Aquarium too big to get out of basement!!

[pvan]

Hi.

I just bought a house with an approximately 550 gallon Clarity Plus aquarium (approx 72"W x 48"H x 36"D) 1" thick acrylic in the basement.

Unfortunately, I do not have the time or money to maintain it properly.

I managed to get in touch with the builder of the house (who had the tank originally installed several years ago). He cautioned me against trying to get the tank out of the basement in one piece. He said he brought it down with 11 guys and before the walls were finished.

Questions...
Does an aquarium have any value if it is dismantled (so that it can be removed)? Any suggestions on who might be interested in such a project?

(or) If I leave it empty for some period of time... until I have more time and money (-: ... or at least until my boys are older and can take up as a hobby... will this compromise the integrity of the tank in any way?

Any expertise really appreciated!

 

[BenjieC]

Well you can't take apart an acrylic tank w/o destroying it, so your options are to measure openings to see if you can squeeze it out or wait and fill'er up. Good Luck!

 

[RobTop]

That's a BIG tank.
If you can't get it out and don't have the time/money to do a reef or salt, Consider freshwater. Lots of cool stuff there and much easier and cheaper than reef/salt. Otherwise it would make a nice indoor pool for the boys

 

[mm949]

u can probably remove the floor, joist, subfloor, and hopefully carpet above the tank and hoist it out....otherwise break out the saw.....im sure the OT crew would love to help...lol

 

[Caragol]

You're going to have to sell your house, I'm sorry. Either that or I vote an indoor pond. You could get some turtles cheaply or free on craigslist, and grab the rest from a local pond while nobody's looking. in there and run it on the cheap.

 

[canar]

thats a tall aquarium.

What a problem to have..................

 

[menard]

Option 1..........U could open the wall one more time, pull the tank out and seal the wall back.
Or turn that into Malawi biotope ,its cheaper....African Chiclids are very nice and colorfull and that tank is perfect for that set up, find some lrg. drifwood, rocks at the quaery ( man thats perfect ). Man my imagination just keeps on tickin, cant help myself'

 

[menard]

LOOK!

Or LOST ATLANTIS w/ freshwater STINGRAYS..Awesome!!

 

[steri]

If you wanted to keep the tank, with it being empty for a few years, and then set it up all over again, that should not compromise the integrity of the tank in any way that I am aware of. You may need to replace some of the smaller things as time wears on (powerheads, ect), but the tank itself and any sumps or whatever should be just fine. People store unused stuff in there houses for years sometimes. Good luck.

I agree with others though. Once you take apart an acrylic tank, it's worthless. But you may be able to use the peices for hockey boards or something

 

[seachel71]

What an incredible problem! Wish it was mine. I agree with the set up fresh water. They are easy and most of the stuff is pretty cheap. You can still enjoy the tank until you can afford the salt stuff.

 

[NewKid630]

Those dimensions will never clear the door frame. If you want to remove it you will have to remove all doors and door framing prior to getting it out.

If it were me I would just sit on it and use it when youre ready.

 

[BlakDuc]

Why not just take out a 2nd mortgage?

 

[badazztealcobra]

Im sure if you wanted to give it to someone thats mechanically inclined they could get it out and repair your walls.... I know Id buy you new paint and drywall and fix it all for the price of the tank....

 

[bignick]

Is the tank too tall?

If so just lay it on its side on the floor get a circular saw and and hack off like 8-10". If that won't work just cut it up and remove it.

 

[flapjack1439]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10411333#post10411333 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by menard
LOOK!

Or LOST ATLANTIS w/ freshwater STINGRAYS..Awesome!!

I like this idea. You don't even need water. You can put anything in that tank and with the lighting it looks artsy.

 

[bryanth73]

WHERE ARE YOU AT I MIGHT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT IT

 

[skunkmere]

you could get lizards, or a terrarium of carnivourous plants.

 

[Noise]

I vote stingrays too.

If not I have some yellow labidochromis you can have, or I can get you hooked up with convict cichlids.

 

[jdhanover]

Measure the door frame including and space on the side of the frame. Might be able to squeeze 36" through it and then just have to repair the door area. That shouldn't be too bad for a handy carpenter. Absent that, I think it'd be a major project.

 

[phil5613]

Where are you located and when do you want the tank out?