Figuring out the floor strength for a large aquarium?

jilly · 03-29-2008, 12:40 PM

My biggest tank right now is a 20 gallon, set on an old, sturdy bureau. I'm looking to move to a 75 gallon or larger tank.. I was reading some of the weights on larger tanks, filled, and they can be about 600 pounds or so! (yikes!)
How can I tell if a floor is gonig to hold it with no problems? I live an an older house that I am renting, built back in the 30's.. I could put it in the basement, but I really would prefer it in the living room so I can see it more! Any hints/ideas/horror stories?

emc7 · 03-29-2008, 02:57 PM

termite inspection.

Chrispy · 03-29-2008, 02:58 PM

it will hold........ there is another thread on this. so unless you have termites. it will hold......

emc7 · 03-29-2008, 03:08 PM

Solid base cabinet to spread out the weight. If the stand has little feet, put a board under it.

**TheOldSalt** · 03-30-2008, 08:11 AM

Weight distribution is the key. Put something under the tank that will spread it's weight out evenly, like a sheet of plywood. That isn't an absolute fix, and certainly won't help much if the floor creaks in that spot when you step on it, but it's a big help.

COM · 03-30-2008, 09:39 AM

Look in your basement. Try to keep the tank close to a support column or a heavy iron or thick wood beam. You most likely won't have a problem in an older home because builders used better quality wood back then and lots of brick or concrete floor support columns. Definitely check for termites too.

03-29-2008, 12:40 PM	#1
jilly Fishy Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Age: 44 Posts: 13	Figuring out the floor strength for a large aquarium? My biggest tank right now is a 20 gallon, set on an old, sturdy bureau. I'm looking to move to a 75 gallon or larger tank.. I was reading some of the weights on larger tanks, filled, and they can be about 600 pounds or so! (yikes!) How can I tell if a floor is gonig to hold it with no problems? I live an an older house that I am renting, built back in the 30's.. I could put it in the basement, but I really would prefer it in the living room so I can see it more! Any hints/ideas/horror stories?

03-29-2008, 02:58 PM	#3
Chrispy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Age: 20 Posts: 120	it will hold........ there is another thread on this. so unless you have termites. it will hold...... __________________ 10 Gallon 2 Fire Belly Newts 1 female Betta 4 male Endlers 1 female Endler 1 Baby Gold Nugget Placo Various Cheery Shrimp 5.5 Gallon 1 Female Tequila Sunrise Guppy 4 Cherry Shrimp 2 African Dwarf Frogs

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03-29-2008, 02:57 PM	#2
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 39 Posts: 2,902	termite inspection.

03-29-2008, 03:08 PM	#4
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 39 Posts: 2,902	Solid base cabinet to spread out the weight. If the stand has little feet, put a board under it.

03-30-2008, 08:11 AM	#5
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,253	Weight distribution is the key. Put something under the tank that will spread it's weight out evenly, like a sheet of plywood. That isn't an absolute fix, and certainly won't help much if the floor creaks in that spot when you step on it, but it's a big help.

03-30-2008, 09:39 AM	#6
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 525	Look in your basement. Try to keep the tank close to a support column or a heavy iron or thick wood beam. You most likely won't have a problem in an older home because builders used better quality wood back then and lots of brick or concrete floor support columns. Definitely check for termites too.

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