Got my new 200g tank! ...didn't measure the height of the hallway...

smartwater101

smartwater101

New member
The 200g I designed ( 96 x 24 x 20 )was delivered this weekend. Been excited to upgrade from my 90g And my day was soon shattered once I realized I forgot to measure a 1 thing... 1 MAJOR thing.

Unfortunately the hallway ceiling is only about 97 inches tall. I don't know why I hadn't thought of tank length from corner to corner. :/ If my math is correct, the tank is almost 99" corner-to-corner... so about 3" needs to be cut off in order to clear the ceiling. say 4, or even 5" just to be safe?

Really frustrating because I've waited and now It will take even longer to get the tank modified (and hopefully doesn't cost an arm and a leg). Renting a crane for the second floor is too costly so I think cutting it down is the only option.

So remember everyone: MAKE SURE THE TANK CAN ACTUALLY FIT THROUGH THE DOOR!

le sigh
 
It may be easier to cut a hole in the ceiling, and patch it up. If you can find a space that doesn't have wood behind it, and are good with using your hands, you can patch it up in less than half a day and about $50 worth of materials. Probably quicker and cheaper than modifying your tank.

Of course, this all depends on the house, building materials, etc...

Best of luck!!!
 
Why do you have to move it in standing on edge?

Or you can find a roofer with one of those dump trucks that the bed lifts up two stories and throw him a little cash to help you out. Load it into the bed, lift it to the window, then push it in.
 
probablby because most corners wont allow an eight foot tank to pass horizontal. Not many houses do. Same reason i couldnt get my eight footer inside and had to go 7 foot
 
The tank HAS to be moved in standing on end. Just the way the hall/doorway is. Unfortunately my only option is to have a new tank built (since slicing this one down will hurt the overall integrity)

Expensive lesson learned. I am selling this tank if anyone is interested. (Los Angeles: Studio City)

Its a beautiful tank. Very stupid and unfortunate mistake on my part. :/ :/


I1rWySG.jpg


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I would consider cutting a hole in the wall opposite of the stairs. The ceiling above the wall probably has a load bearing beam running thru it.
 
Jasanden said:
I would consider cutting a hole in the wall opposite of the stairs. The ceiling above the wall probably has a load bearing beam running thru it.
Click to expand...

Agree

Is there no window in the room the tank is going into? Pop one out if there is... save a lot of headache.
 
Rea17 said:
Agree

Is there no window in the room the tank is going into? Pop one out if there is... save a lot of headache.
Click to expand...


This is not an option. The only option is crane (too expensive) or cutting the tank, or just building a new one. Cutting holes in the walls will not help, only cutting the ceiling would.... and that can't be done. (If I could I absolutely would)
 
Stupid question...
Have you considered the lean from vertical to horizontal to get it in the door of the room it will reside in also?
What if the 2nd tank gets down the hallway, but can't tilt into a standard 6'-8" doorway once you're in front of it.
A 2nd tank because of the ceiling height is an expensive PITA, but having to build a 3rd tank due to the final door jam would really suck...

Maybe a full-size mock-up out of a 1x2 frame is in order, just to walk down the delivery path and work out all the bugs? Would be a cheap, quick, safety check before you go any further.
Just sayin'...
 
Why would you need a crane to lift it? I would think a telescoping forklift would do the job and cost far less than a crane or new tank.

Just a thought.
 
GoldeneyeRet said:
or even a scissor lift...
Click to expand...


I'm at the back of the building. But I think a scissor lift would be the way to go. Hell of a lot cheaper than any of the alternatives!

Here is a scale model of the hallway I have to get through. In this example the tank is only 91" long... which means from corner-to-corner its no more than 94" and can be swung through the door. The current tank can't be angled like this.

vgtcWHw.gif
 
Your model doesn't take dollies into account.
What's the weight? Can a couple people SLIDE the tankup the stairs, down the hallway, and into position in front of the doorway without damage to the tank/injury to the movers?
If not, then you need to assume some height for the roller/dollie.
 
PhantomAce said:
Your model doesn't take dollies into account.
What's the weight? Can a couple people SLIDE the tankup the stairs, down the hallway, and into position in front of the doorway without damage to the tank/injury to the movers?
If not, then you need to assume some height for the roller/dollie.
Click to expand...

No dollies would be needed. Two of us already moved the current tank up the stairs and into position before we realized there wasn't enough clearance to rotate it.
 
Cut the wall or ceiling and patch it up. Don't sell the tank. You can find a contractor and have him remove and repair it in a few days time. Try that.
 
You can get it all the way up except for the last step?
Heck, I'd be modifying the door-frame to get it in then...
Double-door upgrade maybe?
 
2X4 construction? Removing a door and some studs is not really too difficult. If you are not able to do that yourself, any good handy man should be able to.

I would think it would still be far cheaper than the new tank, and make a waaay cooler story once the tank is running!

Best of luck.
 
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