Technical Thread: Aquarium Weights... again

[aznt1217]

Hello Everybody,

I live in a 2nd Floor Apartment in a building that was built in the mid 1950's. I want to upgrade my current tank.

My whole place is about 654 Square Feet. The tank I want to get is a 120 Gallon Long Tank, no sump, just a Canister Filter, Denitrator, and Skimmer along with light fixture.

Measurements:
It measures 60"x18"x26"
-So it's roughly about 5+ Square feet... correct me if I am wrong.

Weight:
-So the Gallons per Square foot are about 24 Gallons/sq ft. (roughly 240 lbs./sq. ft)
-Building Code PSF I read somewhere was at least 40 psf with a 1.5 safety measure.... how on earth does this work out?
-I estimate I have about 110 lbs. of Live Rock and 70 lbs. of Live Sand
-I am assuming the equipment has to be a good 100 lbs. Together.

Placement:
This is going in my Bedroom. The wall it is going against is a corner. On the other side of the wall is... another apartment and the other end of the wall is just the outside. So I think it's safe to say this a "load" bearing wall right?

My parents live right below me and I don't want the tank to come crashing in. What do you guys think... is it doable?

 

[georgelc86]

In an effort to figure this out this is what I came up with, granted this is just pure water calculations this doesnt include the weight of the tank, stand, lights rock and sand. But keep in mind its not totally 1002 lbs of water due to displacement from sand and rock. Also salt water weights about two pounds more then freshwater I believe so really 1242 lbs of total water volume with no rock or sand.

Measurements:
It measures 60"x18"x26"
- I got 16.5 sq-ft

Weight:
- Gallons per Square foot are about 7.2 Gallons/sq ft. (roughly 60 lbs./sq. ft (freshwater) 74.5 lbs sq-ft (saltwater) )

- With equipment I am assuming guessing 86 lbs sq-ft to 100 lbs sq-ft

 

[aznt1217]

Pure water should be fairly accurate because the LR decreases water volume and so does the sand right?

Man I hate this haha I just want to upgrade... for Tang City =P

 

[cali_reef]

Pure water should be fairly accurate because the LR decreases water volume and so does the sand right?

Man I hate this haha I just want to upgrade... for Tang City =P

NO! the displaced water is replaced by something much heavier.. :duh:

 

[georgelc86]

just edited for new measurements I think they make more sense hopefully.

 

[MatthewScars]

It really depends on what the floor is. since its a long tank, you have a little more wiggle room. If the tank is right over a joist it will be fine. I just recommend you put it against an outside wall if you are really worried.

but i think you're fine with a 125.

My floors are concrete on the 5th floor of a new building. so 100g total volume is nothing.

 

[cali_reef]

It really depends on what the floor is. since its a long tank, you have a little more wiggle room. If the tank is right over a joist it will be fine. I just recommend you put it against an outside wall if you are really worried.

I am pretty sure a single joist will not hold 1200+ pound long term..

 

[MatthewScars]

I am pretty sure a single joist will not hold 1200+ pound long term..

it will bow the joist over time, but not break it in half instantly one day. hah

plus if you are only planning on living there 1 - 2years - dont worry about it.

 

[aznt1217]

I bought my place and do not want anything bowing lol. Might be living here for a while ...

I don't have a landlord or anything so it's hard to really figure out the weight limits.

 

[cali_reef]

it will bow the joist over time, but not break it in half instantly one day. hah

plus if you are only planning on living there 1 - 2years - dont worry about it.

Really? have you had personal experience?

 

[cali_reef]

60"x18" foot print = 1080 sq inch, or 7.5 SQFT.

120 gallons of salt water = 1026 LBS @ 8.55lbs per gallon
Tank and Stand = 200 lbs
Sand and Rocks = +50lbs in addition to the water displaced but your tank does not really hold 120 gallons so this would be a wash..

Estimating 1,200 pounds over 7.5 SQFT, or 160 pounds per SQFT.

I would guess to say you should be okay in a well built house and the tank is placed perpendicular to the floor joists, over 3 joists. I am not a architecture or structural engineer, my opinion is based on 20+ years of experience in large aquarium fish keeping.

 

[18oreefer]

If the tank is 60 long and 18 wide than that works out to a foot print of 7.5 sf. 60"/12"=5' 18"/12"=1.5' 5'x1.5'=7.5sf 120 gal x 8.556 (weight of sea water)= 1027lbs 1027+100 lbs equp.+ 200 tank stand+200lbs rock sand- 100lbs displaced water=1427lbs 1427lbs/7.5sf=190lbs per sf Do you know what direction your floor joist are running? It would be a lot more doable if it spans a few joist and if the joist were 16" on center. A way you can find out is take a stud finder to your parents ceiling to find out which way they run and how far apart they are. It would also help to know what demoinsion they are x8" or x10". If its x8" 24 centers dont do it. 8" 16 centers could do it. 10" 16 centers should be solid. If its all on one joist i would def not do it. I had a 75 on an outside wall spanning3 2x8's 24 on center and the rest of my floor was like a trampoline. I now have a 180 in that spot but i made the joist 12 on center and put 3 colomns and a beam to pick up the load 3 ft off of the wall. Best thing to do is find out what you have for a floor. Good luck I hope it works out for ya.

 

[18oreefer]

wow i totaly missed calireef's post. i have no idea how

 

[aznt1217]

lol. Sa'll good it's nice to have reef auditing haha. Anyway, I have an attic... and I can see the wood frames?

Can I see how those run... or would the floor joists run in different directions?

 

[littlebuck70]

Grab a stud finder at a home improvement store.

You will be able to see what way they run.

Better safe then sorry.

 

[georgelc86]

60"x18" foot print = 1080 sq inch, or 7.5 SQFT.

120 gallons of salt water = 1026 LBS @ 8.55lbs per gallon
Tank and Stand = 200 lbs
Sand and Rocks = +50lbs in addition to the water displaced but your tank does not really hold 120 gallons so this would be a wash..

Estimating 1,200 pounds over 7.5 SQFT, or 160 pounds per SQFT.

I would guess to say you should be okay in a well built house and the tank is placed perpendicular to the floor joists, over 3 joists. I am not a architecture or structural engineer, my opinion is based on 20+ years of experience in large aquarium fish keeping.

Off by 60, kinda proud of myself. I like Bucks idea but it depends on the studfinder some are only good for locating through sheetrock so you might have a more difficult time scanning through hardwood floors.

 

[Will C]

The studfinder is a good way to go. You said you are on the 2nd floor, can you get into your do 1st floor neighbor's apt and use the studfinder on their ceiling? They may get nervous when you tell them you are checking the construction because you are setting up what they will think is an ocean!