DarkDep's Ultimate DIY: 8 Foot 300 Gallon Tank

[murgus]

When I'm spending that kind of dough, I'm a big fan of the warranty!

Andrew

[sdivell]

Go with the BA's tank.  Warranty plus you don't have to go through the hassle of building the custom tank.  since the tank wont be a custom size anyway. 
The BA's tank will be guaranteed to hold the water.  No crossing your fingers and toes while you fill it with water! 

[dan2x38]

Go that route with the warranty... delivered is way to go but make sure they are insured & guaranteed delivery. Don't scrimp on delivery!

[RossW]

...Which, makes me ask the question if I'm not better off buying the completed, with-warranty tank, and finding some movers who will bring it down the stairs.

What is the cost differential?  If it is a few hundred dollars, I would go with the store bought and warranty.  If I could save a grand...

Did you try somewhere like North American Fishbreeders in Scarborough 416-267-7252 for a price comparison?  gmann has used them before and speaks very highly of them.

[Mettle]

If I'm not mistaken - you can get that tank from BA's with built in overflows and all of that ready to go for you. So all of that is included in the price/warranty as well if I'm not mistaken. (Or at least I'd think it would be.) So this way if you are going the route of a sump/fuge of some type (and why not?) you don't have to hold your breath while someone drills the tank or void the warranty getting that done (as I'm sure the tampering with the glass would instantly void the warranty).

I'd go the way of buying it, personally... And I doubt it would be hard to find people willing to give you a hand. I think enough of us are excited for you that we'd be willing to pitch in time/effort to give ya a hand.

Do you even have any of your old fishroom/wall left? Lol.

[gmann]

Chris if you can get a 7ft tank down them stairs I suggest you go with buying one.Thats going to be one heavy tank:o  I would hire movers! 

[audioslave_36]

my 220g tank is only a foot shorter in length and four of us carried it down to my basement with no issues at all.

as far as warranty goes, if you are not putting the tank on a stand purchased from the seller/maker of the tank, I am pretty sure there is no warranty.(might want to check into that)

[darkdep]

You guys rock.  All of you. 

My stairs down, for any of you who haven't seen, are a little tight..there is a 90 degree turn in the middle, and the floor to ceiling is only about 7ft 6 inches.  I have gotten a lot of large items down with some careful work, and I believe the tank dimensions would be doable...but the tank would, at one point, need to almost be vertical.  Kind of hard to get 4 guys under one side of the tank...

What I was thinking was perhaps contacting a moving company that specializes in pianos and other heavy delicate items.  I would imagine I'm not the first person to want to do this.  If anyone can pull it off, someone like that probably can...

If the warranty requirements need me to use a manufactured stand, maybe for this I'll buy the plain metal stand and wrap it to make it pretty, as opposed to building the frame out of 2x4.

NAB seems to have good prices...but of course then it has to be moved from TO...

[audioslave_36]

LOL,  my ceiling in my 90 degree turn in the center of my steps has a height of 7'2"  and we stood the tank on end on the landing (on a moving pad) then slid it around the corner and down she went.   no problems.   But do what makes you feel best.

[RoxyDog]

I know Hagen tanks have their warranty voided when you don't use their stand, so definitely check that out!

[darkdep]

Dave:  do you know offhand what your 220 weighed dry?

[audioslave_36]

I know Hagen tanks have their warranty voided when you don't use their stand, so definitely check that out!

My All Glass 220g is that way too. I am sure both my perfecto 120g tanks fall in the same category

I would say it is somewhere between 350 lbs to 400lbs

[ryancarman.com]

not that any one actually asked me directly but... i'd say go with a pre fab tank.

if nothing else but to avoid the pain of working with that much silicone.

[darkdep]

I guess I'll just need some strong help.  Sounds like your move is similar to mine. 

[audioslave_36]

I was worried too.  but it went very smooth.   And as I stated before I am available any time to help out, with drywall, mudding, and tank moving.

[darkdep]

You're on my list Dave, thanks so much.  I think you've convinced me it's a better option to get the pre-built tank.  I'll need to enlist a lot of help (I have an unstable back and it's probably not a good idea for me to get under this thing at all) but so many have already offered it should be doable.  You all have my sincere thanks.

[kennyman]

I thought Aquarium Services was also a delivery and install business. Have you asked them about it 

[darkdep]

No...but I will.  garnpet told me his story of them delivering a tank, but I got the impression that they only wanted to deal with "simple" installs (i.e: No Stairs).

[busdriver]

Can I make a suggestion about moving your tank to the basement?
Here goes, get one or rent one of those dollies that moving companies use to move fridges, a fish tank standing on end is about the same dimensions, I think, and it would be easier to move as it would be on wheels, I would think!

[darkdep]

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.