How much weight is safe on a kitchen worktop?

ripplyuk

I want to buy a bigger fish tank, which holds 24 litres. Would this be too much for the kitchen worktop long-term? There is a cupboard underneath but then a gap for the tumble dryer, which a small part of the tank would be sitting on. 

horsewithnoname

Probably depends on what it’s made of and how sturdy the cupboards underneath are. I’m about 16-17 stone and often sit on my worktop without any ill effects, if that helps?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

here's a wee GADGET, give you an idea of weight.

FreeBear

ripplyuk said: I want to buy a bigger fish tank, which holds 24 litres. Would this be too much for the kitchen worktop long-term? There is a cupboard underneath but then a gap for the tumble dryer, which a small part of the tank would be sitting on. 

Depends on the quality of the base units. I used kitchen base units in my darkroom and placed two enlargers on the worktop (~25Kg each). When I took the units out, I found the legs were pushing up through the base panel.

Whilst your new fish tank may be OK for a while, I'm not sure it would be a good idea to keep something of that size on there for long. Or if you do, put some reinforcements in to transfer the load from worktop to floor. Don't rely on those plastic legs to take the weight.

ripplyuk

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

here's a wee GADGET, give you an idea of weight.

It says it weighs 38.3kg. I have no idea what thickness the glass is so I just guessed at half an inch thick. It seems like a lot of weight. 

[Deleted User]

Hi,

that's only about 6 stones in old money.

Brie

Well going by the fact that 1 litre = 1 kilogram just the water would be 24 kg.  I doubt the fish and paraphenailia would change that much so it's just the weight of the tank itself that would need to be added in.  Glass is quite heavy so another 14 kg is quite possible.  And the weight would be distributed over quite a large area so that would make it easier.

What I don't understand is why anyone would want a large fish tank in the kitchen unless it was to store next week's lobsters.

ripplyuk

Brie said:

What I don't understand is why anyone would want a large fish tank in the kitchen unless it was to store next week's lobsters.

It’s near to the sink which makes water changes much less hassle. There’s plenty of sockets for the filter, air lines etc. The worktop surface is water-resistant so splashes aren’t a problem and it’s easily cleaned. 

DullGreyGuy

Brie said:

Well going by the fact that 1 litre = 1 kilogram just the water would be 24 kg.  I doubt the fish and paraphenailia would change that much so it's just the weight of the tank itself that would need to be added in.  Glass is quite heavy so another 14 kg is quite possible.  And the weight would be distributed over quite a large area so that would make it easier.

What I don't understand is why anyone would want a large fish tank in the kitchen unless it was to store next week's lobsters.

Googling some 24-25L tanks on Amazon and they are all around 3-4kg in weight - no where near 14kg

Ultimately it will come down to the quality/size of the base units, the worksurface material etc etc but most should be able to hold 30kg.

To the OP - whats on the otherside of the tumble drier? If a wall or such is the worksurface attached to that wall?

ripplyuk

@DullGreyGuy Here’s a photo. You can see the tank I have at the minute. The new one would be a couple of inches longer. 

DullGreyGuy

ripplyuk said:

@DullGreyGuy Here’s a photo. You can see the tank I have at the minute. The new one would be a couple of inches longer. 

Assuming the worktop is in good condition then I personally wouldnt be worried by it.  If anything I'd be more concerned if the tumble drier heats the worksurface and would change the tank temp than the temp breaking the worksurface