Habitat - Indoor :: 100 Gallon tank problem

[CrossKnight]

So I finally convinced my parents to get me a 100 gallon tank, but the problem is I live in an apartment T_T so I don't know if the floor can hold that much weight.
Does anyone know how much a 100 gallon tank would weigh? Roughly because I don't have measurement and if the weight is ok, then I will be able to start shopping for a 100 gallon tank.

My parents said that if the 100 gallon tank is too heavy I will have to buy a tank, maybe a 50 gallon one. (how much does a 50 gallon tank weigh?)

[SpotsMama]

Good questions. There have been a couple of threads on the subject here lately. Here's one:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8868

Here's another similar thread:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... sc&start=0

[CrossKnight]

Thanks for the links. It seems that I cannot get a 100 gallon tank so far (I live on a third floor of an apartment building). I need to review the structure of the building with my dad. I"m a Civil Engineer student (specializing in steel structures and frame works) and my dad is the person who takes care of the building (Also works as a chef down stairs).

Last year my dad and I had to resolve a issue with the guy next door who bought lots of weight equipment and we had to fix the floor because it was sagging downward.

I'm more worried because this building is over 80 years old, and half of it is gone due to the major earthquake in 1906 (SF), half the building collapsed.

I have two turtles, both between 1-2 inches right now in a 30 gallon tank, how successful have people been raising two turtles in a 50 gallon tank?

[SpotsMama]

The rule of thumb is 10 gallons per inch of turtle, so you're ok for now. The 50 would streach the time out some more.

What may happen, though, is that when your turts grow up they'll fight and then you'll have a bigger problem if you're in a relatively small tank.

What about using two smaller tanks? The one you have now and another one. That would alleviate the weight problem and allow you to separate your guys before they start fighting.

Eventually, I suppose you'll be graduating and getting your own place. Maybe it will be on the ground floor!

[Hoooneylynn]

You could always seperate them.. if you could afford 2 .. 50 gallon tanks, and put them on other sides of the room! lol... would that work? I have no idea, just a thought...

[CrossKnight]

I was also think of that too, the problem is the 50 gallon tank is $50, it is on sale and there is only one tank. The 100 gallon tank is $100, it is also on sale. I'm really considering about using two tanks. Maybe use my current 30 gallon for one turtle and a 50 Gallon for another turtle.
I was also wondering about stock tanks. Are they really heavy? (the tank it self) Stock tanks seem to be pretty cheap for such a large area, and it has unique shapes too, I'm hoping its wide so I could disperse the weight over a larger area.

[DavidY]

Stock tanks are plastic and much lighter than glass. But water is 8 lbs/gal so it also depends on how much water you're going to use. Those are awesome prices on those tanks. Where are you located? I'd like to get my hands on a 100gal for $100!

Oh I see you said it's in San Francisco. Hmm, that would cost me too much in gas money. Oh well...

[CrossKnight]

lol, they only have one 50 gallon tank but they do have lots of 100 gallon tanks for $100 dollars. The tanks are also bowed out in the front style which look really nice.

I'm going to start looking for stock tanks and also see if I can reinforce the floor so I can get the 100 gallon tank and place it where I want the tank at. I basically just want a suitable tank for my turts when they get bigger ^_^

[DavidY]

Yea, that 100gal bowfront would be really nice. Can you set it up in the basement?

[Tertule]

AWWWWWWWWWWW Yeah!

Cross I had the same exact situation!

What I did, since my apartment is like 30+ years old and I didn't feel like asking the manager about the structural info of the building, was figure out how to disburse the weight over a greater area.

Basically what I did was quadruple the foot print of the tank by putting it on a platform stand ( it looks like a personal stage). I was able to do this by adding the weight of the tank plus the weight of the stand and spreading out the supports over the area. Essentially the same lb/ft^2 but less concentration of the weight in one area.

You can see a pic of my set up under my post in the photo gallery

[CrossKnight]

I don't have a basement cause I live in a apartment.

Tertule, your set up looks sooo good, very nice and clean, I think I might try that out too. Thanks for the telling me about it.

[CrossKnight]

omg, my dad and I have finished talking about it and going over the buildings structure and I am able to fit a 50 gallon in without problems.

I was going to do like Tertule suggested but my parents want the tank in my room, and my room isn't big enough.

I was really hoping for the 100 gallon tank T_T

I'm also hoping both my turtles are male so they are smaller but you can't tell what gender they are since they are only two inches right?

[Tertule]

On the upside, with the tank in your room, falling asleep won't be a problem. I've fallen asleep in our turtle room a bunch of times.

At 2 inches you still can't tell...heck ours are almost 3 inches and we still can't tell. A 50 gallon tank should cover you for a couple years with your turtles.

[SpotsMama]

And someday you'll get that 100 gallon tank.....

[CrossKnight]

I hope someday when I move out I'll be able to get a tank that is much bigger then 100 gallons and have a floor that can support it lol