Is upstairs dangerous?

Bigchowder · 02-28-2008, 05:21 PM

I am just getting ready to start cycling my 55g tank. I will be picking up the LR and sand this weekend.

I have a large master bedroom upstairs where I planned on setting this up. There is too much traffic downstairs in addition to a roommate who "knows everything about reef setups" (but really doesn't, if you catch my drift) that I don't want messing with the tank when I am not there, making his own "improvements".

My question is this: Is the weight of a 55g tank with all the water, LR, sand, equipment, etc too much for a second floor in a home? I wouldn't think so. After all, if I can have a desk that weight a couple hundred pounds and electronics equipment up there in a different part of the room, I should be able to put a tank up there too, right?

Any thoughts, my reefing genius friends?

tbittner · 02-28-2008, 05:26 PM

I don't think anyone can definitively say "Sure! That won't be a problem."

We don't know what the flooring structure is made of. Is it 2x6's? 2x8'sx? 2x10's? You know what I mean?

A 55g will weigh around 550 lbs so you're most likely right, it wouldn't be a problem. But I don't think you'll get anyone here to say "Sure! Not a problem!"

BigAl07 · 02-28-2008, 05:37 PM

Yeah there are a LOT of vairables in making that kind of decision.

Type of floor joists

Over a load bearing wall or not?

What else might be "loading" that part of the floor? (is there a heavy bed or something already adding weight to the floor).

So there are a LOT of "Things" that can make it yes or no.

Good luck

naperenterprise · 02-28-2008, 06:03 PM

"Sure! Not a problem!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl07

Yeah there are a LOT of vairables in making that kind of decision.

Type of floor joists

Over a load bearing wall or not?

What else might be "loading" that part of the floor? (is there a heavy bed or something already adding weight to the floor).

So there are a LOT of "Things" that can make it yes or no.

Good luck

I'm such an ass..... lol

PEMfish · 02-28-2008, 06:33 PM

How old is the house? How big of a room?

JP 1230 · 02-28-2008, 06:58 PM

I agree that there are too many variables....depends on construction quality, placement, etc...but....I've seen large waterbeds in plenty of upstairs rooms. Using well over 100 gallons...these things weigh quite a bit more than a 55g tank. Assuming is never the best plan, but I would say that typical construction would support your 55G no prob.

I have a buddy on the second floor in an appt. complex with a 125g setup. His floor is holding up fine.

tbittner · 02-28-2008, 07:07 PM

Apartment complexes typically have concrete floors separating the floors to meet fire codes, and to cut down on the noise, and they probably figure that someone will put in a 125g aquarium someday.

zy112 · 02-28-2008, 07:11 PM

I had a 55 set up for 4 years on the second floor of our house.

BigAl07 · 02-29-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP 1230

I agree that there are too many variables....depends on construction quality, placement, etc...but....I've seen large waterbeds in plenty of upstairs rooms. Using well over 100 gallons...these things weigh quite a bit more than a 55g tank. Assuming is never the best plan, but I would say that typical construction would support your 55G no prob.

Keep in mind that the "Water Bed" is much less "Concentrated". The weight is spread out over may square feet and loading up many joists. With a tank it's possibly the majority of the load could fall on just two joists. The subfloor will distribute the weight some but not a lot especially if the floor is minimally constructed. Honestly I'd say a 55 "should" be safe but I'd do some looking into it before putting it up. Also if it's an older house that could be a very good thing or a very bad thing. For many years houses were built with large very thick lumber which is a good thing. Then there was a housing shortage and homes were built with lousy lumber and on top of that lousy building practices. Just to be safe ask someone to look into the physical construction for you. Should only take a few minutes in most cases.

Good luck and Happy Reefing

CMG · 02-29-2008, 03:15 PM

I live in an upstairs apartment (dont know if the floor is concrete, I dont think so from the noises it makes when something heavy falls onto the ground) and I have my 40g aquarium in there. I was told that the strongest points are along outside walls. So I put mine next to the slider that goes out to the patio. The inside walls may not have as much support under them and the middle of the room may be the worst spot. Hope that may help you. My 55g is in the garage.

NATIVEVAMAN · 03-01-2008, 07:34 AM

Most modern construction is built to a standard of 300 pounds per square foot,at least around here it is.This is such an easy standard to meet that more by accident than intent floors are sturdier than that.If you set the tank up so it runs across the joists you will be fine.

PEMfish · 03-01-2008, 11:54 AM

I think you mean 300lbs per sq yard.

NATIVEVAMAN · 03-01-2008, 04:52 PM

If it was 300 pounds per square yard 3 people standing together would go thru the floor lol Its square foot.

ReefGuy69 · 03-01-2008, 05:06 PM

I would say to be safe use an outside wall. they are the load bearing walls and will support more weight.

Marinoman08 · 03-03-2008, 07:07 PM

well i have a 55 gallon tank up in my room filled with crush coral and my dresser not ment for tank haha alittle risky holds out fine and i dont have problems at all with it in my room its been up in my room for 2 years so if your house is fairly new like under mabey 20 years old should be fine cuz i know mine is got to be 15 years old so... yea

02-28-2008, 05:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bigchowder Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 15 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Is upstairs dangerous? I am just getting ready to start cycling my 55g tank. I will be picking up the LR and sand this weekend. I have a large master bedroom upstairs where I planned on setting this up. There is too much traffic downstairs in addition to a roommate who "knows everything about reef setups" (but really doesn't, if you catch my drift) that I don't want messing with the tank when I am not there, making his own "improvements". My question is this: Is the weight of a 55g tank with all the water, LR, sand, equipment, etc too much for a second floor in a home? I wouldn't think so. After all, if I can have a desk that weight a couple hundred pounds and electronics equipment up there in a different part of the room, I should be able to put a tank up there too, right? Any thoughts, my reefing genius friends? __________________ Starting from the bottom means that I will always be going up!

02-28-2008, 05:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is upstairs dangerous? I don't think anyone can definitively say "Sure! That won't be a problem." We don't know what the flooring structure is made of. Is it 2x6's? 2x8'sx? 2x10's? You know what I mean? A 55g will weigh around 550 lbs so you're most likely right, it wouldn't be a problem. But I don't think you'll get anyone here to say "Sure! Not a problem!" __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

02-28-2008, 06:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
PEMfish Golden Moray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 2,626 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is upstairs dangerous? How old is the house? How big of a room? __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef chronicle; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...chronicle.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

02-28-2008, 06:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
JP 1230 Bryozoan Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 59 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is upstairs dangerous? I agree that there are too many variables....depends on construction quality, placement, etc...but....I've seen large waterbeds in plenty of upstairs rooms. Using well over 100 gallons...these things weigh quite a bit more than a 55g tank. Assuming is never the best plan, but I would say that typical construction would support your 55G no prob. I have a buddy on the second floor in an appt. complex with a 125g setup. His floor is holding up fine.

02-28-2008, 07:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is upstairs dangerous? Apartment complexes typically have concrete floors separating the floors to meet fire codes, and to cut down on the noise, and they probably figure that someone will put in a 125g aquarium someday. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

02-28-2008, 07:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
zy112 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: IN Posts: 984 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is upstairs dangerous? I had a 55 set up for 4 years on the second floor of our house. __________________ Zach

02-29-2008, 03:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
CMG Neon dottyback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sonoma County, CA Posts: 602 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is upstairs dangerous? I live in an upstairs apartment (dont know if the floor is concrete, I dont think so from the noises it makes when something heavy falls onto the ground) and I have my 40g aquarium in there. I was told that the strongest points are along outside walls. So I put mine next to the slider that goes out to the patio. The inside walls may not have as much support under them and the middle of the room may be the worst spot. Hope that may help you. My 55g is in the garage. __________________ My Chronical: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wlr-setup.html 40g, Banggai Cardinal, B&W Clown, Flame Angel, Scooter Dragon and a golden banded shrimp.

03-01-2008, 07:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
NATIVEVAMAN Serpent Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond va Posts: 209 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is upstairs dangerous? Most modern construction is built to a standard of 300 pounds per square foot,at least around here it is.This is such an easy standard to meet that more by accident than intent floors are sturdier than that.If you set the tank up so it runs across the joists you will be fine.

03-01-2008, 11:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
PEMfish Golden Moray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 2,626 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is upstairs dangerous? I think you mean 300lbs per sq yard. __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef chronicle; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...chronicle.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

03-01-2008, 04:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
NATIVEVAMAN Serpent Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond va Posts: 209 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is upstairs dangerous? If it was 300 pounds per square yard 3 people standing together would go thru the floor lol Its square foot.

03-01-2008, 05:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
ReefGuy69 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 934 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is upstairs dangerous? I would say to be safe use an outside wall. they are the load bearing walls and will support more weight. __________________ Dennis ________ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...journal-3.html 55gal AGA w/ built in overflow 15 gal acrylic DIY sump/fuge 75lbs Fiji Live Rock 45lbs of Live Sand 1-1/2inch (1) 96 watt Super Blue Actinic Power Compact (2) 96 Watt 10,000k Power Compacts (2) Ebo Jager 200 watt heaters Seaclone 150 Skimmer (2) Hagen 50's Power Heads for flow (2) Hagen 70's Power Heads for flow (1) Hagen 70 Return Pump DIY ATO system (5 Gal) Algae Scrubber w/(4) 9watt 67k Bulbs TLF 150 Phosban Reactor 12X turnover rate 1 Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 Firefish, 1 Blue Hippo Tang, 1 Black and White Goby, Neon Green Hairy Mushrooms, Red Zoanthus Polyps, Sand Sifting Starfish, Emerald Crab, Various Snails and Hermits

03-03-2008, 07:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
Marinoman08 Tubeworm Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 33 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is upstairs dangerous? well i have a 55 gallon tank up in my room filled with crush coral and my dresser not ment for tank haha alittle risky holds out fine and i dont have problems at all with it in my room its been up in my room for 2 years so if your house is fairly new like under mabey 20 years old should be fine cuz i know mine is got to be 15 years old so... yea

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)