Decisions have been made, time to start planning, need help and info

[stlouisguy]

Wife and I have come to the decision that we are going to stay put in our house for the next 4-5 years, so I am going to move forward on the large tank I have been wanting for the last year.

Tank I want is 96" X 36" x 30". Should I go acrylic or glass IYO? I have never had an acrylic tank and heard they scratch very easily and I like to use the magnet cleaners on my tank, is that still possible?

I will be having a small fish room behind the tank as the tank will be inwall with the front and left side for viewing. How should I handle the humidity issue?

I need numbers to get quotes for the following. If anyone can do any of these services in exchange for coral let me know:

Carpenter to move doorway to fish room, rebuild wall and cut and finish opening for the tank.

Need my surround sound and cable wires moved as they are on the wall where the opening will go

Electrician to run enough outlets for the room

Ideas on how to handle the stand, build a wood one or have a metal frabricated

Equipment and such I will be picking up as it comes available. I will be transfering most of my rock but will be getting rid of some of my rock that is covered in GSP, yellow polops, zoos, etc.

Another questions, should I get the tank first, or go ahead and cut the wall to get ready for the tank. When it is delivered I want to place it in place immediately.

I want to use tunzes for circulation as I dont like closed loop, and am thinking rear external overflow.

Thats about it for now. Ideas or suggestions welcome as I will be ordering my tank from somewhere by end of Aug.

Thanks all

Clark

 

[JxMetal]

Well.......I'm not too handy right now. But I can sure do a heck of a job watching!

I can probably cut wood and nail things together if you need one of those guys.

 

[rams]

Jeez another big one. Somebody should start a thread of how many tanks and water volume of each, to see how much saltwater is in Saint Louis. Something to be proud of!

 

[chadscamaro]

A glass tank that size would be super heavy and might not be able to get move it in your house without a forklift ? You can use a magfloat on acrylic,just be more careful. Acrylic scratches easier,but also it ios easier to remove the scratches.

 

[stlouisguy]

I think I will go with acrylic because of the weight and ability to move it someday. I dont think a glass would be able to be muscled into the basement, even though it is a walkout.

I know Art makes great tanks, is there anywhere else I should check out? I heard he doesnt deal direct with the public anymore, is that true?

 

[Reggae Fish]

The price of that tank with be much higher with going with 96"...If I'm not mistaken, the acrylic comes in 8 ft.

I don't think ART deals with individuals...I think Beldt's, GWA, and (I think) MS

 

[stlouisguy]

isnt 96" = 8ft ? I want an 8 ft tank.

I know which stores deal with Art, I just dont want to pay a couple hundred dollars for a phone call and placing an order

 

[Reggae Fish]

Ignore me...It's early

 

[Nanook]

I know there are a lot of ART fans in this area and his tanks do look pretty nice. However, I think the tanks that James at Envision Acrylics are the nicest acrylic tanks on the market. His work trumps all others that I have seen in workmanship and his customer service is excellent.

With www.envisionacrylics.com you are dealing directly with one person, James the owner, no middlemen. His price will probably be more than ART and you will have to pay to have it shipped here, but there will be no sales tax. Considering the tank will be up for years to come (hopefully), you might consider looking into his tanks...Griss has one locally and there are MANY other RC people that own his tanks.

FWIW,

Dave


P.S...No way in hell would I own an acrylic tank.

 

[stlouisguy]

LOL why not acrylic? Because of the scratching or other issues? Also you still have that big ole skimmer sitting around???

 

[Nanook]

Acrylic is a PIA to deal with because of the "loving touch" it requires to prevent scratches. The skimmer sold a few months back to a lucky guy.

dave

 

[Dert42]

they make magfloats just for acrylic. they don't scratch it at all.
although scratches can be buffed out in acrylic, in my very limited experience... it's not worth it. unless they are fine ones, they come out easy, the nasty ones take FOREVAR!

 

[Letmegrow]

The Wookie weilds a heavy hand.

If you go glass do low-iron. They will likely want to euro brace a glass tank and I have yet to see one eurobraced glass tank where they made it look good. I just think any custom glass tanks look shotty as heck when it comes to finish work. The panels look okay, but the trim and seams, yuk.

Glass cages has the ugliest tanks I have ever seen.

I am pro-acrylic.

 

[Spiffyguy]

I have been plotting a larger tank and the glass/acrylic question has been floating in my mind. I buddy of mine has a 36x36 tank that is acrylic. I was tank sitting and I really started to study the tank. Too many scratches. I think I will go glass.

 

[Dert42]

either way make sure the size you want will be able to physically get into the room where you want it. without taking out a window for example

 

[stlouisguy]

No problem on getting it in, as the walkout has sliding door that can be taken out.

What is the cost differance in glass vs acrylic?

 

[inwall75]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7809309#post7809309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanook
With www.envisionacrylics.com you are dealing directly with one person, James the owner, no middlemen. His price will probably be more than ART and you will have to pay to have it shipped here, but there will be no sales tax. Considering the tank will be up for years to come (hopefully), you might consider looking into his tanks...Griss has one locally and there are MANY other RC people that own his tanks.

At the Boston MACNA I got to hang out with James a bit. He is a real nice guy and does quality work. At the time, he was putting Jellyfish kriesels into the Atlanta Aquarium and I got to hear some the private inside info.

I second Dave's recommendation that he is at least checked out.