Fish tank in condo

[CaptainYooh]

Some condominium corporation By-Laws have specific pet prohibition provisions limiting the number and size of pets homeowners/residents are allowed to keep in their homes. Sometimes these provisions include limitations on aquarium sizes. It's not only the physical design and structural load capacity that is a concern but also a risk of corporation's liability for potential mold and leaks that's the reason for such limitations. A letter to the Board of Directors c/o your Property Manager asking for their permission/clearance is the right thing to do in this case.

[patman]

Not sure on your weight calculations. 1 gallon of water is like 10 lbs. Your 60" tank sounds like about 130 gallons so about 1300 lbs just for the display tank water. I know there isn't that much water as rocks and substrate displace it, but they also add to the weight. Then add in the tank weight, sump, equipment, ..... My place was rated for only 75lbs/ft so I ended up re-enforcing the floor between the joists to spread out the weight. Best if you can do it near a load bearing wall.

[lorenz0]

A 120 is 24x24x48 and if you do a simple volume calculation its about 4/6 the volume of a 120gal

But I still haven't heard from my condo board. And yes after buying my apartment I found out all about the bylaws here. Only small dogs, no reptiles/exotic pets (still don't know if SW tanks fall under this) and nothing that can endanger other residents.

btw having 6 friends jumping on the same spot is different. thats only a short period of time of pressure.

[sphelps]

Sounds like the condo board will likely be against aquariums all together, if they don't even allow reptiles and nothing that will endanger other residents they'll likely throw the water damage card despite what the floor can hold. If it was me I would have kept it on the down low, since you had nothing actually stating that aquariums were not allowed you would be fine even if disaster struck. If they come back now stating not allowed you're screwed. Oh well, hope it works out.

[lorenz0]

Fish tanks are allowed but they don't have a size restriction

starting to think this won't happen by the lack of response from the condo board

[sphelps]

I doubt the condo board would even have a clue what the load limits would be. Honestly that tank isn't large enough to raise any concerns relating to building structure.

[CaptainYooh]

The Board of Directors consists of other homeowners just like you; they will not take a responsibility of attempting to verify the load capacity by themselves, naturally. They would either say no right away (because that's the simplest and safest response) or defer the question to the Property Manager, who, in turn, would most likely revert it back to you and request that you must provide a verification by a Professional Engineer that your proposed aquarium would not pose any structural risks to the building. If you have any friends that are civil engineers qualified to do structural calculations you may wanna talk to them about getting such verification in advance. Hope it helps.

[spawn]

Dude where in the hell did your T.V. go? The R.P. is now kickin Ass. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by lorenz0

So I decided to get a larger tank for my condo but I am in need of some advice

My building is 6 years old and it has a wood frame structure. I am on the 2nd floor and I am a bit worried about weight, last thing I need is to get a phone call that my neighbor below me has a newly acquired fish tank. I have no idea how the support beams run, I emailed the condo board asking for more info and how much dead weight one spot can take. Now where I want the tank I highly doubt its a load bearing wall (separates my room and the rest of the apartment).

I want a 60" long tank to fill the void where my tv used to be. So without having to big of a tank and now worrying the dimensions I have come up with is 60x16x16 and I have calculated it at about 850-900 pounds once everything is in it, including sump and ATO tank.

The cube I have now weights about 400-450 but it is on a load bearing wall. but it is only being distributed on a 30x20 surface area.

Think I will be ok? planning on putting a DP on the tank late this month but I need some peace of mind first

[Ryan]

You guys forget the floor isnt just going to give out. Your going to see the flex slowly before it gives way.

[Harpo]

So what was the outcome???