I'm not sure if I've maybe asked this already but if I have I can't find the thread.

I want to have a tank suitable for goldfish (so that'd be 40 gallons at least) but I live in a first floor flat. The space I have is by a supporting wall going across the lines of the floorboards, would I be able to put a tank there or is there too much of a risk of it ending up in my downstairs neighbours house?

I'm really not sure.

Hi Crunchie

Here is the link you need for the thread on tanks in apartments.

Click Here

Thanks for the link Jaguar!

My flat is an old build though it is well made, it's a 4 in a block effort. I'm currently watching a 48" tank on ebay that's 38 gallons and wondering if I can afford to go a bit bigger or if I'd be best sticking with something that size.

If I were you Crunchie I would get the floor checked out as a precaution as the tank will weigh a fair amount as follows...


Tank 52kg
Water 141 litres 31 Gallons 141kg
substrate 2" depth 20-30 kg
plus other items such as stand weight 20

Total 243kg 0r 535 lb and 11.57 oz or 38 st and 3.72 lb

Hmmm who would I have to check this with? The council own the other three flats in my block but I have a mortgage on mine.

You could try a good local builder who would probably be best, or you could try asking the council if they know what is under your floors and if it would hold the weight of the tank.

Thanks again Jaguar I'll try emailing the councils housing dept tomorrow. We reckon these flats were built in the 1930s-1940s.

Best of luck Crunchie, I hope the floors are able to take the weight, there is nothing nicer than a well setup big tank.

Right well I spoke to someone at the council today and he reckoned my best bet would be to ask the tank manufacturers (though how they'll know without the build type of my flat I'll never know).

The guy I spoke to today says I could consider putting a board under the carpet and attach it to the joist (?) so that it could better support the weight. He said it wasn't an absolutely gigantic tank but it was enough to be needing advivce on.

Have you investigated under the carpet to know it is definitely floorboards?