Tank weight question

[mnat]

We live on the second floor in an apartment that is over a business. This essentially means that we cannot reinforce the floor at all so this has pretty much kept us in the nano range (nothing bigger than a 30). Of course this means we want a bigger tank and we just saw the deal that AO is having on the 54 gallon tank. Now my question is, would our floor be ok with this tank and all the additions (water, live rock, etc) or should we just be patient? We currently have the 20g in the corner of the living room and that is where we would put the 54. Any suggestions on position or anything else would be great too. Thank you.

 

[Brian]

The way I was told to look at it, think of it like furniture...540 pounds isn't all that heavy. Now it's not exactly the same, but you could have 4 big guys on a couch watching football for 8 hours...could easily be 800 pounds or more and you wouldn't think twice about it.

FWIW we used to have a 44g Pentagon tank in our 3rd floor condo.

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

It all depends on the floor structure and the span. How old is the building and what type? Is it an old house converted into apts & a business? A 54 gallon tank isn't that big. Rock & sand displace water so the weight isn't really compounded.

 

[mnat]

It is a newer building built to be a business and apartment so it was not converted. I think we should be ok, but just wanted to ask.

 

[mr_X]

i had a 125 gallon tank with a 75 gallon sump in a 2nd floor apartment for a couple years. no big deal.

 

[vangvace]

We had a 55g reef while living in a 3rd story apartment.

 

[JRWOHLER]

From what I read the general rule of thumb is a 55 gallon or less should be completely fine. Beyond that you should research how the floors are and whatnot....I say go for it.

 

[njstillwell]

We have a 120 on the xecond floor with about 120 lbs of live rock been there for about a year... just dont jump in front of the tank and you will be fine,not worried about it falling through should be more worried about water leaking onto the floor then to the people below....

 

[NanoreefChris]

you'll be fine I had a 75 gallon on a second floor, granted it was freshwater but still heavier than a 54 gallon for sure. Being the the apt is newer you could probably even go as high as 75-80 without thinking twice.

 

[Nickjr000]

I think your fine. Think of how heavy your fridge is with all the food in it. Probably weighs more

 

[mnat]

We are going through with ordering the tank, thank you all for the responses and look for the tale of the tank thread soon.

 

[Brian]

Sweet!

 

[gogol]

Mnat,

I am looking into getting a 90G in my second floor apartment. I asked the apartment repair guys if the floor can hold 1000lbs and they said it would. I currently have a 40G in my apartment with a 29G sump. I think you are more than OK.

 

[Lord Viper]

Brian I never thought of that the way you put your answer. It made me smile it was so clever....no i'm serious Bobb PS if it were my extended family we could be closer to a ton....and a half.