How much does a 20 Gal fish tank weigh when full?

Question

I have 2 and want to stack them but I live i nan old house and wanto to be sure the floor can handle the weight in such a small area.

Answer 1

one gallon of water weighs 8.4#

Answer 2

20 Gal Fish Tank

Answer 3

20 Gallon Water Tank

Answer 4

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RE:
How much does a 20 Gal fish tank weigh when full?
I have 2 and want to stack them but I live i nan old house and wanto to be sure the floor can handle the weight in such a small area.

Answer 5

Water actually weighs 8.8 pounds per gallon, so 20 gallons of water would weigh 20 x 8.8 or 167.6 pounds. Then you add the weight of the tank, approx. 10 pounds. Then you add the weight of the gravel or sand you put in, about 15-20 pounds. All totaled it comes to around 185-195 pounds. About the weight of one adult male who is 5'10" tall. So two of them would be close to 400 pounds plus the rack you are going to put them on. Always use rubber pads under the rack to avoid damaging your floors.

Go to the basement and find the spot directly below where you want to place the tanks. If there is a beam supporting the floor or a load bearing wall in the basement within a few feet, you should be fine.

You should also look at the condition of the wood in the floor supports. Is it dry and brittle or not? Is there a plywood base that your flooring is on? If so, go for it.

I live in a house that was built in 1952 and have had as many as 4 tanks in the living room with no problems. I have since moved them to the basement where the floor is concrete, so no worries now.

I have also built racks for my tanks out of 2x4's. One that supports one 55 g tank, one 20 g tank and one 10 g tank. Another 2x4 rack has four 10's and two 15's on it and the other has two 20's, four 10's and one 15. The rest all have their own stands. So, what I'm saying is that new 2x4 lumber is very strong and will hold a lot of weight.

I wouldn't hesitate to put two 20's on a rack in my living room again. IMHO it would be OK.

Answer 6

One 20 gallon tank weighs 225 lbs., so two would weigh 450 lbs. This is the weight for a glass aquarium. An acrylic tank would weigh a little less. This weight is for the aquarium and water only. You would then need to weigh any gravel, decorations, etc. and add that amount to this.

Answer 7

Technically tanks marketed as 20 gallon tank only hold 17 gallons of water, but I'd plan on 225 pounds a piece. Your floor should have no problem with less than 500 pounds.

Answer 8

A gallon of water weighs 8 lbs. now, don't forget the fish and the gravel, and the plants, and the chemicals that you put in the water, and the decorations, and the filter.............................

usually, you factor between 10-12 lbs per gallon for a fish tank. so, yours would weigh between 200 and 240 lbs each, so 400 to 480 lbs for both of them. I wouldn't worry too much about your flooring, unless it moves when you walk on it. that's just like having two or three grown men standing there at one time, it's not all that much for a floor. If you live in a trailor or mobile home, then you should put more support under that part of the house by installing jack stands, but if it's a stick built home, then i wouldn't worry any about it. just make sure you get an aquarium stand that can support both of them properly.

good luck, hope that helps!!

Answer 9

A gallon of water weighs 8.34lbs. 20gallons of water will weigh 166.80lbs.(8.34x20=166.80) Now, usually fish tanks have ornaments,rocks,pumps, and fish, so you will have to add the weight of these items, plus the stands. You will have 2 tanks so double the weight.Now, as a contractor, considering you have an older home. I recommend reinforcing the floor. No matter what condition the floor may be in, over time the weight, and possible water leaks and damage will certainly weaken the floor. I do hope this is of some help to you.

Answer 10

technically your tank wont hold the maximum amount of water because the decorations and gravel or sand, fish, etc. displace the water. However, gravel is heavier than water. Try to carry an empty milk jug around with gravel in it....you'll wish it was water pretty soon. However, definitely plan on about 200 lbs or so with an inch of gravel. if you put more or use sand count on that weight going up to 225lbs pretty quick

Answer 11

I think my book for starting an aquarium said for every gallon of water it weighs 10 lbs. So my 20 gallon tank weighs 200 lbs when full. so two would be 400 pounds. you should definitely make sure whatever stand you use can hold the weight so it doesnt break or tip over. Hope this helps