At what point do I start to worry?
 

I am looking at setting up my first salt water aquarium and plan on starting with a big aquarium but adding things gradually. But how big is too big for the main floor of my half duplex (weight wise). I'm just not sure about what size of aquarium you start looking at the structural aspects. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Brendan

Hey Brendan,

Wrong group to ask if a tank is too big. :wink:
Most here would flood there basement and turn it into a snorkaling pool if they could.
Some real Q's though, Were are you going to put it? Inside wall? outside wall?
Do you have an area in mind for the tank, meaure that and see what size tanks will fit.
What kind of tank? Reef? FOWLR?
The more info the better we can help.

Dan

off topic, but just HAD to say it cuz of the title of the thread. A doctor told me this once...

"if you can't remember where your car keys are, you don't have to worry. if you can't remember what your car keys are FOR, that's when you worry!" :)

A 72 Gal. is a good size to start with.
Not to big not to small.
With saltwater bigger is better.

I was thinking I'd start with FOWLR and slowly upgrade to a reef. I was leaning towards a 90Gal with a 30Gal sump but then it dawned on me that the neighbours probably didn't want their floor to start cratering towards my side of the duplex. I would like to put it on the inside wall (shared wall), and as for space, I coulg fit a tank up to 6' long in that area but I think that would definetly be overdoing my weight limit. Thanks again.

Brendan

You should worry when your monthly tank costs start to exceed your mortgage or rent payment. :lol:

Good thing to do if you are not sure about your floor and wall structural integrity is to put a large plywood plate under your tank.Make it a foot wider and foot longer then your tank, this will spread the load.
Protect it with oil based or even better marine paint make a few coats because you will spill water on it as soon as you start working with live rock.
Another option is to cover plywood with laminate, if you go this way make sure you test laminate by submerging small peice in salt water you will see right away wich one is good for your purpose .
Also if you go with laminate make sure that you put a lot of glue in the lock even though they tell you that new laminate does not need glue, beleve me you will be glad that you did seal it.

Isn't that the truth !!

When you say main floor, do you mean ground level floor or upper level floor. I had a 90 gallon with sump on my 2nd floor duplex for a couple years with no ill effect, I had it against the dividing wall (load bearing I believe) and it never sagged, bumped or hickuped.

Doug

Yes I plan on putting it on the ground floor against the load bearing wall... but now I am waivering about the large tank to start off with and wondering if anyone would suggest a smaller 20G reef to take my first steps with? I've been all over the forums and reading about newbies (like me) and their costly and painfully disasterous first attempts.