300g dream reef, off to a bad start!!

[deuce6371]

Well, my wife went and did it. She bought me a new tank. You know, the one you really want but just can’t bring yourself to buy because of the price. I had my eye on it for over a year and then she really surprised me….. She bought me a 300 gallon acrylic.

She thought I would just put the new one up. When I told her it would take at least a couple of months to get the old tank moved, the new tank supported, a new stand built, lights hung, plumbing ran, tank cycled and finally everyone moved in. She, as well as I started to have doubts.



Well I picked up my tank from the shipping company on Friday, inspected it and signed for it. I took the packaging off, just enough to do an inspection of the majority of the tank, but still left enough in place to get it home safely.

Then I got it home and unpacked it and found this!!!! A cracked overflow that extended to the bottom/back seam of the tank.

I have contact the maker, Midwest Custom Aquariums, he in turn filed a claim with the shipper, SAIA, and now I need to wait. It is killing me. Chris at Midwest told me he would make it right with me and I beleive him. I am just very disappointed and scared I may get stuck with a very expensive acrylic coffee table.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[badgers034]

Well, if worse comes to worse, you can use it as a terrarium. Put a komodo dragon in there. But, that does suck that your dream tank may become a nightmare. Good luck.

 

[stlouisguy]

Hope it all works out for you. Usually the tank makers make it right, so hang in there.

On the subject of the set up, dont dread it. Jut like in life, its not the destination but the journey that you most remember. Make a build thread, do it together and have fun with it.

Also we need a picture of your wife in the tank

 

[Cuervo]

Look on the positive side. You can plan the build while you wait on the new tank.

I'm sure the builder will get it taken care of, or the shippers insurance.

Judging by where that crack is on the bottom, it's pretty evident that it was damaged in shipping.

 

[Waxxiemann]

I feel bad for your wife, dude. I'd feel bad I I gave someone somthing they really wanted and it showed up busted.

I really hope that it all works out for you, man. remember that it's only the overflow and you can fix it yourself if worse comes to worse.

Good luck!

 

[huskerreef]

I wouldn't sweat it to much, I have bought 2 acrylics from Midwest and Chris has always been a great guy to work with. He bailed me out quickly when my 240 glass cracked and flooded my house. Within a week I had a replacement 240 acrylic from Midwest. I would guess that he would make it right with you, they just seem to be that type of of company

 

[salty3]

man i hope you have a strong floor for the tank do you have concrete or wood

 

[invincible569]

acrylic is easy to fix. just be glad it isnt glass

 

[deuce6371]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8805335#post8805335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by salty3
man i hope you have a strong floor for the tank do you have concrete or wood

That is an excellent question. I have wood joists and they are running the wrong way. My house is a 1898 victorian so the joists are real hardwood and very thick. I will be planning the reinforcement soon, but shooting from the hip I plan to run some extra joists under the tank and connect them to the current ones. Then sister them with 2x6 in between. Then run beams under the joists going across them. Finally dig some holes and pour cement, then put up house jacks every 2 feet under the cross beams.

Do you think that will do it?

 

[deuce6371]

Well I have not kept up on posting for awhile so here is an update. The freight company denied the claim and basically i was stuck with a 8ft long acrylic paperweight but Chris at Midwest Custom came through big time. He made me a new tank and took the loss on the broke one. I offered to drive up to MN and swamp the tanks to help to offset the costs. I can't say enough about that!

Although, it did end up costing me more to drive and pick it up than to just have it shipped. A buddy went with me and we stopped at a casino and spent the night, well gambled most of it away that is.

I really like the quality of the tank and can't wait to get it set up. Last week I finished supporting the floor where the tank will stand. Under this old house it is pretty nasty. I think I got the black lung.....Anyway, tomorrow I start to build the stand.

I also received my lights from Thomas at Aquarium depot. He was good to work with as well. I am going with two 4 foot aquamedic light hoods. They each have 2X250 HQI 10,000k and2X54W blue T5s. Of course the first set arrived with broke bulbs, and then the second was on backorder. Thomas made it all good and I was happy with his extra effort. I can't wait to see those lights suspended over the tank.

 

[rppvt]

soooo do you still have the old one? I've got some glue and some clamps...

 

[Zoos]

Glad to see everything worked out for you.

 

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

im sorry for your mishap...

 

[crescent1]

your wife is great,she must really love you.

 

[cnordstrom]

Jeez, I just told my wife about your wife's purchase for you, and her response was, "Dream on, love"!

Some day, some day...

 

[deuce6371]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9266309#post9266309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crescent1
your wife is great,she must really love you.

Yeah she is pretty sweet. i think it was kind of a mixture of true love and she was just plain tired of hearing me beg!!

 

[deuce6371]

Here is some progression pics of the bookshelf tear out for the 300g.

75gallon setup prior to moving it.

After the 75g and stand was moved.

Bookshelf prepped for 300g

Here are some pics of my basement and the support system for the floor joists.

This one is behind the brick wall

 

[rppvt]

Look! Plumbing! I see a drain in your future.... Easy water changes...

 

[220gallon]

Looks like you have your hands full, but it will be worth it when your done.

 

[spazz]

wel to ease your mind a little i know chris at midwest. he is a very stand up guy. he will work with you to get the problem resolved if the freight company does not cover the damages. the big problem is that you signed for the aquarium. you should have completly removed all the creating and covering so you could inspect every square inch of the tank. freight drivers dont care if your stuff is broke or not. there just a warm body in the seat. in the end cris will help you to get your dream tank up and running. yo may ned up chiping in a little cask to get it repaired but it dont look like its going to be too hard to repair. as long as the main tank is not dammaged and its only the overflow box its very easy to repair. if the tank is cracked then you might have a little more expense to get it fixed but dont loose all hope. ita acrylic and can be fixed. chris will do what he can to help you where other tank vendors would say you signed for it its your problem.