Size of Aquariums in Condos?

Beccadawn · #1 11-11-2010, 10:46 PM

Hi Everyone! I'm trying to buy my fist place & the most important thing to me is my pets. Now the building that I'm currently looking at Statra Bylaws states that I'm allowed a reasonable number of fish...it doesn't state a size restriction at all. What is a reasonable number of fish? And does that mean I can bring my 300 gallon system

What size systems do you guys have/had in a condo? Is there any other issue you can see? Oh I've only been looking at concrete because I assumed it would be stronger & could buffer the noise. Now I just need to find a building that will let me have more then 2 fluffy pets.....

Thanks so much!!!
Becky

Keri · #2 11-11-2010, 10:50 PM

I would definitely contact the strata council - ask for a gallon amount because with something so vague as "a reasonable number of fish" they can decide What that number is After you've set up and they don't want it in the building! I mean, yeah, you could have just two fish (both sharks!) in a 400g system.... but I doubt they'd be cool with that

I was on my own strata council for years (SO glad to be done with it and be in a house now) and sadly that's the way it often works.

intarsiabox · #3 11-11-2010, 10:52 PM

There are websites that will give you the weight per square foot of standard size aquariums at their operating weight. I would show this to the condo association and ask what the floor will support. 2ft wide tanks actually spread the weight out better so maybe a 120g would be a "reasonable" size?

lorenz0 · #4 11-11-2010, 10:56 PM

All depends on how the building is built. After I purchased my place i found out that I wasn't allowed a tank over 40gal. Booo

try to find a building made out of concrete. I know a certain someone on here has a 150gal on the 6th floor. but ceriously, make sure its concrete

freezetyle · #5 11-11-2010, 11:29 PM

I have a 50 gal with no issues. but ultimately like others have stated its up to strata.

toxic111 · #6 11-12-2010, 01:00 AM

BTW concrete floors are designed to the same load (live/dead) that wood floors are, so that won't make much difference.

SAMSHUNG · #7 11-12-2010, 01:08 AM

5th floor of concrete building, 55gal + 5gal sump. No problems. I think even a 75-100gal tank would work if I had the room.

lorenz0 · #8 11-12-2010, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxic111

BTW concrete floors are designed to the same load (live/dead) that wood floors are, so that won't make much difference.

depends. I have no idea which way the I beams are running in my building. And personally I wouldn't risk my neighbour underneith me getting an unwanted shower

SAMSHUNG · #9 11-12-2010, 01:50 AM

I've never heard concrete creak.

toxic111 · #10 11-12-2010, 01:52 AM

I am just saying it don't make much difference.. Floors are designed (residential) to carry around 40lbs/ft2 live load (plus fudge factor).

Spanning accross more joists does help some, but even a concrete floor is done the same way, the reinforcing in the floor spans like joists.

Generally concrete floors are used for larger spans than wood joists can do.

Not all floor systems are 'I' joists either, they may be open web, or even just 2x10's.

What I am getting at, is there is no right answer, each floor maybe different on how they will handle the load. The further the clear span, the more problems you may have, and the smaller tank.

The only way to truely answer on how big of tank you can have on a floor is to have a structural engineer review the floor system from building drawings. Or just play it safe and figure how much your tank & system wieghs, and figure out the load per ft2.

This is what I do for a living, so I have a good idea what I am talking about.