500G Reef Tank in Puerto Rico

[JanVelazquez]

Hi everyone

I would like to start by congratulating Ching Chai and Peter (nineball) for their incredible tanks. You have truly inspired me to create a project to be proud of.

I acquired two identical tanks from a hotel that was closing down but I am just setting up one in my apartment do to space limitations. The tanks measure (96"w x 44"h x 29"d) with 3/4" thick glass.

They are quite heavy and transporting them was a nightmare. I live in a high rise building on the 15th floor and (the one I kept) had to be lifted with a crane 150' because it would not fit on the elevator. It has a steel reinforced stand and it came with lamps, pumps, chiller and filter.

I have been away from the hobby for quite some time now and I am looking for advice from the RC community.

Best Regards to all;

Jan

 

[GiantBen]

Sounds awesome. Hope it doesn't end up on the 14th floor when you fill it

 

[dave.m]

Agreed. 96"L x 44"W x 29"H = 530 gal US is a really big tank. I hope you checked with the people who own/operate your building about where you intend to install it.

Dave.M

 

[nuccadoc]

Thanks for sharing your project, hope all goes well. Peter and Ching are great inspirations! 44" high, that's a really tall tank. Any pics?

 

[JanVelazquez]

GiantBen, I was concerned about that so I brought in a structural engineer who gave me the go ahead. It is located between two columns and the building itself is made of concrete and rebar. Still, it should weight aroung 6000lbs full.

I'm in the top two floors so if it falls down it will end up in my dining room.

Let's hope for the best.

Thanks ... Jan

 

[dzfish17]

This should be fun. I love tall tanks even though they are harder to aquascape and do maintenance on. Will you be running a closed loop on the tank?

 

[JanVelazquez]

Dave thanks for the reply. When I saw them I knew I had to buy them.

I did inform the building administration but I never told them the size :twitch:

I brought in a structural engineer who gave me the OK so I filled it up and the floor is still there.

I also brought up a hot tub roughly the same size. I'll put up some pictures so you can see.

Thanks

Jan

 

[Bax]

Agreed. 96"L x 44"W x 29"H = 530 gal US is a really big tank. I hope you checked with the people who own/operate your building about where you intend to install it.

Dave.M

Most building in PR are 100% concrete

 

[JanVelazquez]

Scott. Here are the pics you requested.

And yes... Peter and Ching are my inspiration. I dont have their budget but lets see what I can come up with.

The Hotel I got them from

Ripping them out of the lobby bar

I had to get a forklift because 10 people could not lift it

Almost out

Its finally out of the wall

First one out, onto the next one.

Both tanks on the truck and the hot tub

The crane

View of the crane from my apt

My building

 

[JanVelazquez]

We have lift off

Once it reached the top floor

Almost

Almost

Successfull landing. Let's move it now.

Inside my living room

 

[JanVelazquez]

That's me with my new toy

The hot tub

 

[James404]

Whenever theres a crane involved...you know the build is going to be awesome, subbed!

 

[Clintonramsey]

Wow that thing is huge to be upstairs. Glad to see the lift went well that could have been really bad.

 

[JanVelazquez]

Dave (Z-man)

Initially I will be using the equipment that came with the tank. It has a 90G sump that was used with bio balls. I will be changing that to another method. Tha's where I am looking for advice.

I have an overflow box and several GenX pumps.

Do to space limitations I will be purchasing a custom sump that is divided in sections.

Right now I just have it up on the stand and I plant to close off the wall and make a small room behind the aquarium for maintenance and storage.

I will also have a 55G Drum (plumbed) for water changes.

What so you guys think?

Regards

Jan

 

[JanVelazquez]

James404... The day I moved it from the hotel to my house was one of the longest days of my life. Thanks for your reply.

Clinton... The crane operators did a great job. 150' up in the air with the wind was tough but they made it happen.

 

[JanVelazquez]

This is how was able to get it from the floor to the stand. This is basically the summary pictures but it took me a full day of work. Moving 1000lbs is not easy at all.

 

[chrisv]

Are you planning to re-seal that? I would be pretty worried about the seal after that much stress.

 

[chrisv]

is your ceramic tile directly on concrete?

 

[JanVelazquez]

Are you planning to re-seal that? I would be pretty worried about the seal after that much stress.

The seals are intact. I have two of these tanks and they are both filled up and holding up fine. No leaks at all.

The glass has to be cleaned as it has some calcium deposit but I was looking online and found that with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar it comes out with some elbow grease.

 

[JanVelazquez]

is your ceramic tile directly on concrete?

The ceramic tile is glued directly to the floor. It is completelly filled up and holding fine with no cracks.

Also.. I put some plastic end caps on the legs of the stand.

Why do you ask?