540 gallon tank

Contacted Tenecor in Az. www.aquariumsforyou.com and Miraclesaquariums.com in Canada. There is also a group of tank builders that left Oceanic that started there own company that builds bigger tanks, fellow in Carolina is looking for there number for me. I figured the weight had to be about 1,200 lbs for a 540 gal glass tank. I am purchasing all equiptment based on a 500 gal tank which seems to be easier than finding the tank >>>>>>
I may step down to a 430 gallon 30 inch height so I can reach the sand bottom ?? not sure ??
 
>> Not sure I would have the patience to clean the inside and have to be so careful.... I also have dogs that like to jump up and say hellow to a few fish >>>>
 
it is 1" acrylic...
It was also very heavy even for the 5 people we had. im gonna try to take some picutres on thrusday for this thread to give everyone a better idea of what is going on here!
 
Free hole drilling.. This tank that Woody and I are working out has 18 holes to be drilled.. Crazy.... That alone would have cost alot... You figure, other companys like glasscages, or what ever. They charge 20.00 or more per hole, for me that would be around 360.00 just in stupid holes..
 
Holes

Holes

Ok I have decided to go with www.miraclesaquariums.com in Canada for my 540 glass tank. Aquarium for you went out of business and the name and equiptment was bought out dont think the people who built the tanks are still there..... K talking about holes ??? I am ordering the tank this week, Here is my question I am just having them drill the standard overflow holes. I was thinking about a DRAIN hole to be drilled for when I need to do the 100 gal water change. But he is suggestng is to insert a Pipe that stops 7 inches from the water line. I dont think I like this idea for two reasons. 1) I have a Gray tube sticking up outside the overflow box (not what i want to see) 2) If there is ever a leak problem I would have to drain the tank all the way to fix it. DOES anyone have any suggestions how MY LIFE could be made simplier in making the 100 gal changes other than just sticking a hose in the top and pumping the water out..... This is my one chance to do it properly. OH YA did I say I live in South Fla. NO BASEMENTS, just a outside wall I can drill through while wife is out. :confused: :confused: :confused:
 
leaks

leaks

my biggest worry is leaks, acrylic isnt suppose to, glass eventualy does, glass doesnt scratch as easy but there are compounds that take scratches out of acrylic and I dont think theres anything for glass scratches
 
Glass all the way IMO.. I Hate scratches.. If you buy an acrylic tank.. You will scratch it.. Its not If its just when.. Ive never seen a acrylic tank thats been going for more then 6 months without atleast a couple scratches.. My 190 after 3 years has one scratch.. That was done the day I set it up lol. Its a very small one on the top of the tank. Stupid belt..

Why not just install a drain in your sump? With a 540 Im sure you will have a very large sump. I wouldnt worry with a bulkhead in your display just for water changes.. If you wanted a closed loop and just put a T on the drain that would be different.
 
redfisher,
"DOES anyone have any suggestions how MY LIFE could be made simplier"
Yes - Drill that hole you want on the side wall of your over flow(less visible), at the height you feel you want, and put a flat screen over it to prevent critters from getting in there. Put a ball valve uner the stand, or near the sink you are planning on dumping into = easy water removal.
 
Thanks for your suggestions for water draining. My sump will be big enough for 100 gallon water changes if I dont go with a refugium inside the sump. I was thinking of a seperate refugium anyway. Also the extra bulk head in the side of the overflow is also a good Idea. I will have to see how much bigger the overflow boxes will have to be. ( I will have to make them both the same size). OK GLass Vs. Acrylic..... Here is my conclusion. I an 5 foot 5 so I stand on a stool to place my new coral pieces in or pick up the ones that a tempermental Blue tang bumps off. So I have my arm in my tank at least once a week. Here is where the 5 foot 5 come in. I am sure when I lean over to pick up or move something my Belt WILL scratch the display (GOOD CALL 8BALL) Openings in the top of acrylic tanks are smaller than in a Glass tanks. Next I like to clean my display 2 to 3 times a week usually when I get home from work to unwind. I get my float magnet and just go to town for about 10 to 15 minutes. With a 36 inch height and the roll over tops that acrylic have. There is no way my arm will reach SO I will only be able to clean the botton of the front display with a float magnet cleaner or a stick cleaner. I KNOW i will pick up a piece or 10 of sand when I am trying to get that area cleaned between the gravel and the glass meet. So Basically with acrylic I will not be able to clean that area so well with out probably scratching it. inside scrates are not so noticable I have been told until Algae starts to grow in them then LOOOOK out Big Ugly..... Lastly Lighting I have been told I will probably have to go with 400W MH for two reasons 1) 36 wide which will cause me to place them high enough to get a good spread from front to back probably 12 inches or so from the water line. 2) 36 deep NEED the Big boy to get light down deep. Also MH I heard if placed to close can actually melt the Acrylic or at best will cause the Acrylic to chalk up and become cloudy.... In closing I am going with a Basic rectangle design with 3/4 inch starfire glass, If made well it will not leak. I am not planning on Moving this tank unless I move out of the house, and I plan on purchasing the metal stand from the Tank MFG. The MFG I chose has been making large tanks for 20+ years in Canada. I could of chosen a Local MFG here in Miami or go with Glass Cages and pay much less But I would be rolling Dice.. about 540 dice.... I will be spending a lot for all the Toys that will be going into the tank SO I will spend more up front and get the Toys I want later down the line. Well maybe much later down the line..... All my tanks have been Glass and they have been good to me. So after typing all of this I have decided to Call the Glass MFG today and order it.::D Thanks agian for your input it did help me make a final decision....
 
I don't think your overflow will be anywhere near big enough.. Now what you might could do is drain the sump and your overflows to get the 100g..

Sounds good to me.. I agree 100%. I buy great tanks and good to ok equipment.. Why anyone buys bottom dollar tanks and then load them up with high end equipment and coral seems funny to me.. If the tank fails then its all for not.

I'm just not a fan of acrylic tanks.. They are super clear when new though. I hate the scratches and how much more time it takes to clean them.. The little port holes in the top for access is a joke.. I think you will be very happy with your Miracles in Glass tank!
 
8BALL_99,
I did not mean to drain the actual water in the overflow, I meant put a bulk head in at the level in hte tank that would drain 100 gallons from the tank, and go through the floor in the overflow with teh pipe to drain the tank.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13223266#post13223266 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by polywise
8BALL_99,
I did not mean to drain the actual water in the overflow, I meant put a bulk head in at the level in hte tank that would drain 100 gallons from the tank, and go through the floor in the overflow with teh pipe to drain the tank.
Click to expand...

Thats not a bad idea. Only issue with that would be and easy way to open the bulkhead when it was time to do a water change. Guess if the overflow was wide enough you could stick a ball valve in it. You wouldn't want to leave it open all the time cause it would cut down on surface skimming and if your standpipe ever leaked it could drain the tank down to the bulkhead. I think it would be a good idea though. If the bulkhead in the tank every leaked or needed replaced you could do so without draining the tank down below it.
 
The ball valve would be below the tank not actually in the overflow. I see his point and I think its a valid one. I may do the same on my tank. Good idea!
 
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