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Largish Tank Advice Needed! (1 Viewer)

To be honest, if you have no plans for a fresh air exhanger ( summer isn't the issue. It's winter. ). It might be plausible if you have all new double pahned gas windows. If this is older house with original windows this is a total no go without a fresh air exchanger. You will ruin all the window frames as the humidity will be so much you will have a 1/4" thick ice buildup on the INSIDE of the windows. Been there done that and was #1 reason why I had to take it down after 2 years.

My philiosphy, if there is any doubt on how structurely sound and not willing to reinforce then the basement is where it should be located. Years ago when I lived in Virginia in a house built in 1860s, the possibility of walking in the room and the tank fell though ran in the back of my mind everyday and this was just a little 90g thing. As silliy as it may sound I never enjoyed becuase I didn't have the peace of mind.

You may think it's only 1 or 2 times a month but what about all those times a coral falls ( If you go comminity reef ) or a snail tips over, remove corals to dip or inspect for pests, fragging ( which is a good problem to have ) , algae removal, and god forbid you have to do some aptasia zapping. If you don't have room from behind then like others have mentioned, the top better be flexable to move completely out of the way so you can get your whole upper torso above the tank. So pulleys, track systems, whatever but it's a must have. A tank this size you don't want to have to depend on a neighbor ( unless you have a strong spouse to help lift ) to get into the tank.

From my experience, I've resolved to the fact that 180g is about the max I want to go. As impressive my in-wall once in it's prime, bigger wasn't better ( for me ).

From what little you have told about your home, I'm just not thinking this is a good idea.
 
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Location: based on what DG noted about your house setup... I would absolutely stay away from a basement setup without a whole house air exchanger or some effiecient means of air exchange (dehumidifier, airfreshner, fan for air circulation or exhaust running)... winter or not it will wreck your place, I'm saying this having a whole house air exchanger. Ours is an unfinished basement and it has its own challenges.

Having said that I would recommend setting up the tank where you are most likely to see the tank... not just for enjoyment but also for when something is wrong.. more likely to notice it.

My tank is on an outside wall (which would make it load bearing) and I have setup supports (floor jacks) right under it in the basement. for me its not an issue as its unfinished, but from the brief description it sounds like you maybe able to "Adapt" the space under where the tank will go in the basement into a fish room.. just a thought ..consider floorjacks.

Evaporation in itself is a bigger issue with the homes structure... think mold, condensation in places not visible to the eye.. rotting wood etc, afaik no impact on PH; although in winter the closed house will contribute to a drop in PH due increased CO2 levels.

As for accessibility its not a question of once or twice.. its when that one time it happens and you're a walking talking mad Fbomber (assuming its in your dictionary); as for being able to get your whole upper torso above the tank... somehow made my thoughts wander :laugh: but a snorkelling kit would be handy

A larger tank will need more supplementation as the colonies mature and its very important to plan for that now as a fall in either parameters could mean an irreverible loss of many years of patience and hard work.

for the move, make a list of things you are picking up and be prepared with enough transportation space or to leave things behind, unless you can store them at someones place and fetch them later; At one time I had planned to pick up a tank in Georgia.. so there's some room for more craziness :kackle:
 
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wouldn't a nicely sealed up fishroom keep the humidity confined to that room?
 
rihanssu said:
wouldn't a nicely sealed up fishroom keep the humidity confined to that room?
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Yes, this would be ideal. Fish room constructed with moisture proof barrier and exhauste air/exchanger. This would need to be in-wall so the tank is actually in the fish room.


Moisture evaporation has nothing to do with pH directly. pH is driven by CO2 levels in the tank/atmosphere. So in the wintertime with the house closed, CO2 levels are going to rise from your other pets and people. As those level rise the pH goes down. Common thing for all tanks both big and small. The Air exchanger will solve both issues though. Will keep the humidity levels down and push out the higher CO2 levels and bring in lower levels. So Win/Win.

De-humidifer is a very ineffecient way to handle the problem. I know in my case the unit ran 24/7 and pulled 600W and didn't put a dent into the problem . Where as a exchanger will solve the issue and only run 88w or so.

So like we have been preaching all along you will need to make some changes to your house for this to work correctly and for the long term.

Finally, IMO: Yes you are crazy driving to Colorado for this tank unless you were already planning to go there for vacation of family reasons. The money and expenses for the trip, would be better spend on a tank that is more suitable for your situation such as a 180g.
 
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So here are the pics they they sent me.

I've been researching the whole house air exchangers & have put a call in to my plumbing/heating guy to see if one could be installed in my house - we have no duct work, but from what I've read, one could still maybe be used. So if I CAN get one put in, then I will still be considering installing this tank in my house, probably on the main level with the floor reinforced & the fish room below.

I've already told these folks that I would come & get this tank & equipment, so if I decide it's just not going to happen for me, I would feel bad calling to say I've changed my mind. What are the chances I could sell off everything & recoup some/enough of my expenses to make it worth it? If I have to just bow out, I will, but I don't really want to. Opinions, please?


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This last pic is at a weird angle - tilt your head to the left to look at it - some sort of sump system, I think, but I don't recognize it.
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As always, thank-you!!!!!!:)
 
David, I just read your last post (posted while I was typing mine), and I think you may be right. I'm thinking that all of what you said is right on, just feeling uncomfortable backing out on these people when they were trying to do something nice for me.

I am definitely willing to make changes to the house to make this work, and could do a sealed fishroom with air exchanger for an in-wall install on the lower level......but still. All of the trouble & expense would likely be better focused on a build from scratch. I get it.
 
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I can't really make out much about the equipement. Only thing I see of value would be the tank itself and the two panworld pumps ( although can't see the model #s. ). Lighting most likely is nothing special but can't tell what it is. Overall value ( not being able to see the condition of the tank and the man hours involved with buffing out scratched) would be in the $800 range ( others may value it a bit more ). So travel is probably going to cost as much is it is worth. I doubt you would attempt to bring the DIY stand with you becuase of the size and cost to transport.

Me personally, If I lived in Colorada, I would not be surprised a person from MN would back out becuase of travel. That's a pretty big task free of not. In the end, regardless if they are let down, you still need to do what's best for you. I have a real hard time thinking there is nobody located in CO that would take this off their hands for free.

For grins here is what my 375g looked like, there was nothing wrong and no tank crashes when I took it down. The reason was primarily humidity issues. When I got the estimate for my house with central air it was around $1700. If you really research and know what your doing it could be done for considerably less but may not work optimal. In the end was not willing to spend another $1700 and decided to downsize.

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308600
 
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Been watching the thread for a few days and reading all the input. Lot's of sound advice. It is hard to look at it with a clear head when you are passionate about it. Much easier from the outside looking in.

My thought initially was, well maybe. Once the Colorado thing became evident I would be a staunch no. Although it is a cool tank and at this point you have put a lot of emotional energy into it, I would say no go.

As many have posted the tank itself is one of the smallest investments in this hobby when you think about it. Everything else builds itself around the tank and this is where the real investement is. I see a decent tank with some issues (scratches). I see some decent equiptment but nothing of much used market value. No Vortechs, Tunzes, LED's, killer skimmer, or anything like that. Add in the cost of travel and I would say you are going backwards.

The other thing that comes to mind is half the fun of a tank build, large or small, is planning everything out and putting it together piece by piece.

I bought a Skeeter bass boat off of ebay like 8 years ago. It was located in Dallas. I had some nay sayers but I did it anyway. Drove down and got the boat. It was not what I thought it would be. I was there so I was coming home with a boat one way or the other. I should have walked when I saw it. Needless to say I brought it home and it was a money pit. I ended up selling it for a major loss and bought a new boat a couple years later.

So whatever you decide, I hope it turns out well for you. Sorry to be one of those nay sayers. If you don't get it use this as a spring board for your own custom 180g build.
 
Well, I made the call. Adam, you are right about the emotional part of it! This time my brain won out. I'm bummed, but it seems like it was the right thing to do.

Thanks again to everyone that chimed in with their two cents. You brought up important aspects for me to consider & I wouldn't have gotten there without you!

So now I'll start my hunt for a new quest.......:fish:
 
Can I have their address?

lol

Just kidding, glad you got some closure on this.
 
In the end it's the right decision, even if the tank was located next door. The amount of planning and work to get the house ready is accomidate is enough to keep you busy for quite some time. Like others have said, the planning and dreaming is just as fun, sometimes better becuase in your head it's still perfect.
 
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