240 Glass Replacing Acrylic Help.

[Tom Toro]

I'm pulling the trigger this year on a 240 glass 8' tank to replace the same size acrylic tank. I'm trying to order from Great Lakes, but was hoping they would deliver to my house.

In case they balk on that, has anybody else used a moving company to deliver a large heavy tank to their house?

Was the price reasonable or insane?

Were they careful with the tank?

Any other suggestions on how to get the tank into the house? My buddies are old like me and don't want to do that kind of lifting anymore.

The tank weighs about 340lbs, 8' long by 2' wide. It has to go into a doorwall and into a hole in the wall (on a stand) where the acrylic tank was. My son and I carried the acrylic tank by ourselves this way, but it was a lot lighter.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Tom

[Tom Toro]

I'm just going on GL's numbers. They said the 220 8' tank weighs 327 so I just spitballed it. Might be closer to 350lbs. They'll know for sure.

[binford4000]

Good luck finding a company to bring down the stairs Tom. If we get enough of us old farts together we can divide it up between us all. On a serious note count me in on the move! We'll just double up the geratall and bring some extra depends lol ! Have you tried two men and a truck ? Those guy's will move anything ! LMK if you need a hand. :oldman:

[slapshot]

You surrendering to the coralline gods, Tom or just looking for a project for Alex? Let me know if I can help.

[AJ :)]

The best answer is to get some reefing buddies here to help you get it done.

LMK when you are thinking of doing it. I have a truck and suction cups. :)

[Tom Toro]

You guys are the greatest, Thanks for the offers! I'm hoping they come back with a quote I can live with.

No stairs Chuck. They can back the truck down the other side of the house and right up to the doorwall. Only about 20' to the stand, straight through. That's how Son and I did the acrylic one, but that was very light.

Yes Don. I give up. You should see it now. Can't even see in. I even went to IO hoping the lower alk/ca/mg would slow it down, but it came back from Carl's scraping with a vengence in no time. I used the Magnavore everyday and it laughed at me.

[jduck]

My 240 Miracles was about 650#. 3/4" all the way around. Took 8 of us to move it.

[AJ :)]

We got a great price from them on a 195 earlier this year. Hopefully they will do you good as well.

[Sir Patrick]

You can count me in. You know when I am available.

[RedfordReefer]

I'd be in to help as well.

6'2", 220lbs. Former Army. I ain't the brightest bulb in the socket, but I can pick things up and put them down pretty good.

[Tom Toro]

Great Lakes Quote came back reasonable, including cutting and delivering. I ordered it and they are going to set it on my stand for me in about 4-6 weeks.

Spoke with Steve and he was generous with his time, answering all my questions. Really looking forward to the new setup and cleaning my glass with a 12" stainless steel paint scraper in 5 minutes or less. I might even keep all four sides clean.

This one is going to be mostly fish, with some of the softies and RBTA's going back in, but that's it. I'm selling off my Huge Sailfins, Mating pair of Huge Clarkiis and Powder Blue Tang. Keeping my 2 Hippo's, coral beauty, damsel and six line and might fill in the blanks with some chromis or a harem of Anthias. I'll do a build thread when it comes in.

Thanks for the offers of help, Guys! I appreciate it.

[binford4000]

Whew that was close !! My back is very happy for you. I'm sure you will do a fantastic job stating it up! If you need anything LMK as always glad to help ya ! A hmm what ya charge for lesson on how to clean the acrylic ?? LMAO seriously what ya going to with the cleaning tools I have cash. :oldman:

[slapshot]

Your a lucky man! Forget the 12 inch blade and get one of these:

https://www.google.com/search?q=easy+blade+algae+scraper&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari

[Tom Toro]

Our back is happy, Chuck! I'll gather up all the equipment I've bought throughout the years and let you know. I know I have the Nova System (2sets I think) and a couple of sets of scratch kits. We can work out a deal that I know you'll like.


Whew that was close !! My back is very happy for you. I'm sure you will do a fantastic job stating it up! If you need anything LMK as always glad to help ya ! A hmm what ya charge for lesson on how to clean the acrylic ?? LMAO seriously what ya going to with the cleaning tools I have cash. :oldman:

[Tom Toro]

Thanks Don! I had one of these and broke it. Worked great and I'll get another one. Thanks for reminding me.

I am getting rid of those mated murdering 3" Clarkiis so I'll be able to put my hands back in the tank to clean.



Your a lucky man! Forget the 12 inch blade and get one of these:

https://www.google.com/search?q=easy+blade+algae+scraper&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari

[Tom Toro]

Ordered the tank from Great Lakes a couple of weeks ago. On October 5th they got the glass and were starting on it early last week. Not sure how long it takes to build, but I'm hoping this or next week to get it. Just waiting on the call from Steve to set up delivery. Gettin' pretty pumped!

Sold my Acrylic last week too. Guy came from Toledo. I couldn't let it go with the front all caked with coralline so I soaked it overnight with vinegar and got it all off. He's gotta do the other three sides, though and has to buff out all the fine scratches like I did when I first got it. I included the scratch kits in the deal (sorry Chuck!).

This is what I have to look at while I wait. Sure hope it comes soon. My anemones aren't looking too good in those tubs.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/IMG565.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/IMG547-1.jpg

[larryandlaura]

Glad you went with a GLA tank from Steve. He makes a great tank at a reasonable price. Cant wait to see the pics when finished.

[Tom Toro]

Glad you went with a GLA tank from Steve. He makes a great tank at a reasonable price. Cant wait to see the pics when finished.

Thanks Larry. Turns out it's done! Just have to pay the balance and get it delivered.

I'm happy I went with them too. Much faster than I thought.

[binford4000]

That's going to be nice for ya Tom. You plumbing the same as the last one? If you need a place for the anemone's LMK. Offer stands on the led's too

[Tom Toro]

Thanks Chuck. Yeah, same plumbing 2x1800gph overflows going into a 3" sewer pipe with a Hammerhead returning it all. Had to glue in a couple of unions to get those pipes off for the install. Basement's pretty trashed right now. Wife is very understanding.

Supposed to be here tomorrow I think.

Thanks for the offers, Buddy. I lost one of 'em, but the others are looking better since I put the sunbrite led on 'em. They weren't liking the Halides. RBTA's don't like high light, I found. The sebae anemone is loving it though. Best I've seen it look in years. I'll have to do some creative light placement.

Speaking of LED's, I got in on a group buy and bought 3 x 120watt bridgelux LED dimmable fixtures. I'll let you know how they do. They're cheap ones, not high class like your's.


That's going to be nice for ya Tom. You plumbing the same as the last one? If you need a place for the anemone's LMK. Offer stands on the led's too

[binford4000]

Sounds good ! Looking forward to seeing the finished product ! :oldman: