500G Reef Tank in Puerto Rico

[chrisv]

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.

straight vinegar will work MUCH better. Baking soda is a weak base, vinegar is a weak acid. when you mix them the baking soda neutralizes the acid in the vinegar.

I'm so glad its holding. I only mentioned the sealing issue because i moved a second hand 75 g. and apparently the stress of the move was enough to compromise the integrity of the silicone. I filled it and wen tot bed. when i woke up the next day there were 75 gallons of water on my floor.

 

[chrisv]

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?

I only ask about this because with your current stand, there are six points of contact. That means that each leg holds 1000 pounds in a pretty small area. While the stand is probably fine to hold the weight, I worry about the actual construction of the apartment. If the tile has been laid directly on top of the concrete and rebar that you mentioned you should be fine. if there is an elevated floor with plywood subfloor, things could get sticky. I might have been inclined to put beams around the base of the stand so that the bottom looked like the top to better distribute the weight.

 

[JanVelazquez]

I only ask about this because with your current stand, there are six points of contact. That means that each leg holds 1000 pounds in a pretty small area. While the stand is probably fine to hold the weight, I worry about the actual construction of the apartment. If the tile has been laid directly on top of the concrete and rebar that you mentioned you should be fine. if there is an elevated floor with plywood subfloor, things could get sticky. I might have been inclined to put beams around the base of the stand so that the bottom looked like the top to better distribute the weight.

chrisv ... thanks for your commets. I'll try the vinegar to see how it goes.

as far as the weight issue, the building is completely made of reinforced concrete and rebar, the subfloor measures 8". It is also located between two structural support columns.

There is no wood at all.

The tile is basically italian tile with tile glue and grout.

Thanks again

Jan

 

[chrisv]

sweet! you have yourself a great building for reef tanks. I am JEALOUS. My tank weighs far less and i worry every day. I live in an old house in boston that makes me worry about each extra pound.

It looks like you're off to a great start. Good luck with your build and keep posting those pics!

 

[Ceebuano]

wow can't wait for this tank to come alive

 

[Barebucta]

Nice...not for the lighthearted though! Just the mere fact of where you put the tank makes this thread interesting. Can't wait to see it up and running. Make sure to take pictures of your progress. Best of luck to you!

 

[JanVelazquez]

Nice...not for the lighthearted though! Just the mere fact of where you put the tank makes this thread interesting. Can't wait to see it up and running. Make sure to take pictures of your progress. Best of luck to you!

Thanks Barebucta

The largest tank I've had before this one was 75G so going up to 500 was a real challenge. Even though my apartment has two floors I was forced to put it on the top floor because taking it down the stairs to the first floor was out of the question. It literally weights a ton.

I'll put up some more pictures later on.

Thanks

Jan

 

[JanVelazquez]

wow can't wait for this tank to come alive

Ceebuano

I'm a pretty patient person but I cant wait either.

Thanks for your post.

Jan

 

[jhentr]

Man, that's some guts to put it up 15 floors. Congrats. The crane with the tank dangling off it is an amazing (an scary) sight to behold.

Can't wait to see it take off.

 

[janey]

WOW
JAn Good Luck. Can't wait to see more pics as you go....
I myself am setting up a 110 Peninsula , Very small compare to yours..LOL

Where in PR are you ???



Janey

 

[JanVelazquez]

Man, that's some guts to put it up 15 floors. Congrats. The crane with the tank dangling off it is an amazing (an scary) sight to behold.

Can't wait to see it take off.

jhentr

As they say ..No guts no glory!!! I was very scared that it would hit the side of the building and shatter. We had to close off the street with police and everything. jejeje

Thanks for your post

Jan

 

[JanVelazquez]

WOW
JAn Good Luck. Can't wait to see more pics as you go....
I myself am setting up a 110 Peninsula , Very small compare to yours..LOL

Where in PR are you ???



Janey

Janey

Thanks for your post.

I have a video I'll posting soon with the lift. I have to edit it a bit though.

Good luck with your project as well. Do you have a thread? Send me a picture.

BTW.. I live in San Juan, have you been here? Where are you from?

Jan

 

[auem]

crane...big tank...highrise..it's all dejavu andytripa...best wishes..looking forward to this build...:thumbsup:

 

[gweston]

Sweet. I am looking forward to see this one come together! I'm tagging along.

I've been to San Juan and all down the north/east coast myself. Been to PR only once, hope to go back one of these days. Spent my b-day with (high octane) sangria, the beach, and great food from a road-side stand.

Looks like an amazing effort to get that tank up there with the crane... but when it all comes together you'll have quite a display going!

 

[luisgo]

Jan mi pana que loquera!!! Wow.

I live in Puero Rico and I remember seen that tank at the Normandie hotel. It was maintained by El Gran Aquarium and it was a fish only tank.

Looking at the crane and what you did something tells me that you are a Fish Geek!! That is how my daugther call me, jeje..

Just to let you know there is an Aquarium Club in Puerto Rico and we have monthly meetings and a forum. You can google it "AMEPR.org" which stands for "Acuaristas Metro Este de Puerto Rico". I you need a local advise and some help just let us know.

Keep posting!!

 

[boozeman]

Wepa Boricua ! :bum:

I'll be following this thread with much interest as I plan to retire to PR in a few more years.
I realize that power outages are less common in SJ than in the rest of the island, but just in case may I suggest some sort of back up source .

 

[JanVelazquez]

crane...big tank...highrise..it's all dejavu andytripa...best wishes..looking forward to this build...:thumbsup:

auem

Thanks.. I'll keep you all posted on the progress.

 

[JanVelazquez]

Sweet. I am looking forward to see this one come together! I'm tagging along.

I've been to San Juan and all down the north/east coast myself. Been to PR only once, hope to go back one of these days. Spent my b-day with (high octane) sangria, the beach, and great food from a road-side stand.

Looks like an amazing effort to get that tank up there with the crane... but when it all comes together you'll have quite a display going!

gweston

You are welcome back anytime. We have a couple of interests ... Sangria and the beach

Well the tank is in my living room/terrace so it's supposed to be the showpiece of the apartment.

I'll put up some more pictures later on.

Thanks again

Jan

 

[JanVelazquez]

Jan mi pana que loquera!!! Wow.

I live in Puero Rico and I remember seen that tank at the Normandie hotel. It was maintained by El Gran Aquarium and it was a fish only tank.

Looking at the crane and what you did something tells me that you are a Fish Geek!! That is how my daugther call me, jeje..

Just to let you know there is an Aquarium Club in Puerto Rico and we have monthly meetings and a forum. You can google it "AMEPR.org" which stands for "Acuaristas Metro Este de Puerto Rico". I you need a local advise and some help just let us know.

Keep posting!!

luisgo

I thought they were maintained by Aquarium Specialties but maybe it was done by both at different times. I know it had a huge Moray Eel.

Thanks for letting me know about the club, I had no idea there was one. I already set aside the next meeting so I can attend.

I saw your post about my post here so thanks again for getting the word out.

I will be dropping by as I do need some advise. I've been away from the hobby for a few years now and it has changed a lot.

Muchas gracias

Jan

 

[JanVelazquez]

Wepa Boricua ! :bum:

I'll be following this thread with much interest as I plan to retire to PR in a few more years.
I realize that power outages are less common in SJ than in the rest of the island, but just in case may I suggest some sort of back up source .

boozeman

I've lived in my apt a little over a year now and I experince a power outage maybe once every two or three months. Still, with such a large tank this was one of my main concerns. My building has a generator but only for the common areas and not for the apartments.

Solution... I bought a Honda Generator EU6500iS (6500 watts, 120/240V
) It does not have a transfer switch so I went ahead and bought an automatic transfer switch and an auto start/stop switch. I have not finished the electrical work. It should be completed in the next couple of weeks.

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/modeldetail.aspx?page=modeldetail&section=P2GG&modelname=EU6500i&modelid=EU6500ISAN

http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=UTS10BI

http://atkinsonelectronics.com/manufacturing/product_pdfs/GSCM-mini.pdf

I plan to have as much as I can automated, even the water changes but this will take some time and a lot of thinking as in this area I'm a perfectionist.

Thanks for your post. Keep em coming.

Regards

Jan