Tanks, Sumps & Refugiums 400 gallon or bust!! [Archive]

graphixx

10-18-2006, 06:56 PM

Well I got the new 180 up and looking beautiful and then his little gem fell into my lap. I got wind that another doctor is looking to get rid of his tank (I bought another doctors tank a couple years back) I call the guy and sure enough its true. I go to his office and see what he's got. well its a beauty. he says its 400 gallons but I didnt have a tape to measure but its gotta be close its approx 5.5 to 6 foot across 24 to 30 inches front to back and at least 48 inches deep. custom stand and canopy with 50 gallon sump/fuge with asm skimmer. lighting is 4x400 watt MH with 4 t5's. its pretty neglected actually, very little coral various zoos and softies. The fish are 2 purple tangs,2 yellow tangs, clown,flame angel. school of chromis and the most beautiful majestic angel I have seen!!!! (not sure how she would do in a reef) now for the beauty of the deal THE PRICE......................$1500.00 Now all I have to do is schedule a time to pick it up and transport it. should be middle of next week!!!! I have pics but my attachement manager is full I will post them as soon as Dave gets it squared away!!!!!

lReef lKeeper

10-18-2006, 08:18 PM

sweeeet !!!!! and everyone around here say that i get all the good deals. they obviously dont pay attention to your posts !! lol wish i could find that kind of deal !!

perpetual98

10-18-2006, 08:26 PM

*cough* You suck *cough*

graphixx

10-18-2006, 08:27 PM

wait till you see the pics. granted that the tank is in a serious state of neglect right now. but when I get it. OOOHHHH BOY is it gonna be pretty!!!!! hoping to have my attachment snafu rectified tonight so I can post some pics!!

lReef lKeeper

10-18-2006, 08:30 PM

*cough* You suck *cough*

AGREED !!

jojo22

10-18-2006, 08:49 PM

What they said...LOL nice find buddy

mutts

10-18-2006, 11:55 PM

dang greg! can't wait to see the pictures

seahorsedreams

10-19-2006, 02:24 AM

wait till you see the pics.

But I don't wanna wait!!!!!

Reptoreef

10-19-2006, 07:50 AM

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!

perpetual98

10-19-2006, 08:08 AM

And as an added bonus, you can use is as a coffin when your wife finally decides to kill you. :)

Sweetpea

10-19-2006, 08:20 AM

HOLY COW GREG!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm with Renee on this one- I don't wanna wait for pictures! (whiny voice and all... and I'm stomping my foot, too!) ;)

I keep looking for a great deal on a tank, but I've yet to come across anything like some of you guys. I did find a really nice 92g (w/ all equipment and fully stocked) on craigslist, but it was a corner tank. I just don't like the curved glass; it makes me woozy! Hmm, I need a share of the luck you all have...

dakar

10-19-2006, 08:44 AM

*cough* You suck *cough*

I'm with Eric... LOL Attatchments should be squared away now.... my bad.

The coral Bandit

10-19-2006, 09:25 AM

Greg; great find you've found a treasure above the sea best wishes in the restore project

graphixx

10-19-2006, 09:26 PM

Allright, Dave got me all fixed now. so here are the pics!!! Now you have to keep in mind that this tank has some serious neglect going on. that is why its coming home with me. I cant wait to get it in the house and GO TO WORK

lReef lKeeper

10-19-2006, 09:28 PM

yip, YOU SUCK !!

congrats on the great find, man !!

graphixx

10-19-2006, 09:28 PM

just a note too. the overflow you see in the center of the tank is exactly that: it is perfectly in the center of the tank, NOT on the back wall. its weird but it will make for some nice aquascaping!!!1

lReef lKeeper

10-19-2006, 09:33 PM

i think they do that because the tank is so deep (wide). if it was on the back wall, it couldn't pull water from the front part of the tank, but in the middle it can pull from all sides. i could be mistaken but i think that is why they do that on deeper tanks.

MedicMike

10-19-2006, 09:51 PM

Greg looks good man and its a **** swingin deal at that !

jojo22

10-19-2006, 10:06 PM

The nice thing is that means you don't have to put it againdst the wall. Since you can 'scape all around it you could put it as a room devider or whatnot.

Dirt4dinner

10-19-2006, 10:50 PM

I have a room that needs dividing....bring it on down dude!

seahorsedreams

10-19-2006, 11:15 PM

Look how small the angel looks!!! I am SO jealous!

graphixx

10-19-2006, 11:23 PM

renee, you are exactly right, that majestic is at least 10 inches from tip to tail. she is a monster!!!!!

seahorsedreams

10-19-2006, 11:26 PM

It looked mature. And that angel comes WITH the tank?

graphixx

10-19-2006, 11:29 PM

yep, the angel and 2 purple tangs,2 yellow tangs, various damsels,flame angel, wrasse, maroon clown. and I am sure I am missing some

mutts

10-19-2006, 11:52 PM

that is really nice, can't wait to see it after you work some magic on it

graphixx

10-19-2006, 11:54 PM

I am excited also. the only heart break I think this tank is going to give me is i have a gut feeling that the majestic is gonna be a coral nipper and I dont know if she is gonna work. I will give it a shot and keep an eye on her and see what happens.

seahorsedreams

10-19-2006, 11:55 PM

yep, the angel and 2 purple tangs,2 yellow tangs, various damsels,flame angel, wrasse, maroon clown. and I am sure I am missing some

I think I want to not speak to you for a couple of minutes.

Okay, I'm over it but I'm still WAY jealous.

Reef_Angel

10-20-2006, 03:25 PM

Pretty amazing tank Greg! I'm starting to think that having one big tank again would be easier than having all these smaller ones all over the house. Only problem getting a new big tank now would be not being able to shut down any of the smaller established ones, so we'd have a big one and 4 smaller ones to care for. Sounds like lots of work! The only way I see us getting another huge tank will be by lucking into something like that! I just don't think we'd ever be as lucky as you Greg! :cool: I'm jealous for sure!

Our old 180g had the middle overflow box on it. That's what failed us in the long run. We were working on changing that, but it failed before we got it changed. We learned a lot from that big tank, so our next one will be awesome....when it comes along anyway! You lucky dog Greg!! So, are you going to send us your 180g then?? :p ....Angel :angel1:

lReef lKeeper

10-20-2006, 03:47 PM

hey Greg, i sure could use a purple tang !! if the price is right !!

graphixx

10-20-2006, 04:23 PM

CONFIRMATION!!!! I take posession of the tank on thursday!!!!! this is going to be a HUGE pain in the rear. this tank is gigantic and its on the 2nd floor!!!! but dang it I am gonna get it done. I will probably transport all critter and livestock thursday (its gonna take allday to drain it) and then friday tackle the tank. pics will be coming!!!!!

seahorsedreams

10-20-2006, 04:51 PM

ERF!! Is that a glass tank?

graphixx

10-20-2006, 04:55 PM

yeah its glass!!! hello chiropractor!!!!!!!

seahorsedreams

10-20-2006, 05:14 PM

Didn't you say in the other thread you had to get it up to a second floor?

Seriously, how does one go about this?

graphixx

10-20-2006, 05:48 PM

doesnt have to go up to second floor, right now its on a second floor of a hospital but thank goodness its right by an elevator!!!!

seahorsedreams

10-20-2006, 05:56 PM

what sort of equipment will you be using to move it?

graphixx

10-20-2006, 06:07 PM

I have got a thinga ma jig used to move hot tubs, its like a platform on casters. I hope that will do the trick. and I have 4 buddies that are gonna help. thursday and friday are gonna be rough. I have to take down the 180 and out of the way which means housing all the critters, live sand LR. get all the stock out of the new tank. get the new tank over to the house and combine the 180 stock with the new tank stock. get the new tank set up and running and then transport the 180 to a guy I sold that tank to. so its gonna be a rough 2 days. I am gonna have buckets and tubs and anything else that will hold water FILLED with critters!!!! I am gonna try and take pics of the whole fiasco. I am sooo excited but I know I am gonna be one tired reefer come friday night (if I get it done by friday which I better cause I have to fly to portland first thing in the morning for a meeting and then fly home) so wish me luck :D

seahorsedreams

10-20-2006, 06:15 PM

Holy Moly! My envy for your new tank just stopped. After moving all of my tanks recently I would never be able to face going through it again at the moment. I wish you the smoothest transition. Be careful of mixing his fish with your without a QT first. If the tank has been neglected the fish may be on the hairy edge of unhealthy and this stress would be an opportune time for an ick outbreak. Here tang tang tang!

*cough*and if you don't want the angel I'll have it*cough*

That was a long cough :-)

graphixx

10-20-2006, 06:18 PM

I know that is what is the biggest dilema. I think I am gonna try and house as many in a quasi QT meaning my frag tanks. I think I can fit most of them in those. there are some sergent major damsels that are going to the LFS for credit but I think I can house the rest in the frag tanks. I forgot to mention also if anyone wants to volunteer to help I will gladly pay for the hotel room and dinner!!!! I will even let them choose whatever frag they want out of the frag tanks!!!!! ANY TAKERS!!!????!!!????

lReef lKeeper

10-20-2006, 07:36 PM

i would but .... well .... you are just to dang far for me to travel. unless you also buy the plane ticket !! i would buy it but the frag swap is going to break me probably !! GOD I LOVE THIS HOBBY !!

dakar

10-20-2006, 09:27 PM

That critter must weigh in close to 500lbs empty... just a guess but I don't envy you or the fellas you conned into helping in the least. Hope you've got easy access to WIDE doors!

Whoyah

10-20-2006, 11:00 PM

You may want to consider hiring professional movers. It will save your back and they are typcially bonded so if something gets broke you can get your money back. Just a suggestion. I paid $300 bucks last year and they moved my whole house in a couple hours plus removed a left behind piano. Best $300 I ever spent.

jojo22

10-20-2006, 11:45 PM

I'll help if you buy the plane ticket!!! Maby you can get a group rate for me and Bobby!!

mutts

10-21-2006, 12:11 AM

its a CR road trip... er plane trip... to your house now! lol. i wish you much luck and while it is a good deal, i'm glad i am not dealing with that right now. i hope everything works out okay

seahorsedreams

10-21-2006, 01:44 AM

Don't drop it.

graphixx

10-21-2006, 03:36 PM

actually the guys that are helping me move furniture for a living. I have the use of the delivery truck. all the doors are more than wide enough. its going out the doctors office double doors and going in through my sliding doors off the deck . so should be a pretty easy move. I think the tank is gonna be the easy part!!!!! its all the live stock and sand and rock that is gonna be the hard part. its gonna take 2 hours to empty the water!!!! should be an adventure.

Sparky

10-21-2006, 06:43 PM

Greg what a great deal!!! Do you have any pics of the top side of the tank??? So i can see how that over flow is set up???? That maybe a good ideal to have it in the center of the tank rather than on one end!!

Sweetpea

10-22-2006, 04:21 PM

Greg, this is simply AMAZING!!! The memory of all the hard work you have to do will fade away after you get it all set up and looking sharp... kind of like childbirth, lol! You forget the pain as soon as you see the end product!!! :D

graphixx

10-23-2006, 06:03 PM

allright, the past few days I have been formulating a plan of attack. I think I got it. I want to run it by you guys and see if you can see any holes in it!!!!
wednesday night: get all the tubs ready and loaded in the truck ( I have 4x50 gallon rubbermaid tubs, 8x5 gallon old salt buckets. along with a tarp and all the goodies I will need to start the break down of the tank.
THURSDAY MORNING: arrive at dr. office. I think the first thing will be to remove all the fish and corals. I will bag most of the fish that are small enough for bags and same with corals. the rest will go in 5 gallon buckets. all the LR will go in rubbermaid tubs and I will pack with soaked newspaper to keep "fresh" get all the critters to the house and fit as many in the frag tanks as possible. along witht he corals. back to the office and drain the tank. I am not saving that water.the same with the crushed coral. I bieleve that is one of the main reasons the tank is in bad shape. the substrate consists of LARGE chunks of crushed coral. so all that is going away. when tank is empty move the canopy the sump and equipment to house. come back for main tank and stand. I hope to god I can get all that done in approx 5-6 hours. if I start at 10:00 a.m. I would like to be completely done at the dr. office and everything at my house by 5:00 (do you think thats possible??) I think the fish will stay in containers overnight. I dont want to put them in the 180 for a night and then in buckets the next day for a while and then into the new tank (any thoughts) if I can get the new tank to the house by 5:00 I think I will attempt to break down the old tank and get it out of the way and start set up of the new tank. If I can get that done that gives me friday to just take the old tank to the new owner and have the rest of the day aquascaping the new tank and putting the final touches on it.
THOUGHTS OR COMMENTS?????

perpetual98

10-23-2006, 06:33 PM

In all honesty, take the amount of time that you think you'll be spending on it, and then multiply it by 1.5 or even 2. The fish should be ok I would think, heck they live in bags inside boxes inside UPS trucks. Maybe some air pumps to make some water movement? Or go there tomorrow and box everything up and send it to me and I'll keep an eye on it. :)

graphixx

10-23-2006, 06:36 PM

DAMM YOU ERIC!!! I know there is noooo way I will have it done by 4:00 but I am gonna try my darndest.

perpetual98

10-23-2006, 08:22 PM

I checked airfare to come out and help you. Not sure I can swing the $1200 flight on short notice. :)

Whoyah

10-23-2006, 09:54 PM

Just one word: DELEGATE. I think you plan might work as long as the folks helping you have their assignments before hand and know what they mean. 4 people working as a team could do this but one guy (YOU!!!) trying to do it all why three people watch will not. You should do the touchy stuff, like bag the expensive fish and delegate tasks like draining water, toting water, breaking down equipment to the worker bees. I wish I could come help you. Good Luck.

MedicMike

10-23-2006, 10:12 PM

Greg i bet i could move that whole tank in 3 hours so you should be fine in the time you've given yourself LOL. Ok i'm full of crap but goodluck anyway!
Mike

graphixx

10-23-2006, 10:19 PM

I think I can do it. I am gonna bring an extra return pump with me and drop it in the bottom of the tank and run a hose from it to the bathroom. so that should drain he tank fairly quick. and then shovel the sand out should go fairly quick. I think i can get it completly moved in 6 hours!!!!!

tileman

10-24-2006, 07:11 AM

If I wasn't so busy with work, I'm pretty close to you. Are you in Twin Falls?
My Grandparents used to own a home right by the college.

graphixx

10-24-2006, 10:58 AM

yup I am in Twin. I actually live about 3 blocks from the college. and the dr. office is about 2 miles away so thank goodness I am not going too far!!!

tileman

10-24-2006, 06:02 PM

Twin brings back alot of good memories, one of my very favorite towns, not too big and not too small. Good luck with your new tank.

graphixx

10-24-2006, 06:32 PM

thanks buddy I appreciate it. I am calling the Dr. office tomorrow morning to see just how early I can get in there and get started. I would like to have the tank empty before the office opens. I am hoping they would let me in there like at 7:00 but not sure if that is doable. but the earlier the better. I figure I can be snatching fish while the tank is emptying. and then pull the LR out real quick. so I am pretty confident that I can have it done and to my house if I start at 7:00 have the tank in my house no later than 1:00 (fingers crossed while knocking on wood holding a 4 leaf clover between my toes with a horse shoe around my neck :D )

jojo22

10-24-2006, 06:33 PM

you forgot the garlic to ward off evil vampires.

perpetual98

10-25-2006, 10:09 AM

A little too late now, but you could have sent me all of my stuff if that would have cleared up some space for you.

graphixx

10-25-2006, 05:05 PM

allright, I start at 7:00 tomorrow anybody wanna take bets on how long it takes to get the entire set up to my house? just transported not completely set up. Ithink I can have it broke down and moved by 1:00 and I think I can have the 180 broke down and the new tank on the wall by 5:00.

perpetual98

10-25-2006, 07:11 PM

You'll probably have it up around 5:00PM. In Honolulu. :)

seahorsedreams

10-25-2006, 07:42 PM

How much help do you have? I think it's going to be a longer day than you expect!

I bet a dollar on it being longer.... :-)

You have to keep coming on and updating us (ya, that should slow ya down enough to win my dollar. We all know a 5 minute break to type on the 'puter leads to 20 minutes passing by effortlessly. And if you translate that into guy terms that's an easy 40 minutes with each update!)

graphixx

10-25-2006, 10:58 PM

renee, you sound like my wife, she says whatever I say tack on at least 2 hours. but I cant argue. I will not check in but I am gonna take lots of pictures. I have some buddies lined up to help me. I think I can get all the rock out and fish and corals bagged and the tank drained in 3 hours. that puts me at 10:00 I will even tack on an hour. so 11:00. get the canopy and the equipment under the tank moved by 12:30 and come back for the tank and stand by 1:00 to 1:30. and then have it in te home and start on the 180. AND THAT IS THE STORY I AM STICKING TOO

mutts

10-25-2006, 11:30 PM

Good luck, tomorrows the big day!

graphixx

10-25-2006, 11:31 PM

thanks I appreciate it. I feel like its christmas eve!!! I AM ALL GIDDY TEEE HEE HEE HEE

jojo22

10-25-2006, 11:38 PM

I think that if Greg isn't done by five he should have to send ALL of us a free frag with free shipping......WHO"S WITH ME????? LOL I don't really want to put him under, I just want FRAGS!!!

graphixx

10-26-2006, 09:01 AM

well not sure I will be done by then, 7:00 and hit my first snag, the key the Dr. gave me to his office DONT WORK!!! so now I am sitting in my living room waiting till 8:30 when his staff gets there. that was not the way I want I wanted to start this day.

jojo22

10-26-2006, 09:24 AM

Good luck on the rest of your day buddy!!!

Reptoreef

10-26-2006, 11:17 AM

I give ya until Lindie decides you've had enough for the day... that's my guess. Maybe, 8pm or so.

seahorsedreams

10-26-2006, 11:20 AM

I smell a dollar coming on. :-)

mutts

10-26-2006, 11:20 AM

Aww... poor you. You have a couple hours to make up now... double time! lol

graphixx

10-26-2006, 06:18 PM

oh man what was I thinking!!!! my puter says 5:17 and I have the tank empty of water and LR and all the fish and critters. in the process of digging gravel out and then the tank comes home. so I think I should have the tank home by 8:00. once again. WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!

seahorsedreams

10-26-2006, 06:31 PM

I SO feel for you. Every tank move I've done has ended up taking twice as long as originally planned. It hard work. You must be tired. If I lived near ya I would bring ya a beer and lend a hand.

lReef lKeeper

10-26-2006, 07:00 PM

you know i would be glad to help to buddy !! to bad i am 100,000 miles away !! on a good note ... i got my halides from Shad today !! but the bad news ... i won't be hooking them up until saturday.

graphixx

10-26-2006, 09:30 PM

hey this is gregs wife and i would just like to let all of you know that it is 8:30 and the new tank has yet to enter our home so all that took up the bet you win greg is just now starting to transfer the actual tank i assume we will be up and running around midnight, hopefully (lol)

jojo22

10-26-2006, 10:33 PM

Tell greg it would have been cheaper to buy me a plane ticket than loose that many bets....LOL

graphixx

10-26-2006, 11:38 PM

OH MAN I AM IN SOOOO FAR OVER MY HEAD!!!!!! this has been a total NIGHTMARE!!!! I will fill you in on the entire day later. right now i can barely type I am soooo tired. I had some loss of life in the transfer and the icing on the cake is I have to take apart the stand piece by piece to get it through the door of the dr's office. soo this has been anything but fun. I will let you know how it goes late tomorrow. I have been taking pics as i go. I told my wife to NEVER let me do another stupid thing like this EVER. gooooooood nnnniiiight

jojo22

10-26-2006, 11:41 PM

Well godspeed in your ventures tomorrow my friend.

mutts

10-27-2006, 12:01 AM

i know what your up to, you just want us to feel sorry for you so we won't be mad at you getting such a good deal... your are not that tricky! lol

i hope it gets better. you will be glad you did all this work in a few months

seahorsedreams

10-27-2006, 12:21 AM

OH MAN I AM IN SOOOO FAR OVER MY HEAD!!!!!! this has been a total NIGHTMARE!!!!

Yup, I remember thinking that! So sorry! But just wait until it's UP!

lReef lKeeper

10-27-2006, 06:59 AM

yeah Greg, i agree with Renee !! we ALL know that it will be worth every ounce of dispair when it is up and running !! better luck today buddy.

HI LYNDEE !!!

Reptoreef

10-27-2006, 07:55 AM

Good luck, my brother... my best to Lindie, too.

Whoyah

10-27-2006, 07:35 PM

Since there hasn't been an update today, I am guessing that Greg fell asleep during the set-up process, plunged head first in to the tank and drown. At least they won't need to buy him a coffin.

What his tombstone might say:

Here lies Greg.
A man of great deals and high hopes.
To bad he couldn't judge the magnitude of the project before him.

R.I.P Greg

seahorsedreams

10-27-2006, 07:37 PM

*tries hard not to laugh*

perpetual98

10-27-2006, 07:39 PM

Poor Greg. He will surely be missed. I'm not sure by who, but I'm sure someone will miss him. :)

jojo22

10-27-2006, 08:02 PM

Pay no attention to the man crying in the 400 gal. tank...LOL

mutts

10-28-2006, 01:06 AM

aww... greg drowned...

come on we need an update, clearly we think you have died... lol

seahorsedreams

10-28-2006, 01:09 AM

He must be exhausted..... poor guy.... with the new 400 gallon tank. Wait now! He should be pittying me for not having a 400 gallon tank.

Whoyah

10-28-2006, 01:14 AM

In my best Mr T voice "I pitty the fool!!!". Sorry. Couldn't resist. I watched to much 80's tv when I was growing up.

Reptoreef

10-28-2006, 09:49 AM

"I pitty the foul"... so what does a bird have to do with this??? LOL

Whoyah

10-28-2006, 10:06 AM

Oops!!! Me and my bad spelling. Like I said I spent to much time watching watching 80's tv instead of doing my homework.

Reptoreef

10-28-2006, 10:11 AM

LOL... I figured. I guess, Greg is MIA. BTW, with all those tight mini-skirts and big hair, I think I missed 1/2 of my high school years, too.

dakar

10-28-2006, 10:56 AM

Just toss a few hundred hermit crabs in there to keep him company.... that'll take care of the 'waste'... hee hee Then I can go get my new tank :newlengua9ep:

Poor Greg, maybe that will learn him to brag!

Not that I wouldn't have done the same if a steal like that fell in my lap.

graphixx

10-28-2006, 07:12 PM

well, thursday and friday was the worst expiernce I have had in this hobby. this will be short for right now but sad to say the tank is not gonna work in my house. my floor cannot handle the weight of the tank. right now its sitting in my livingroom with a foot of water in it. I iwll post the rest when I get home this is a truly sad story.

Sparky

10-28-2006, 07:35 PM

Greg can't you add some prema jacks and support beams undrer the spot where the tank is sitting?????

Dirt4dinner

10-28-2006, 08:03 PM

Greg, I have the answer my friend. Tell Lyndee to pack her crap YOUR BUYING A BIGGER HOUSE!

Whoyah

10-28-2006, 08:56 PM

He lives!!! Man that sucks about the tank That is a lot weight. 500 gallons comes out at 4,000 pounds. Throw in the stand, LR, and sand, sure your close to 5,000. You would need a **** of alot jacks to support that weight evenly.

Sea~Horse~Whisperer

10-28-2006, 09:28 PM

I have 6 floor jacks in my basement, I know how that goes. My house was built in 1904. It wasn't built to withstand the weight of multiple SW aquariums. Next summer we are adding support walls (concrete) in the basement so I can have all the tanks I want and not have to worry about them ending up in the basement. I hope you figure something out so you can set the tank up. It's a shame to have it, but not be able to set it up.
I wish you the best of luck. There HAS to be a way.

Angie

perpetual98

10-28-2006, 10:30 PM

Toss a few stamps on that bad boy and send it to me. I don't have a basement. The concrete slab should hold her up. :)

Hopefully you figure something out. Might as well carpet the garage and move a couch out there so you can watch the tank. :) For the deal you got on it, I wouldn't get rid of it just yet!

Or you could turn around and sell it for a pretty penny. You've got options I'm sure.

Eric

seahorsedreams

10-28-2006, 10:51 PM

OMG! This is indeed horrible. I truely don't know what to say (ask my folks and former school teachers.... it's a rare occurance for me and my ADD to be speechless).

lReef lKeeper

10-28-2006, 11:19 PM

dude, that sux !! i would agree with the use of floor jacks. i would go with 1 in all 4 corners, and 1 every other floor joist in the front and back of where the tank will be sitting. if you decide to go with the jacks give me a shout on the phone if you need any help.

Reptoreef

10-28-2006, 11:49 PM

Hey man,
I may have a bit of free time to head up and give ya a hand... just holler and I'll see what I can do.

mutts

10-29-2006, 12:06 AM

thats so sad! i hope there is a way you can get around the stupid floor not being strong enough.

graphixx

10-29-2006, 12:09 AM

graphixx

10-29-2006, 12:09 AM

You guys I cannot tell you how much that means. there is NO way to get under the house to jack it up. I talked to Jay (repto) earlier today and was talking about cutting a hole in the floor and get under there but that is not possible. I am getting my house appraised thursday and all of this has to be GONE. And to be honest, I never thought I would say this but this tank is truly TOO BIG for this room. and this is a big room!!!!
a quick recap on the whole ordeal. the tank had to be carried down 2 flilghts of stairs with 2 people. the crown molding on the stand had to be removed to get the stand in the house (the stand alone is approx 260 lbs its solid oak.) And to make matters worse every fish but ONE died in the transfer. I think the stress is what did it. I managed to save a purple tang. I lost.... majestic angel,4 yellow tangs,3 purple tangs,6 sergent major damseld, wrasse, maroon clown, clarki clown, blue chromis, domino damsel!!!!! I literally called my wife lastnight almost in tears I was so distraught. I didnt know what to do. I have approx 400 lbs of what was once live rock in trash cans. deader than ****. I sold the 180 so now my fish are crammed in my frag tank. the sump for the new tank is also bursting at the seams with corals. I honestly dont know what I am gonna do. I am 90% sure I am gonna sell everything off and just take a step back and take a few breaths. I dont want to but then again I am mentally and physically exhausted right now. I dont know if I want to tackle another big tank. I have called and left a message with the doctor I am hoping I can work something out with him. I dont know what will he will do. I took pictures of the whole process I will post them tomorrow night so you can kinda see what I went through. I took pictures of my thighs just so you can see the bruises I have from just setting the tank on them so I could get a better grip. I am just very tired and frazzled. but I will get some pics up tomorrow. so if you know anyone that wants a GREAT deal on a tank let me know but they are responsible for picking it up. I am not gonna lift that tank EVER AGAIN.

seahorsedreams

10-29-2006, 12:37 AM

..... still speechless.......

perpetual98

10-29-2006, 08:15 AM

That sucks dude. I'm sure you could sell it on RC pretty quick. What are the dimensions of it?

lReef lKeeper

10-29-2006, 09:31 AM

i am SOOOOO sorry to hear this buddy !! i am pretty much at a loss for words here. i know how excited you were about this tank, and to have it taken away is just not fair !! there has to be a way to do this ... if i only knew what your house looked like, i am sure i could come up with something for you !! the hole in the floor to add jacks sounds like a great idea (if there is carpeting in that area, to hide the hole), you could do a kinda "trap door" and cover it with the carpet. hmmmmmmmmmmm

BTW, if you need a babysitter for the fish that you have all crammed into the smaller tanks ... send them down. you pay shipping to me, i will pay shipping back to you my friend. same thing goes for the corals !!

dakar

10-29-2006, 10:12 AM

All kidding aside that just sucks rocks! After you've had time to recover a bit you'll have to elaborate on how you discovered the weight was going to be too much. In the mean time get some rest.... I'm curious as they construction of your place... maybe a bit of redneck engineering can be of some use.

graphixx

10-29-2006, 12:25 PM

Dave, yeah this part of the house is an addition and its not entirely "up to code" when I was filling the tank my floor was making some very very angry sounds. I am scared to death that the tank will collapse through the floor if I set it up. right now with a foot of water in it it allready has a 3/4 inch slant to it. and i am sure that would get worse as the tank gets fuller. I would love to keep the tank but its too dang big for this house. it looks sooo out of place in this room and this is the biggest room in the house!!! I think its cause the stand is soo tall. the stand is 3.5 foot high, when the whole thing is put together i have like a 3 inch clearance from the top of canopy to ceiling. I know for sure if I had to get in and do something in the tank I would not have enough room to work. I really did not think this through well enough. what I am thinking is put this tank in a storage shed and get this house appraisal stuff done and the house back together and build a new stand that is not as high to get the over all height down (maybe) Or sell this tank ASAP, I think I got a guy here locally that is interested. And get a slightly smaller tank. maybe a 240 or something like that.
But one thing I did want to say is that you guys are really some of the best people around. I have got soo many PM's and just words of encouragement that I cannot thank you guys enough. You guys are the best!!!!
I promise tonight when I get home I will post the pics of the process and the current state of my house right now.

seahorsedreams

10-29-2006, 03:09 PM

If I lived closer I would so take this tank from you. We have a very large living room and our house is on a slab. And I also have a 240 gallon acrylic that is not being used at this time.

I bet there are loads of peeps who will work something out with you!

*sigh*

graphixx

10-29-2006, 04:46 PM

Renee, that is what I am hoping. I think the 240 option will be more aesethically pleasing to the house. this thing really looks ridiculous in this room its soooo dang big. and its a shame cause it is literally one of the most beautiful set ups I have ever seen. I will have a plan locked monday afternoon when I talk to the doctor and see if he wants to work something out. but I will be tank shopping this friday I think. and just go from there. I still am not 100% sure on which road I am gonna take size wise but I am sure that this tank is not gonna work. so I will either give it back to the Dr. or I will be forced to keep it and sell it. I will let you guys know what is going on. And like I said before I will get the pics posted tonight when I get home to show you this little adventure gone wrong. thanks again guys I really mean it.

graphixx

10-29-2006, 09:37 PM

here are the pics of the fiasco: breaking the tank down, transporting, sitting in my living room, and I threw in a pic of the bruise on one of my thighs and that is the lesser of the 2 bruises.

Dirt4dinner

10-29-2006, 11:30 PM

That tank is CRAZY big!!!

mutts

10-29-2006, 11:53 PM

wow, i'm sorry that it didn't work out for you... i can really feel your pain... it will be better soon, everything gets better with a little time

Reptoreef

10-30-2006, 07:57 AM

Knock 6" off that stand and modify... think about it for a bit before finalizing your decision. That tank is INCREDIBLE!!! It can be done. However, I understand your troubles. Good luck my brother.

perpetual98

10-30-2006, 08:13 AM

Wow Greg, you're short. :)

dakar

10-30-2006, 08:59 AM

Wow that stand and canopy is gorgeous... it would really be a shame to hack up all that nice red oak :( But crazy tall! That'd make for a LOT of water on the floor, listing 3/4" of inch with only a foot of water... full, that would really put some serious pressure on the pane holding back the water... pressure that would ultimately win the battle around 3am and you'd really be in dutch.

Sweetpea

10-30-2006, 10:47 AM

Greg, my heart aches for you... this is all so very sad. I hope you get everything worked out quickly AND get to keep the tank! :)

lReef lKeeper

10-30-2006, 04:26 PM

good lord !! look at all of that crown molding !! that really is a great looking tank man !! BTW ... i bet your legs hurt and ... you ARE SHORT !! i guess they grow em samll in Idaho, huh ?! lol j/k buddy.

graphixx

10-30-2006, 05:21 PM

SHORT!!!! I am six foot tall, its just that the tank is a damm monster!!!!!!

graphixx

10-30-2006, 05:25 PM

allright, here is where I am at............... how hard do you think it would be to either shorten the stand or build a new stand alltogether???? I have some movers coming wednesday morning to move the tank to a storage shed. I have the shed till december 1st so this gives me some time!!!!! so I either, formulate a plan to fix the floor (which whoyah has given some great insight to and would be easy) and shorten the stand and keep the tank or, try and sell the tank either as a whole or piece it out and get a new system. I really would like to keep the tank but I would have to shorten the stand and I think I would take the molding off of the canopy as well so it doesnt stick out so far.
what are your thoughts guys

perpetual98

10-30-2006, 06:10 PM

Shortening the stand is probably going to be more work than it's worth due to the fact that it has raised panels on it. With the amount of room you've got, just make a new stand with 4x4'x, 2x4's, 2x6's etc and skin it with 1/4" oak plywood.

Well, that's what I would do. :) If you need anything, I've got plenty of ideas. Give me a call if you need anything. You can get doors unfinished at Home Depot which will make things easier. Or you could sleep with a cabinet builder and he can hook you up with doors. I know that you're easy. If we can find cheap enough airfare, I'll come out and help you if you want.

graphixx

10-30-2006, 06:40 PM

that is what I am thinking. lets have a "help Greg get this damm tank up" Party!!! I have plenty of space, Eric you and the wife come down, Bobby you too, Shad just drive down same with Jay and Chels. I will pay for everyones rooms and we will have a party. anybody else want they are invited as well!!!! :D

jojo22

10-30-2006, 06:50 PM

You paying airfare from ohio too???

lReef lKeeper

10-30-2006, 10:34 PM

dude, i wish i could afford to leave ... i would be there in a heartbeat !! let me talk it over with the wife (and travelosity) and see if we can afford the airfair and i will get back to you on this !!

i am with Eric on building a new stand, it would probably be a HUGE pain (kinda like the one on your leg) to shorten that one. but you WILL need to send me all of that molding !!

lReef lKeeper

10-30-2006, 10:37 PM

BTW ... when are we doing this little "party" ?? i might just drive !!

Sea~Horse~Whisperer

10-30-2006, 11:07 PM

I hope you get to keep the tank. Where there's a will there's a way. And nobody's more stubborn than a reefer with a "gotta have" tank. I would fill my entire basement with concrete before I gave up that tank. I'm not sure what's under your house. Full basement, crawl space, raised slab, etc.

Cut a hole in the floor, frame it up, lay stone and rbar / grate, pour the crete, let it set, and rebuild the floor over it. I would do it, lol. That's why my hubby loves me. I'm all for demolition if I get what I want out of it.

graphixx

10-30-2006, 11:11 PM

me and the wife are discussing moving it to another wall where it will look better and I would be able to get under the floor EASILY to build it up. but right now our main concern is getting this tank to the storage shed and get the house put back together for the appraisal. I think the new wall it would look really nice, right now where the tank is its just sooooo out of place and just does not look well but the new wall it would "blend" in a little better and not be sooo obtrusive.

Whoyah

10-30-2006, 11:34 PM

I found this link and though it might help out.

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

Greg, the article mentions the method you and I discussed earlier toward the bottom.

perpetual98

10-31-2006, 08:00 AM

Bobby, if you drive, swing up here and pick me up. It's not THAT far out of the way. LOL

Besides, when we're done with the new stand, we'll clean Greg out of corals! :)

Greg, get me dimensions of that tank and how tall you want the top lip to be. (like how far is your armpit off of the floor. :) )

lReef lKeeper

10-31-2006, 12:56 PM

he is soooo short that his armpit is only 3' 8" off the ground !! lol

let me jump right on the highway and scoop you up, Eric !! then we can make it a 10x longer trip than it already is.

eldiente

10-31-2006, 01:04 PM

If you still want to sell the tank I live in Twin Falls and will take it off your hands. I could even get it tonight (halloween) if you needed to. sorry I just saw the post from another forum or I would of helped you out a while ago. If not i'd still love to meet you to see your other tanks and maybe get some frags from you if you have some. my email is eldiente@hotmail.com. thanks brian

perpetual98

10-31-2006, 01:46 PM

Well this may just work out after all!

Bobby, did some mapquesting:

1630 miles from my place to Twin Falls
1810 miles from your place to Twin Falls
If I met you in Illinois, it would be 1945 miles to Twin Falls for you to pick me up. :)

Hardly 10x longer. Then again, I'll cut you some slack because I know how bad you are at measuring things. 8"? c'mon. lol

lReef lKeeper

10-31-2006, 02:06 PM

so just what is wrong with 8" ?? 8 inches is a normal measurement !! puffer !!

dakar

10-31-2006, 02:42 PM

Holy smokes! I might need to see how many sites this thread is linked to... over 2200 views??!??

And of course a welcoming wave to eldiente (http://www.captivereefing.com/member.php?u=2254).

graphixx

10-31-2006, 04:37 PM

Dave, I posted my tank for sale on RC when I was gonna sell it and linked this thread to it, so I am sure that will give this place some exposure.

dakar

10-31-2006, 04:55 PM

No worries from me :)
Seems it spread like wildfire, I see inbound hits to this thread from several sites in the logs.

carpenterwrasse

10-31-2006, 05:18 PM

I think i saw that tank in duece bigaloe

graphixx

10-31-2006, 05:47 PM

That is great, glad I could help "boost the ratings" of this place. ;)

seahorsedreams

10-31-2006, 06:00 PM

You're selling it!

graphixx

10-31-2006, 06:49 PM

NO NO NO NO!!!! I almost sold it. I posted it on RC to see what response I would get and I got swarmed. but then me and the wife talked it over and found a wall that will work. so tomorrow I am paying movers to move it to a storage shed for the month while I get the floor built up (the new wall it will go against is easy to get under) so ....... THE TANK STAYS!!! I will however build a lower stand. this stand is exactly 42 inches tall its a monster. but if anyone wants to come over and help with the floor and the stand like I said I will pay for the room and feed you all and drinks are on me!!!!!! and I am sure you all would be leaving with pockets full of frags!!!!!!

lReef lKeeper

10-31-2006, 07:15 PM

just let me know when a few days in advance !! i will probably drive up, so i will need some notice.

seahorsedreams

10-31-2006, 08:06 PM

*whew*

So, you got a lot of responses, hey?

graphixx

11-01-2006, 12:20 AM

yeah I go bombarded with people wanting the tank. I had a guy from newjersey gonna fly down rent a uhaul and drive it back. but I had it listed for 500.00 so it was a heck of a deal

perpetual98

11-01-2006, 08:00 AM

Ahh, the $500 "frustration" price. :)

graphixx

11-02-2006, 04:42 PM

First off I want to give my wife credit for this idea. I cannot bieleve I did not think of this. I am by no means a carpenter so I need some input as to the difficulty of this task. my den/frag room has a closet and the other side of that closet is the wall that I want to put the new tank. so my wife said "hey lets knock out that wall and do a wall tank!!! So what I want to do is cut out the dimensions of the tank (just the tank no stand no canopy no nothing) and make it so that its flush with the wall in the living room. so it looks almost like a painting or what not. I want to put a molding frame around it to finish it off and want to put a shelf all the way across the bottom sort of like a bar and then put a couple of stools there. Now on the other side (my den) I would like it to be finished as well so it has a nice look in the frag room/den. I can easily reinforce the floor its very very accesible. this wall is not load bearing at all its just a plain ole wall. I have attached pics. 2 of the living room and the closet in the fragroom/den. I need some thoughts input and advice on this. I would like to get this started pretty quick. Once again invitations still stand on helping me out on this :D

lReef lKeeper

11-02-2006, 04:45 PM

ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME ?? HOLY CRAP, MAN THAT IS GONNA BE SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET !!

so i guess you WILL be sending me all of that crown molding after all !!

graphixx

11-02-2006, 04:47 PM

LOL. actually what I want to do is still use the canopy and the stand (if possible) may have to do some adjusting so that the nice stand and canopy are visible from my den. I really dont this should be too hard.

lReef lKeeper

11-02-2006, 04:58 PM

sounds like you are just looking at cutting and bracing the legs of the stand, and reinforcing the floor, then cutting the hole in the wall and positioning the tank. it is kinda hard to see what will be involved until you get INTO the wall. probably a footer under the front end (next to the wall) of the tank. the main thing is DONT GET EXCITED !! if you get in to big of a rush, you will mess something up, (learned from exp.). second, measure twice and cut once !! i think i am gonna have to drive up !!

seahorsedreams

11-02-2006, 05:00 PM

Dood.... that is THEE perfect idea. I was about to buy a house in Texas before I moved out here and had researched building one myself. It's very doable. If I could do it, you could do it.

graphixx

11-02-2006, 05:01 PM

I rented a storage shed for 2 months and the tank is in there right now. so the way I look at it is that I have 2 months to get this done. I think that is plenty of time to take it slow and do it right. I am hoping to get some ideas suggestions from you guys. I have allready gotten some awesome help soo far.

seahorsedreams

11-02-2006, 05:02 PM

What's in the room with the closet? Does the tank have to be "guest viewable" or are we turning the whole thing into a fish/tank room?

Okay, I missed where you said the other side is your den.... how big of a room is it.... take some pic for inspiration of our brains.

seahorsedreams

11-02-2006, 05:04 PM

You could take out the whole corner.

lReef lKeeper

11-02-2006, 05:06 PM

YES, and make it a 3 viewing sided tank !! oh; man i am getting some ideas ... stop before the wife kills me !!

seahorsedreams

11-02-2006, 05:08 PM

Yummy!

graphixx

11-02-2006, 05:08 PM

The room with the closet is my fragroom/den so I do want it to look nice on that side too. i figure I can still use the canopy and the stand (with some minor adjustments) so from my den it will look like a nice tank,stand,canopy and the other side of wall (living room) it will be a wall tank. THOUGHTS COMMENTS????

graphixx

11-02-2006, 05:09 PM

we thought about being viewable from 3 sides but it would hinder the dining room.

graphixx

11-02-2006, 05:12 PM

I know that would be great but that is not an option but dang it would be sweet!! but I think its gonna look sharp. we went and looked at barstools and shelving for the bottom and the molding to go around the tank as well. so I think it will look very sharp

seahorsedreams

11-02-2006, 05:13 PM

Okay, if you want the picture effect on the other side you'll have to have your filtration on the side(s).....

Can anyone recommend a good shapes and graphics type software... photodhop is so hard....

graphixx

11-02-2006, 05:15 PM

LOL, renee you kill me!!!! you wont see the filtration and stuff, it will be under the stand!!!!! I know you can photoshop that ;)

seahorsedreams

11-02-2006, 05:18 PM

Can you take some pics of your den? How much footage are we talking here....

seahorsedreams

11-02-2006, 05:19 PM

That's right.... it's a glass tank so I guess you won't be drilling hole in it for a closed loop system.

graphixx

11-02-2006, 05:23 PM

the den is 17ft wide and 10.5 ft across pics on the way

graphixx

11-02-2006, 05:28 PM

here are the pics. the pic showing the closet, I will completely take "walkway" wall out so in essence the den will be one big room with no closet. I was thinking of building shelves on each side of the tank to put my goodies on.

seahorsedreams

11-02-2006, 05:29 PM

You want this beast viewable from all sides or will one side be sitting up against the wall in den?

*Pulls out graph paper and pencil..... *

I love graph paper.

graphixx

11-02-2006, 05:33 PM

you wont really be able to view it from the sides. it will be centered in the wall so you will have approx 3 feet on each side of the tank. I dont know if I am gonna do shelving on both sides of the tank just leave it so you can view from the side. not sure yet

graphixx

11-02-2006, 05:35 PM

does that make sense??? once again THOUGHTS COMMENTS??? I have to say also that all the input and support I have gotten from all of you guys concerning this tank is fantastic I just want to say thanks ;)

perpetual98

11-02-2006, 05:36 PM

One of my favorite quotes:

"You know, no matter how many times I cut this thing, it's STILL too short!"

:)

graphixx

11-02-2006, 05:37 PM

oh Eric, dont say that buddy!!!! But yes your probably right, like bobby said "cut once measure twice"

seahorsedreams

11-02-2006, 05:37 PM

Build a unit around it so it looks like a full wall TV unit... except with tank in the "TV area".

Whoyah

11-02-2006, 05:41 PM

Something to consider. You will need access to the top of the tank from the the living room side.There is a local reef here who has basically has the same set-up as you described behind his bar. The tank is 180 I believe. His problem was decorating the living room side of the tank because he did not leave access space from living. The wall came down close to the top of the tank. He complained that it was bear because he had to reach over the top of the rocks and trying to place something blindly well his wife was yelling for the other room with directions. Does not sound fun. You may want bring the tank out maybe 6" out into the living side and then build a nice wood apron around it.

Something else, you try contacting Michael Paletta. He is an author and gave a lecture at WMC on building and placing large aquariums. He seemed really sharp. He lives in Pittsburg. I am note sure how you would get a hold of him though.

graphixx

11-02-2006, 05:49 PM

Shad, good point buddy but I will have full access to the tank from my den. and I know from tearing that sucker down that I can easily reach anywhere in the tank on a ladder. so I dont think that would be too bad of a problem. and I will try and search Paletta thanks for the tip!!!! and as for the wall unit renee, we thought about that but this storage space is gonna be used for all of my buckets and food and all that fun stuff so I would like something that has a door on it. If I were able to get all my stuff on one side of the tank I could do some sort of nice shelf or just leave it bare so you can walk around the side and "take a peek"

seahorsedreams

11-02-2006, 06:03 PM

A wall unit can have doors. :-)

Whoyah

11-02-2006, 08:37 PM

I was just throwing that out there. I think the problem is not only reaching OVER the pile of LR and corals but actually being able to see what your doing effectively. Unless are laying on top the tank I would imagine it would be pretty hard to see the bottom on the living room side from the den side. The guy here locally ended up with a mushroom forest on his living room side because he could not reach them.