Marine aquarium 500+ L in an apartment: preparation
Slab check, waterproofing, electrical, cabinet, skimmer. What must be ready BEFORE ordering the tank.
A 500 L aquarium with water and gear weighs about 700 kg. Marine — add sand, corals, pumps — 800–900 kg. That's 1 000–1 100 kg/m² on 0.8 m² of slab. In typical Khrushchev-era flats this exceeds the rated load. Pre-check before ordering.
01Step 1. Slab check
New builds with monolithic concrete slabs (380–400 mm) — 500 kg/m² distributed allowed; aquarium in corner = point load up to 1 100 kg/m². OK for monolith.
Stalinka/Khrushchevka/Brezhnevka — 220–250 mm hollow or ribbed slabs, rated 200 kg/m². 500+ L exceeds. Need engineering calc or place over a load-bearing wall.
02Step 2. Floor waterproofing
- Tray under cabinet 30–50 mm border — mandatory for 500+ L
- Waterproof membrane (Mapeguard, Schlüter-Kerdi) under floor in tank zone
- Leak sensor in the tray with water shut-off (for winter trips)
03Step 3. Electrical
Skimmer + pumps + heater + lights = 600–1200 W. Separate line with 16A breaker and 30 mA RCD. IP54 outlets minimum.
04Step 4. Delivery
| Method | 2026 cost | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo lift (if any) | included | 1 day |
| Through window by crane | +22 000–38 000 ₽ | 1 day + HOA |
| UV-bond on site | +42 000 ₽ | +3 days (cure) |
Marine aquarium isn't "buy and install." It's a 4–6 month engineering project + 3–6 months of bio cycling. Full budget: 380 000 to 1 200 000 ₽ for the proverbial 500 L. If that range surprises you — start with a 100 L freshwater.
05This service at REAL GLASS
If you've read this far, the topic is probably relevant to a real project. We make aquariums and vitrines in-house in St. Petersburg, with a measure within 1–3 days, 1-year warranty and a fixed contract price. All numbers in this article come from our actual 2026 quotes.
For a project-specific estimate — see the service page or request a free on-site measure.
