Weight Of Tanks

How much do I need to worry about the weight of my fish tank?

OK, so it's only a wee tank at 27L, so I'm guessing in total it weighs about 35kg?  That's still pretty heavy though isn't it?

I'm sure I'm fine for now, as it's on a solid oak sideboard.  But if at some point I wanted a bigger tank, would I need to worry about what I put it on, and what the floor is or anything like that?

I'm sure I'm fine for now, as it's on a solid oak sideboard.  But if at some point I wanted a bigger tank, would I need to worry about what I put it on, and what the floor is or anything like that?

Water's 1kg per litre, then add substrate and glass, and a 180litre tank can be ~250kg, or ¼tonne, so you're right to be concerned about where it goes. A level concrete floor is best, but if you have a wooden floor then you would want the tank to go across the main beams where they are supported by either an outside wall or a sub-wall. Best to lift a floorboard to check for really heavy tanks.

Having it flat and level is really important, especially as carpets can settle and compress as you fill with water. So don't push the stand so the back of the stand is on the carpet gripper strip, as the front will settle more than the back. Ideally you'd want the floor to be really flat so the stand is evenly supported.

It is, however, mainly common sense.

With just a quick trawl, so forgive the piccies....

Good: The thick top sits on the legs, so the weight of the tank is transfered straight down the thick legs to the floor.



Bad: The top 'hangs' from the sides of the legs so the weight of the tank is carried by the screws that hold the top to the legs. So, even though the legs look sturdy, it's not as strong a design.