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Can I safely keep a 100 Gallon Aquarium in a second floor apartment, without worry about the weight, once it's completely filled with water.
I am considering purchasing a 100 Gallon all glass saltwater reef aquarium from www.ocreef.com because it's on sale and I've always wanted one. However I live on the second floor of my apartment building. I know once an aquarium is filled fully with water, rocks, and gravel it can equal several tons in weight. I am worried about my apartments structural ability to safely hold this size aquarium in my living room, without possibly causing damage. I live in Orange County California, so my apartment building is made of an all wooden structure and stucco on the outside for earthquake proofing; I believe it was built in 1983. I will include an image of an aquarium which will be similar to the one I will be getting. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd like to know.
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November 15, 2009 07:23 AM
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Copy pasted from your other duplicate question, one will likely be deleted by admin. I figure I mise well answer both.
Well think of it this way... 100 gallons of water weighs roughly 834 lbs, figuring in the weight of the tank and fish/rocks/etc. your probably looking at roughly 900 lbs of weight.
So then the question is will your apartment floor hold 900lbs on a single location?
Extremely helpful link: http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html
Quote--------------
Aquariums up to 55 gallons can be placed almost anywhere without much worry at all. Many tanks larger than 55 gallons and no more than 125 gallons will be okay, if they are placed in a good structural location and your floor framing is free from significant defects. For example, a 125 gallon tank, on a wooden stand, placed perpendicular to the joists up against a bearing wall, will often be okay without any additional structural support. If your tank is over 125 gallons, then it is likely that you should consider adding supports under your wood framed floor. Please realize that these are generalities that may or may not apply to your particular situation.
End Quote---------------------
So it's likely unless you have some shotty construction a 100 gallon fish tank is okay if properly placed in the apartment.
I would also ask your landlord if this was okay. Many buildings have rules against both water beds and large aquariums due to the risk of water damage should they break.
Hope this helped.
Source(s):
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/kids/water_trivia_facts.html
Helpful Answer?
Well think of it this way... 100 gallons of water weighs roughly 834 lbs, figuring in the weight of the tank and fish/rocks/etc. your probably looking at roughly 900 lbs of weight.
So then the question is will your apartment floor hold 900lbs on a single location?
Extremely helpful link: http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html
Quote--------------
Aquariums up to 55 gallons can be placed almost anywhere without much worry at all. Many tanks larger than 55 gallons and no more than 125 gallons will be okay, if they are placed in a good structural location and your floor framing is free from significant defects. For example, a 125 gallon tank, on a wooden stand, placed perpendicular to the joists up against a bearing wall, will often be okay without any additional structural support. If your tank is over 125 gallons, then it is likely that you should consider adding supports under your wood framed floor. Please realize that these are generalities that may or may not apply to your particular situation.
End Quote---------------------
So it's likely unless you have some shotty construction a 100 gallon fish tank is okay if properly placed in the apartment.
I would also ask your landlord if this was okay. Many buildings have rules against both water beds and large aquariums due to the risk of water damage should they break.
Hope this helped.
Source(s):
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/kids/water_trivia_facts.html
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November 16, 2009 12:04 AM
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check with your landlord (or property management) about the construction. Find out how old it is, and if the walls/floors are reinforced with anything. If there's support beams across the ceilings, thats a good sign. If it's a cheaply built plywood/particle board and drywall place, then no. if it's brick and mortar construction, you're okay. Keep in mind, some walls are load bearing and some aren't.
I had a 300 gallon tank that we placed over a brace on the second floor of the house - the tank was essentially over where another load bearing wall came out downstairs. We chose the location carefully. This was in an old house that was slowly being eaten by termites. The floor creaked while we were filling it up, but after that there were no problems. A 100 gallon should be okay.
The tank would be safest in a corner or up against a wall as opposed to the middle of the room.
Helpful Answer?
I had a 300 gallon tank that we placed over a brace on the second floor of the house - the tank was essentially over where another load bearing wall came out downstairs. We chose the location carefully. This was in an old house that was slowly being eaten by termites. The floor creaked while we were filling it up, but after that there were no problems. A 100 gallon should be okay.
The tank would be safest in a corner or up against a wall as opposed to the middle of the room.
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