Where is the best place to custom order an Acrylic Tank? Guessing Acrylic
is the best way to go on large tanks 200+gal?

Thanks!

Dustin

pretty much the only way to go once the tanks get that big...glass tanks in
the 150+ gallon range are hundreds of pounds...empty

I don't know if you can custom order fish tanks though, I wouldn't think UPS
would send such a large and delicate shipment as a 6' long tank

"Dustin" wrote in message
...
Where is the best place to custom order an Acrylic Tank? Guessing Acrylic
is the best way to go on large tanks 200+gal?

Thanks!

Dustin

Where is the best place to custom order an Acrylic Tank? Guessing Acrylic
is the best way to go on large tanks 200+gal?

When a friend researched putting a 200+ tank in his house, he had to
contract with a builder, for codes, foundation checking, load balancing,
structural integrity and other issues...

He found that some/alot of contractors know people who "custom install"
acrylic tanks per the blue prints from the owners...

You might find one such builder/contractor in your area... They can build,
install, plumb, run your wires, whatever you need.... but yep, did cost him
nearly $3k for a 285gallon tank in his living room... and in his kitchen and
in his den... it's a 3 sided tank. it's something like 8feet long, 3feet
tall, 4feet wide

I don't know if you can custom order fish tanks though, I wouldn't think UPS
would send such a large and delicate shipment as a 6' long tank

Yes, you can custom order fishtanks...much bigger than 6'. They usually have
their own delivery service. (That's how fishtanks get to the LFS, too.)

See http://www.westcoastaquarium.com/

If I ever win the lottery, I'm getting an aquarium from them. :-)


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/

Sounds nice to me

In this county, we are not zoned nor do we need contractors

Also, I like to do it myself, makes me appreciate it more

I wonder if its cheaper to have someone do it though?

Anyone have a HUGE tank?
Pics?



Thanks

Dustin

"350X_Rider" wrote in message
...
Where is the best place to custom order an Acrylic Tank? Guessing
Acrylic
is the best way to go on large tanks 200+gal?

When a friend researched putting a 200+ tank in his house, he had to
contract with a builder, for codes, foundation checking, load balancing,
structural integrity and other issues...

He found that some/alot of contractors know people who "custom install"
acrylic tanks per the blue prints from the owners...

You might find one such builder/contractor in your area... They can build,
install, plumb, run your wires, whatever you need.... but yep, did cost
him
nearly $3k for a 285gallon tank in his living room... and in his kitchen
and
in his den... it's a 3 sided tank. it's something like 8feet long, 3feet
tall, 4feet wide

"Dustin" wrote in message
...

In this county, we are not zoned nor do we need contractors

I would rethink that. The need for the contractor has little to do with the
law. The concern is that a 300 gallon tank (for example) will weigh in
excess of 3000 pounds (US). (water weighs over 8 pounds (US) per gallon,
plus filters, substrate, decor) Most frame houses cannot support this kind
of weight. If you put in a tank of that size in your home without consulting
professional advice, you're going to have a disaster. Dead fish, broken
tank, broken house, impromptu swimming pool. I guarantee it. The cost of
repairing the damage will be much more than hiring someone who knows what
they're doing.

I would rethink that. The need for the contractor has little to do with the
law. The concern is that a 300 gallon tank (for example) will weigh in
excess of 3000 pounds (US). (water weighs over 8 pounds (US) per gallon,
plus filters, substrate, decor) Most frame houses cannot support this kind
of weight. If you put in a tank of that size in your home without consulting
professional advice, you're going to have a disaster.

Agreed. In fact, I would probably consult an expert for any tank over 125
gallons. At the very least, you'll want to place it against a load-bearing
wall (preferably in a corner), and across the joists, not along them.

Even if your house is on a concrete slab, there are limits. Every once in
awhile you hear about someone who thought they didn't have to worry about
weight because their house was on a slab. They put in a huge tank, and
everything's fine...until the slab starts to sink. Repairing that kind of
damage costs thousands.


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/

Xref: 127.0.0.1 rec.aquaria.freshwater.plants:69689

$3k for a custom setup sounds mighty reasonable to me, I'm up to $2700 on my
125g... (but that includes fish and food and such)

"350X_Rider" wrote in message
...
Where is the best place to custom order an Acrylic Tank? Guessing
Acrylic
is the best way to go on large tanks 200+gal?

When a friend researched putting a 200+ tank in his house, he had to
contract with a builder, for codes, foundation checking, load balancing,
structural integrity and other issues...

He found that some/alot of contractors know people who "custom install"
acrylic tanks per the blue prints from the owners...

You might find one such builder/contractor in your area... They can build,
install, plumb, run your wires, whatever you need.... but yep, did cost
him
nearly $3k for a 285gallon tank in his living room... and in his kitchen
and
in his den... it's a 3 sided tank. it's something like 8feet long, 3feet
tall, 4feet wide

would this be a problem at all if you put it on the first floor? I've read
that all homes have to be spec'd to 1.5lbs/in^2 min, on EVERY floor

"WD" wrote in message
t.net...

"Dustin" wrote in message
...

In this county, we are not zoned nor do we need contractors

I would rethink that. The need for the contractor has little to do with
the
law. The concern is that a 300 gallon tank (for example) will weigh in
excess of 3000 pounds (US). (water weighs over 8 pounds (US) per gallon,
plus filters, substrate, decor) Most frame houses cannot support this kind
of weight. If you put in a tank of that size in your home without
consulting
professional advice, you're going to have a disaster. Dead fish, broken
tank, broken house, impromptu swimming pool. I guarantee it. The cost of
repairing the damage will be much more than hiring someone who knows what
they're doing.

would this be a problem at all if you put it on the first floor?

Yes, it can be.

I've read
that all homes have to be spec'd to 1.5lbs/in^2 min, on EVERY floor

Even if that's true...that means a 6' by 18" "footprint" will hold less than
2,000 pounds:

72" x 18" = 1296 square inches

1.5 x 1296 = 1944 pounds

So, in water alone: 1944 pounds /8.3 pounds per gallon = 234 gallons

But...it's not just water alone you have to worry about. There's also the
weight of the tank and stand, the gravel, rocks, driftwood, filter, hood, etc.
Plus the weight of anyone standing by the tank to watch it. :-)

And the real-life situation can be a lot more complicated. The weight won't be
distributed evenly over the "footprint." Depending on the stand you get, it
will distributed over four or six or eight small feet, or around the edges of
the stand. You definitely want the feet to be on the joists, if you have a
stand with feet.

In sum, I would really save the upstairs for smaller tanks. For the first
floor, if you have a slab, you'll probably be okay as long as you don't go
crazy. If you have a basement, shore up the first floor from the basement (you
can get "instant footings" from Home Depot). And do it *before* you set up the
tank. Once the tank is set up and filled, it's too late -- the beams are
already deformed.


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/

Anyone have a HUGE tank?
Pics?

Have you seen this site:

http://www.mr4000.com

He's called "Mr. 4000" because he has a 4000 gallon tank!

He's also got a more moderate 750 gallon tank.

I would also recommend reading this page, however:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...ium_weight.php


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/

Thats considering you have a wooden floor w/ crawl space or basement. I was
thinking about putting it on a concrete floor. with a custom built wood /
iron stand.


"WD" wrote in message
t.net...

"Dustin" wrote in message
...

In this county, we are not zoned nor do we need contractors

I would rethink that. The need for the contractor has little to do with
the
law. The concern is that a 300 gallon tank (for example) will weigh in
excess of 3000 pounds (US). (water weighs over 8 pounds (US) per gallon,
plus filters, substrate, decor) Most frame houses cannot support this kind
of weight. If you put in a tank of that size in your home without
consulting
professional advice, you're going to have a disaster. Dead fish, broken
tank, broken house, impromptu swimming pool. I guarantee it. The cost of
repairing the damage will be much more than hiring someone who knows what
they're doing.

I agree with Leigh here.

I put in 3 *24,000 lb* floor joysts before puttin in the tank. since I have
a full basement.

Its the strongest point in the house now


"LeighMo" wrote in message
...
would this be a problem at all if you put it on the first floor?

Yes, it can be.

I've read
that all homes have to be spec'd to 1.5lbs/in^2 min, on EVERY floor

Even if that's true...that means a 6' by 18" "footprint" will hold less
than
2,000 pounds:

72" x 18" = 1296 square inches

1.5 x 1296 = 1944 pounds

So, in water alone: 1944 pounds /8.3 pounds per gallon = 234 gallons

But...it's not just water alone you have to worry about. There's also the
weight of the tank and stand, the gravel, rocks, driftwood, filter, hood,
etc.
Plus the weight of anyone standing by the tank to watch it. :-)

And the real-life situation can be a lot more complicated. The weight
won't be
distributed evenly over the "footprint." Depending on the stand you get,
it
will distributed over four or six or eight small feet, or around the edges
of
the stand. You definitely want the feet to be on the joists, if you have
a
stand with feet.

In sum, I would really save the upstairs for smaller tanks. For the first
floor, if you have a slab, you'll probably be okay as long as you don't go
crazy. If you have a basement, shore up the first floor from the basement
(you
can get "instant footings" from Home Depot). And do it *before* you set
up the
tank. Once the tank is set up and filled, it's too late -- the beams are
already deformed.


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/

oh wow , what are your stats?
My 125 has a running total of 1799.03 right now. And ive only had it a
month.

Any Pics?


Dustin

"Christopher" wrote in message
ink.net...
$3k for a custom setup sounds mighty reasonable to me, I'm up to $2700 on
my
125g... (but that includes fish and food and such)

"350X_Rider" wrote in message
...
Where is the best place to custom order an Acrylic Tank? Guessing
Acrylic
is the best way to go on large tanks 200+gal?

When a friend researched putting a 200+ tank in his house, he had to
contract with a builder, for codes, foundation checking, load balancing,
structural integrity and other issues...

He found that some/alot of contractors know people who "custom install"
acrylic tanks per the blue prints from the owners...

You might find one such builder/contractor in your area... They can
build,
install, plumb, run your wires, whatever you need.... but yep, did cost
him
nearly $3k for a 285gallon tank in his living room... and in his kitchen
and
in his den... it's a 3 sided tank. it's something like 8feet long, 3feet
tall, 4feet wide

Hes now my HERO haha

See the pics where he is swimming in it! WOW

Very COOL


"LeighMo" wrote in message
...
Anyone have a HUGE tank?
Pics?

Have you seen this site:

http://www.mr4000.com

He's called "Mr. 4000" because he has a 4000 gallon tank!

He's also got a more moderate 750 gallon tank.

I would also recommend reading this page, however:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...ium_weight.php


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/