800 gallon tank

[Acrylics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8593567#post8593567 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by polywise
Acrylics,

I have a three car garage that is adjacent to my dining room. I only use two of the three, so, I was thinking about adding a nice set of french doors on the wall that would open up into the adjacent garage, and making a room in there - taking advantage of the support of the concrete floor and enough space all around for good four sided viewing.

Good idea

What happens if Acrylic is exposed to freezing temps? I only deal with thermoplastics in my type of business. Point of Purchace display injection molding.

Depends on how much mosture there is in the material. Normally, acrylic contracts in cold temps. If the material freezes *and* there is a good amount of moisture in the material, the material will be contracting but when the moisture freezes - it expands, this expansion *can* degrade the material from the inside out. To be honest, I have never had this problem but have heard of it on a few occasions so can't say with a high degree of certainty that it *will* be an issue but I'd err on the side of caution.
A simple space heater will go a long way in helping eliminate this possibility. Simply being exposed to freezing temps is usually not an issue but the material itself freezing *can* be.
BTW acrylic is a thermoplastic in which heat and conversely - cold can be problematic, similar to ABS, polycarb, etc.

HTH,
James

 

[polywise]

SunnyX,
my current set up (280 euro braced glass reef tank) consists of 4 400w 20k MH, 4 VHO atinic, 2 1 hp chillers, 2 dolphin 1 hp pumps, 1 iwaki 100rlt, etss100 skimmer, pro-cal reactor. 600 pounds of live rock, 200 pounds of live sand -- a bunch of fish, shrimp, crabs, snails, softies, and an attempt at some hard corals. Once it is started you can't look back --- it is a hobby, and gives peace of mind to look at.

James, I know acrylic is hydroscopic, but I thought sheet stock would be different, due to the way it is produced extrusion rolled or cast right?

 

[Acrylics]

They are different but not that much. Cell cast will absorb ~1% water (by weight) and extruded about 60% more - ~1.6% by weight. Of course this takes time (12 week submersion) and will also dry out (to a point) in time so the instances I have known of could be of saturated material - can't say. In any event, I would still err on the side of caution esp with something that will hold ~8000-10000lbs of water, sand, and rock.

Soooo, did ya get it?

James

 

[thor32766]

yeah jump on that!

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8595695#post8595695 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by polywise
SunnyX,
my current set up (280 euro braced glass reef tank) consists of 4 400w 20k MH, 4 VHO atinic, 2 1 hp chillers, 2 dolphin 1 hp pumps, 1 iwaki 100rlt, etss100 skimmer, pro-cal reactor. 600 pounds of live rock, 200 pounds of live sand -- a bunch of fish, shrimp, crabs, snails, softies, and an attempt at some hard corals. Once it is started you can't look back --- it is a hobby, and gives peace of mind to look at.

James, I know acrylic is hydroscopic, but I thought sheet stock would be different, due to the way it is produced extrusion rolled or cast right?

I was talking about the cost of the tank itself, not the entire system. Trust me I know about all the crazy costs that come with a large tank. I plan on my next tank being 1000gl-1200gl.

 

[jacmyoung]

After four different tanks, I have learned one thing, do not compromise on the tank selection, get the one that is precisely a good fit for your specific location and taste, because the energy and cost that come after the initial tank purchase easily dwarf the $1k or $2k you may save. If this tank is the ideal setup for your home and your plan, go for it, but don't buy it just because it is a good deal then try to justify how it can fit in your surroundings. You will end up spending a lot more just to make it work right for you, and you may never be totally satisfied simply because it was not custom made for you.

Again if it is indeed the ideal setup you have been looking for then go for it, even if it costs $3k.

 

[polywise]

jacmyoung,

good piont !

 

[mogley1]

Polywise,
If your not going to buy this tank would you be willing to say where it is?

 

[factorytrooper]

Sorry if this bothers anyone but I saw that tank in person. Its at A & A Aquatics The Aquarium Warehouse ; 2143 State Route 4, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. For $2000 it is a steal. I don't like the people that run the place but it looks good. He was trying to sell it with the sump and everything before. Make sure he includes everything for that price. There is also a loading dock if i remember corectly so pickup isn't that bad.

 

[jacmyoung]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8598533#post8598533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by polywise
jacmyoung,

good piont !

I am glad you see my point, and I am sure some have different view on this.

One other thing. Many times we try to justify odd purchases thinking since they are great steals the worst can happen is sell and make a profit. Again I have done so and it never worked.

Unless you are buying a very standard product (which is almost never the case when it comes to reef tanks, much less custom tanks), otherwise the ONLY reason another person will be interested in your tank is if he thinks it is a greater steal.

There are certainly time when the deal is perfect, in that case I will try a hard bargain because it is unlikely he can find another buyer ever. Just able to clear out some room for the buyer is doing him a big favor

 

[polywise]

factorytrooper,
your a deal blower ---- why the hell would you give that info out ? It is kind of confidential. Now I will most likly have no negotiating ability with the owner, as some of this threads readers will give the guy a call. Please go back to where you came from:mad2:

 

[Ken Sellick]

Saving a few bucks

Saving a few bucks

The tank is such a small part of the investment in the entire system. Ok so you get this tank for 2 grand. If it is not the size you are willing to commit to you are throwing your money away.

The hardware alone for a tank of that size can easily cost 5 to 10 grand depending on the type of system you are setting up.

With that size tank I would have a back-up generator in the budget.

Look at your maintenance costs for such a system (power).

If all that stuff looks good then go for it.

The tank is the cheapest part of larger set-ups.

 

[blufyre3]

I'm sure some others can attest to some numbers for you but I'll throw some out there. My tank is a 330 that measures 96x36x24. I have 1000 lbs of live sand and about 700 lbs of live rock. You can cost that one out. I have 5 Current Outer Orbit lights for a complete sunrise and sunset, A Shorty compact skimmer with aquamedic ozone, a 5-stage RO/DI with a 60 gal water holding tank for changes (it has a heater and a pump), 2 UV ster. units, a kalk reactor, 150 sump (if full), 30 gal. Q-tank fully operational with all necessary equipment, and an AquaController III. I'm sure you have an equipment list and have researched with large systems all the requirements I just wanted to give you an idea. The electrical runs about $150.00, salt,, food, water tests, etc. average another $100-150. It's worth it but, do your research. It's a great deal at $2000.00 and you have a room for it if you cut out of your dining room. Good luck, we wouldn't trade ours for the world.

 

[polywise]

Ken Sellick,
I know, I just didn't want any negotiating for the tank to get screwed up by others interest as well.

As for the system, if I go for it, I will definately have a generator in the plans. I have natural gas service to my house, so it will be a smoother install, with no wories of how long the power would be out. I lost a heavily stocked system with an early spring storm 97 when the power was down for about a week.

 

[polywise]

blufyre3,
I am not intending on using space in the dining room I was going to open up doors into a room that I would create in the garage adjacent to the dining room. We alsao use the dining room alot, and wouldn't want to loose the use of it.

 

[blufyre3]

Oh yea, Polywise. If you want to not have egg on your face just show her your homework. It's not an impulse if properly planned. Anything after the intial purchase.....well.........some of those are impulsive. Your current system sounds great. Does she dig in and help?

 

[blufyre3]

I understood the room being in the garage. It works great. Mine is in the basement so I can make messes and not ruin anything. It's framed in the wall with a life support room behind it. I just meant that you would be enclosing it in it's own room. It adds to the enjoyment. We spend alot of time in those two rooms.

 

[jacmyoung]

Or go FO that will cut back on maintenance costs by a lot, and if done right will look just as good. I have recently migrated from reef to FO but with faux coral to closely resemble a natural reef, with encouraging results. While still not there yet if I ever do a large tank again will probably try to improve the faux coral design at that point.

Jim, this is likely off mark but if you convert part of your garage to a viewing room, might be able to harvest natural sunlight using tubular ceiling lights, I have seen a few members do that.

 

[polywise]

jacmyoung,
Hmmm -- interesting thought. I have two fake gables on the side of garage roof thats on the side that I am thinking about doing the project they face south, one of them would be directly over the center of the tank, I wonder if I could create a fancy mirrored chute telescoping down directly to the tank to aid with the lighting? Any links to previous similar lighting?

blufyre3,
My wife and son love the tank. It is at my office, and they only come down to visit once in a while.

 

[Sold4JC]

I wouldn't worry about someone stealing the tank from you. Talk is cheap and 2,000 is a lot for many around Christmas time. You could ask your wife for a 800 gallon tank for Christmass. Say that it is all you want for Christmass.