF 600 - Deltec PF601 - TradeWinds Super 1/3 HP Chiller.

04-11-2008, 04:24 PM	#8
Davidl919 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Inwood, Manhattan, NYC Posts: 642 Reefer Ratings: (13) Friends: (3)	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. __________________ Current Tank 12 gallon Nano My 140 is on Pause Will be back Soon.

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04-11-2008, 12:03 PM	#3
ReefnQueens Im gettin there! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: queens Posts: 262 Reefer Ratings: (14) Friends: (0)	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

04-11-2008, 02:39 PM	#6
JLAudio Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flushing Posts: 1,237 Reefer Ratings: (21) Friends: (0)	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

04-11-2008, 04:01 PM	#7
fali need tank crash insurance Join Date: May 2007 Location: queens Posts: 290 Reefer Ratings: (30) Friends: (0)	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.

04-12-2008, 01:42 AM	#9
JLAudio Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flushing Posts: 1,237 Reefer Ratings: (21) Friends: (0)	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.