Reef tank in an apartment

[Sam45]

Hello all,

Does anyone here have a tank in an apartment/condo? I am moving into an apartment soon and will no longer have my dad’s 14 y/o tank to look at.

I am curious as to what challenges apartment tanks specifically bring and what size is manageable. Space isn’t too much of an issue, I will have an extra bedroom and a total of 1,200sq ft or so. I am thinking a peninsula tank and capping it at the 40-50 gal mark. Curious to hear some first hand experience of how it’s gone for y’all and what unexpected issues you have come across

 

[FishTruck]

I had a 60 gallon reef tank in our condo. I ruined the hardwood floors when I left the RODI running overnight fortunately, there is no one below us just the garage. I moved it upstairs and had heat issues in the summertime and also the floor started sagging due to cheap construction. Other than that it was fine

 

[Privateye]

I've kept tanks in apartments before. Renter's insurance can bring some peace of mind, but I only got it when the landlord required.

Ideally I keep aquariums on the ground floor, and preferably on tile. Not wood. I've done freshwater tanks on carpet (and a couple of small reef tanks) but I don't feel super comfortable about salt water. You know some salt will get in and under the carpet over time.

You just don't want a bunch of salt water getting on your floors, or into the walls. The size you're thinking should be fine - I kept multiple 55 gallon tanks on the second floor of a 2-story apartment. Structurally I wouldn't worry too much. If you assume about 10 lbs per gallon (could be different due to rock and sand amounts) then get a couple of buddies and stand in the spot where you plan to put the tank. The floor should hold fine.

I've had a leak on the second floor too, but I caught it before it got bad. There was just a damp spot on the carpet from fresh water. I drained the tank, put the fish in a Rubbermaid bin overnight, and replaced the tank the next day. If you spot a leak, don't waste time - treat it like it's bigger than it is.

 

[Rob A]

Just make sure that the lease doesn't prohibit water furniture.

 

[Servos]

I think the size that you're looking at would be good.

In my renting days, I had a 32 gallon biocube which was easy to maintain. A 5 gallon buck water change weekly. No sump to maintain, and an ato that fits in back compartment/ reservoir in stand. It wasn't bad to buy and haul RODI, which was easier than trying to run a system in the aprtment.
Similar to FishTruck, I did have heat challenges due to being on a 2nd floor and running metal halides. While LEDs will help with heat, it is something to consider if you're on upper floors.

A neighbor had a 75 gallon with a sump. While the tank did fine, having to stow all the supplies and maintenance items pretty much took up an entire closet. Something else to consider.

 

[Sam45]

I think the size that you're looking at would be good.

In my renting days, I had a 32 gallon biocube which was easy to maintain. A 5 gallon buck water change weekly. No sump to maintain, and an ato that fits in back compartment/ reservoir in stand. It wasn't bad to buy and haul RODI, which was easier than trying to run a system in the aprtment.
Similar to FishTruck, I did have heat challenges due to being on a 2nd floor and running metal halides. While LEDs will help with heat, it is something to consider if you're on upper floors.

A neighbor had a 75 gallon with a sump. While the tank did fine, having to stow all the supplies and maintenance items pretty much took up an entire closet. Something else to consider.

Interesting it was easier to buy RODI vs. make it. I figured I can hook a unit up into one of the bathrooms and make 4-5 gals as needed

 

[Servos]

Only had one bathroom shared with a wife and kid - may of been easier on me but certainly not on everyone!

 

[MichaelReefer]

Hello all,

Does anyone here have a tank in an apartment/condo? I am moving into an apartment soon and will no longer have my dad’s 14 y/o tank to look at.

I am curious as to what challenges apartment tanks specifically bring and what size is manageable. Space isn’t too much of an issue, I will have an extra bedroom and a total of 1,200sq ft or so. I am thinking a peninsula tank and capping it at the 40-50 gal mark. Curious to hear some first hand experience of how it’s gone for y’all and what unexpected issues you have come across

Back in the day I had a small tank in a bottom floor apartment, was like a 45 gallon? Some Apartments are super strict about it and have gallon restrictions, or want a special deposit.

 

[vlangel]

I also think an AIO lessens the chance of an overflow mishap. Another route that could work would be to buy a standard aquarium (40g breeders are great size) and use an oversized canister filter. I know a lot of folks don't like canister filters for reef tanks but Oase has the BioMaster series that has a prefilter which make the canister very maintenance friendly. After having sumped tanks for decades, I chose an Oase BioMaster canister filter for my new 75g last Sept and it works great. For added peace of mind I set the canister in a tote but nothing has ever leaked. Anyway, its a thought.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I had one in a townhome and never had issues with it. Just make sure that kind of thing is allowed with your landlord!

 

[Skippy The Meh]

I had a 60 gallon reef tank in our condo. I ruined the hardwood floors when I left the RODI running overnight fortunately, there is no one below us just the garage. I moved it upstairs and had heat issues in the summertime and also the floor started sagging due to cheap construction. Other than that it was fine

I had this happen too except there was someone downstairs and they were PO’d lol.

 

[Skippy The Meh]

Had a 50 long AIO in an apartment before, all was good.

 

[keagan]

Just make sure that the lease doesn't prohibit water furniture.

That's such weird terminology, I've seen that mentioned on here a few time and can't imagine writing that into a lease. I wouldn't want a tenant using actual water furniture (a water bed they all leak eventually) but I wouldn't care if they had an appropriately sized aquarium. If the lease mentions "water furniture" it may be worth asking the landlord if that includes aquariums.

 

[BryanM]

Hello all,

Does anyone here have a tank in an apartment/condo? I am moving into an apartment soon and will no longer have my dad’s 14 y/o tank to look at.

I am curious as to what challenges apartment tanks specifically bring and what size is manageable. Space isn’t too much of an issue, I will have an extra bedroom and a total of 1,200sq ft or so. I am thinking a peninsula tank and capping it at the 40-50 gal mark. Curious to hear some first hand experience of how it’s gone for y’all and what unexpected issues you have come across

You might want to ask the complex first, some places don't allow it.