How to get a big tank in the house?

[Outerbank]

Sounds silly, but I am in the early planning stage for a new tank. If I go rectangle on the tank, I want it 36 inches deep front to back. That is too wide for many doors. I may also go with a very large 1/4 cyclinder corner tank that would be 60 inches on the sides, 84 inches in the front, and 36 inches deep. I really want this 1/4 cyclinder if I can make the top opening work for proper lighting. However, I may need side by side fancy front doors or a sliding glass door to a porch. My wife would like those front doors, but I haven't noticed them on a many of the new houses we are looking at, especially the one on the top of our list.

Lastly, any experiences with 4fishtank.com? This is the webpage and tank I am thinking about http://www.4fishtank.com/ov_corner.htm

 

[stlouisguy]

Double opening french doors to the patio?

 

[nyvp]

my wife still thinks my new set of impact double front doors was done for her.......shhhh don't tell

 

[steve the plumb]

You can flip the tank sideways thats how I got mine into my basement.My tank is 8ft x 30x 24 so I just flipped the tank around.I had 30" in between my door so rather than scratch anything I flipped it sideways.You can always take out the windows and bring it inside that way.If you are planning on building a new home you can place the tank inside while the house is being built.I would have the tank covered and crated and have it on a dolly(wooden one with wheels) this way if it needs to be moved you can move it.I don't know witch room you want it in.I would go that route if you decide to build a home.I would also install drain line to keep a sump in the basement away from the display tank.This makes things more simple.

 

[Outerbank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10916360#post10916360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steve the plumb
You can flip the tank sideways thats how I got mine into my basement.My tank is 8ft x 30x 24 so I just flipped the tank around.I had 30" in between my door so rather than scratch anything I flipped it sideways.You can always take out the windows and bring it inside that way.If you are planning on building a new home you can place the tank inside while the house is being built.I would have the tank covered and crated and have it on a dolly(wooden one with wheels) this way if it needs to be moved you can move it.I don't know witch room you want it in.I would go that route if you decide to build a home.I would also install drain line to keep a sump in the basement away from the display tank.This makes things more simple.

Those are great ideas. I would like a tank room with a floor drain and faucet. That would make water changes simple as I could have a valve on the sump to empty tank water into the floor drain and have premixed water emptied directly into the sump via another valve. However, at this point, I think we will be stuck purchasing an existing home.

Funny, I didn't think of laying the tank on its side! Da! Even with a 5 foot radius, the 1/4 cyclnder would only need 36-37 inches to clear, so I will check all the doors. Man, I am getting excited about a 440 gallon 1/4 cyclinder corner tank. I may have a thread in the future asking for input on setting it up. I called the company and they said the 1/4 cyclinder would only have 3 inch euro bracing around it. I find that a little hard to believe, but he said the top opening will be very large. I may have to fly out to their warehouse and check out their tanks. With the large 1/4 cyclinder, I would have to decide if I want a gigantic ritori as the main piece or keep my sps corals! I am getting too excited. A large ritori in the center with several pairs of clowns and a large gigas clam on the bottom! A pair of moorish idols and regal angels would be nice too! My last gigas was about 20 incehes wide before I gave it to my buddy to keep in his 400.

 

[steve the plumb]

I would look at removing the front windows to bring it in.Another thing to consider is where do you want this tank?You are looking at 4000 pounds I would put it in the basement.If not you will have to do some modifications to the floor joists.That amount of weight will kill your floor.I have an old home with solid beams but I wouldn't place my tank on the main floor.For one I don't have the room,two my wife wouldn't let me,Three I would have to do something about the floor due to the weight of the tank.Water spills is another concern it will happen no matter how care full you are.I also like a separate sump room for the reason of work space.I don't know how many times I cursed because I had to stick my head underneath my cabinet.My knew setup is great for that.My buddy came over today and thats one thing he liked about having the sump separate from the tank.You don't have to be a contortionist to get at your equipment.I don't think I could ever go back to a crowded in stand sump.

 

[Outerbank]

Steve, we don't have basements, so the slab will be the floor below the tank. I will likely place it on a tile floor. I may need to buy weight bearing tile like the type I hear is used in driveways. However, I wonder if I should also have a thin piece of compressable foam on the part of the stand that contacts the tile to allow for better distribution of weight. The house will have a formal living area and a second, more relaxed TV room overlooking the backyard next to the kitchen. I want to put the tank in the tv/relaxation room.

 

[steve the plumb]

If its on concrete then you are fine.You can always get a steel stand with adjustable feet.If the stand is level you don't need foam.The tank needs to be on a level surface this way all weight is transfered evenly.I didn't use foam for mine.I did notice that because its on carpet my carpet did sink in a bit but the tank is still level.I don't foresee a problem if your floor is solid.You can use regular tiles.Tiles that crack do so because A: the tiles were very cheap,but that doesn't happen to often B:the floor isn't level and if the house shifts the tile can crack C:The tile guy didn't use enough glue.Tiles that are stuck on plywood floors are more likely to crack then ones glued onto cement floors.Because the cement is stronger and heavier it doesn't shift as easy.Plus when you step on a tiled (plywood floor) if the floor isn't screwed in properly and it shifts the tile can crack.I have seen this happen in peoples homes when they use a guy that doesn't know what he is doing.If you have a solid floor its pretty hard for you to screw up a tile installation.Even if you do it yourself as long as you level the tiles and use a good glue(or cement) to stick them on you should be fine.

 

[David MC Lee]

Here is how I did mine.
<img src=http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u316/ocean_front_view/DavidLee-7-4-07060.jpg>

<img src=http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u316/ocean_front_view/DavidLee-7-4-07145.jpg>

<img src=http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u316/ocean_front_view/DavidLee-7-4-07170.jpg>

 

[Outerbank]

LOL!!! Some of these tanks are so large it might be easier to lift the house!

 

[melev]

Where in Texas are you located?

Typically the front and back door of homes are built with 36" wide openings so as to be able to bring in refrigerators, stoves, ovens, washers & dryers. Worst case senario, you remove the entire door and frame, then place them back into the studs and retrim the casing.

 

[Outerbank]

Marc, I live in Tyler. I lived in Corpus for 10years before moving here. You spoke at the Tyler reef club about sumps almost 1 year ago and my wife and I briefly met you then.

Scott

 

[pmjfuture]

i think removing a window may be best way to go.

 

[melev]

Then it is nice to know who you are, especially when we met that once. What does your username mean? How's your club doing?

You've definitely got high goals getting a corner round tank that holds 440 gallons!

 

[Outerbank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10922127#post10922127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Then it is nice to know who you are, especially when we met that once. What does your username mean? How's your club doing?

You've definitely got high goals getting a corner round tank that holds 440 gallons!

Marc, I haven't been to the club meetings for awhile. I just seem to forget or be out of town. The username is old. I had heard it before, but did not know it refers to the outerbanks of North Carolina. I have never been there. At first I thought the outerbanks were the drop off at the continental shelf. I was wrong, LOL, but the name has stuck.