DarkDep's Ultimate DIY: 8 Foot 300 Gallon Tank

[Vizerdrix]

I like that idea, but that means only one or maybe two people can move the thing...that's 400lbs potentially rolling down the stairs.

My hubby and I move pinball machines up and down the stairs with a dolly all the time, and some of our machines weigh that much!!!  As long as you take it slow, it shouldn't be a problem.

[busdriver]

Chris, it's a lot easier when 1 person is driving and 3 people are guiding the thing down the stairs.
There are more people keeping the tank from falling down the stairs.

[dan2x38]

When I was younger... much younger in early 20s I worked in Edmonton for an office furniture company. We had to sometimes move & install fire files. They are like basic filing cabinets except hey have close to 1.5" of fire proof concreate in a metal Their drop tested from 8 stories withstand temps over 1500f. They are close to 550 lbs for a 4 drawer. There is a dolly just like a fridge ones that have little catches on the back where the normal ones are they prevent it going down a step until you let go of a hand held lever, they go one step at a time. Two of us sometimes had to move them because that is all that could fit in the stairwell. We even had to use just brute force to maneuver. Maybe that is why my back is like pudding now... LOL  Should be able to rent one of those puppies?

[darkdep]

Ok guys, you've convinced me   I'll head over to BA's sometime over the next day or two and ask about the availability of that tank

[darkdep]

Here's an interesting option.  I found an Aquarticles article from a guy who has gone through a group order bringing in large acrylic tanks into Canada from a large manufacturer in the states.  Given the current strength of our dollar and the MUCH lower prices there...this might be feasible.

Check out www.tenecor.com.  I can get a 240gal Acrylic tank for about 1100 US.  That's cheap. 

[gmann]

  I so want the 20' in wall tank.  What are the dimensions you are going with? I would def. go with a 30" High tank!
thanks for posting Chris.

[darkdep]

At this point I'm aiming for 84" x 24" x 30".  If this company comes back with anything even remotely competitive, I may attempt a group order.  Not that there will be a lot of people in the market for a $1000 tank, but when that $1000 buys you a tank that would cost $3000-$4000 here, it may get some interest.

[busdriver]

I've had Tenecor as one of my favourite sites for a long time.
They build every kind of tank you can imagine, round, oval, you name it, they'll build it.
I've even seen them install one through the roof of a house using a crane.
These were all salt water tanks though.

Chris, I was wondering if they would install it at your place?

[RossW]

Would the group order save some $$$ shipping and/or get a discount?

[Brine]

When I worked at Canus Plastics during the summers in University we built a large bow front acrylic tank for someone. This would be maybe 5 or so years ago. I was not into aquariums at the time but it was an interesting project. As I recall it was about 6ft long. 2ft tall and about 2ft wide at the wide part of the bow. It was made with 1" thick acrylic. I don't know how much we charged but acrylic that thick is NOT inexpensive. Perhaps someone here knows about the tank. I think it was installed in Rockcliff Park somewhere and as I recall it was to be a saltwater tank. All that to say it might be worth talking to Canus to see what kind of price you might get there. If you decide to go that route let me know as I still have contacts there and may be able to get some kind of discount....maybe.

[dan2x38]

Of course nice thing about acrylic easy to drill & work with. That thick no real scratch issue you can use a buff kit for them if their not too deep.

[darkdep]

I never thought of asking Canus but that wouldn't hurt. I would imagine it would only need to be 1/2inch tho, as that's the glass thickness I was going with.

[dan2x38]

Which is heavier glass or acrylic?

[darkdep]

Glass is about twice the weight of acrylic.  Several sites on the net have opinions from people who would never go glass above a certain size just because of the weight.  However, Acrylic is much stronger.  The only real downsides to Acrylic are that it's easier to scratch and it costs more.  But it's apparently fairly easy to buff scratches out.

[sniggir]

you may find that 1/2 in acrilic will bow unless you brase the crap out of it.

[audioslave_36]

Call the Plastec number I posted in this thread before and get a quote from them, I am sure they will be cheaper than Canus, and they do amazing work.

[Funkmotor]

Not to fuel the fire, but this article says that for 30" high you need to use at least 3/4" acrylic.  It might be more impact-resistant than glass, but it's not as resistant to bowing (and then pulling apart at the joins.)

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_acrylic_aquarium.php

[audioslave_36]

Any news ?  Whats going on ?  You have left us all in the dark   

[darkdep]

Sorry

Drywalling is almost done.  Crazy couple of work weeks and some travel has slowed things down but just some sanding and painting left.  The floor will wait until after the tank is in place.

Current line of thinking is back to building.  Considering the 265gal tank from BA, but I'm skeptical of their ability to deliver it, and get it down my stairs.  I built a "test" contraption out of 2x4 and it goes down fine if you don't take weight into account, the people to carry the weight, and possible dolly.  Although it would come assembled, I would be "settling" in certain ways...I'd get the 30" height (which, while visually nice, I really don't want...) and with the assembly route I get to use Starphire in the front.

This weekend should see the remainder of the wall completed, then I'll have my final decision.

[dan2x38]

So will the tank be a Christmas gift or New Year's project?