Fish tank in condo

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by phi delt reefer

is the 40lb rating for an "unsupported" span? I weight 230lbs and could stand in a space that one foot square with no flex in my floor but i have joists every 16 or 24" (whatever minimum code is).

I would also apply a sheet of 3/4" plywood to the bottom of the stand to distribute the wieight over the entire footprint vs. contact points of the legs. You could also oversize the stand (ie. make it 6" bigger on all sides of the tank) to reduce the lbs/sqft.

The 40lbs/sqft is based on room size and the total weight a given size room has to handle at a minimum. I also believe it's based on dead weight and not live weight.

If you have a solid floor the plywood isn't needed, but if you have tile or carpet it can be a good idea however it could make it harder to level. Typically I usually go with an extruded perimeter on the base which essentially does the same thing but it'll be more stable and easier to level.

[toytech]

Get about 6 of your freinds to stand in the spot your thinking about putting your tank , get the to bounce up and down on the floor and see if you can feel it move ( or if your bottom neibour ends up with a skylight ) . Also your condo board should be able to tell you how much weight the floor can handle , as well as if you are even alowed a tank that big .

[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

[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???

[lorenz0]

decided against it for now. The last month has proven to be a bit challenging financially so I went the opposite route and down graded lol

Worked better in the end but all will work out by october and than I will reconsider this idea next spring.