500G Reef Tank in Puerto Rico

[Barebucta]

Nice...not for the lighthearted though! Just the mere fact of where you put the tank makes this thread interesting. Can't wait to see it up and running. Make sure to take pictures of your progress. Best of luck to you!

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by Barebucta

Nice...not for the lighthearted though! Just the mere fact of where you put the tank makes this thread interesting. Can't wait to see it up and running. Make sure to take pictures of your progress. Best of luck to you!

Thanks Barebucta

The largest tank I've had before this one was 75G so going up to 500 was a real challenge. Even though my apartment has two floors I was forced to put it on the top floor because taking it down the stairs to the first floor was out of the question. It literally weights a ton.

I'll put up some more pictures later on.

Thanks

Jan

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by Ceebuano

wow can't wait for this tank to come alive

Ceebuano

I'm a pretty patient person but I cant wait either.

Thanks for your post.

Jan

[jhentr]

Man, that's some guts to put it up 15 floors. Congrats. The crane with the tank dangling off it is an amazing (an scary) sight to behold.

Can't wait to see it take off.

[janey]

WOW
JAn Good Luck. Can't wait to see more pics as you go....
I myself am setting up a 110 Peninsula , Very small compare to yours..LOL

Where in PR are you ???



Janey

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by jhentr

Man, that's some guts to put it up 15 floors. Congrats. The crane with the tank dangling off it is an amazing (an scary) sight to behold.

Can't wait to see it take off.

jhentr

As they say ..No guts no glory!!! I was very scared that it would hit the side of the building and shatter. We had to close off the street with police and everything. jejeje

Thanks for your post

Jan

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by janey

WOW
JAn Good Luck. Can't wait to see more pics as you go....
I myself am setting up a 110 Peninsula , Very small compare to yours..LOL

Where in PR are you ???



Janey

Janey

Thanks for your post.

I have a video I'll posting soon with the lift. I have to edit it a bit though.

Good luck with your project as well. Do you have a thread? Send me a picture.

BTW.. I live in San Juan, have you been here? Where are you from?

Jan

[auem]

crane...big tank...highrise..it's all dejavu andytripa...best wishes..looking forward to this build...

[gweston]

Sweet. I am looking forward to see this one come together! I'm tagging along.

I've been to San Juan and all down the north/east coast myself. Been to PR only once, hope to go back one of these days. Spent my b-day with (high octane) sangria, the beach, and great food from a road-side stand.

Looks like an amazing effort to get that tank up there with the crane... but when it all comes together you'll have quite a display going!

[luisgo]

Jan mi pana que loquera!!! Wow.

I live in Puero Rico and I remember seen that tank at the Normandie hotel. It was maintained by El Gran Aquarium and it was a fish only tank.

Looking at the crane and what you did something tells me that you are a Fish Geek!! That is how my daugther call me, jeje..

Just to let you know there is an Aquarium Club in Puerto Rico and we have monthly meetings and a forum. You can google it "AMEPR.org" which stands for "Acuaristas Metro Este de Puerto Rico". I you need a local advise and some help just let us know.

Keep posting!!

[boozeman]

Wepa Boricua !

I'll be following this thread with much interest as I plan to retire to PR in a few more years.
I realize that power outages are less common in SJ than in the rest of the island, but just in case may I suggest some sort of back up source .

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by auem

crane...big tank...highrise..it's all dejavu andytripa...best wishes..looking forward to this build...

auem

Thanks.. I'll keep you all posted on the progress.

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by gweston

Sweet. I am looking forward to see this one come together! I'm tagging along.

I've been to San Juan and all down the north/east coast myself. Been to PR only once, hope to go back one of these days. Spent my b-day with (high octane) sangria, the beach, and great food from a road-side stand.

Looks like an amazing effort to get that tank up there with the crane... but when it all comes together you'll have quite a display going!

gweston

You are welcome back anytime. We have a couple of interests ... Sangria and the beach

Well the tank is in my living room/terrace so it's supposed to be the showpiece of the apartment.

I'll put up some more pictures later on.

Thanks again

Jan

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by luisgo

Jan mi pana que loquera!!! Wow.

I live in Puero Rico and I remember seen that tank at the Normandie hotel. It was maintained by El Gran Aquarium and it was a fish only tank.

Looking at the crane and what you did something tells me that you are a Fish Geek!! That is how my daugther call me, jeje..

Just to let you know there is an Aquarium Club in Puerto Rico and we have monthly meetings and a forum. You can google it "AMEPR.org" which stands for "Acuaristas Metro Este de Puerto Rico". I you need a local advise and some help just let us know.

Keep posting!!

luisgo

I thought they were maintained by Aquarium Specialties but maybe it was done by both at different times. I know it had a huge Moray Eel.

Thanks for letting me know about the club, I had no idea there was one. I already set aside the next meeting so I can attend.

I saw your post about my post here so thanks again for getting the word out.

I will be dropping by as I do need some advise. I've been away from the hobby for a few years now and it has changed a lot.

Muchas gracias

Jan

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by boozeman

Wepa Boricua !

I'll be following this thread with much interest as I plan to retire to PR in a few more years.
I realize that power outages are less common in SJ than in the rest of the island, but just in case may I suggest some sort of back up source .

boozeman

I've lived in my apt a little over a year now and I experince a power outage maybe once every two or three months. Still, with such a large tank this was one of my main concerns. My building has a generator but only for the common areas and not for the apartments.

Solution... I bought a Honda Generator EU6500iS (6500 watts, 120/240V
) It does not have a transfer switch so I went ahead and bought an automatic transfer switch and an auto start/stop switch. I have not finished the electrical work. It should be completed in the next couple of weeks.

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/p...lid=EU6500ISAN

http://www.apc.com/products/resource...se_sku=UTS10BI

http://atkinsonelectronics.com/manuf.../GSCM-mini.pdf

I plan to have as much as I can automated, even the water changes but this will take some time and a lot of thinking as in this area I'm a perfectionist.

Thanks for your post. Keep em coming.

Regards

Jan

[FajardoPR]

Brutal. Mas updates. Cool tank.

[mm.reefs]

Heeeaaa rayoooo' papaaa!!!

Awesome build. Although you have done only a few steps, I think they were gigantic and show the will you have to accomplish your project!!! You still have a thousand things to do, but that’s part of the fun!!!

Two suggestions (maybe you already have them in your “To Do” list):

• Protect the tile floor from the steel frame: Is inevitable to splash some saltwater from time to time on the floor and rust stains on tiles are permanent, so put something between the steel frame and floor to minimize this.
• Design a closed loop: Circulating 500g of water efficiently won’t be accomplished by installing some “Koralias”!!! Drill some holes in the back of the tank and connect a big circulation pump for this.

Congrats on a great start!!! Keep posting pictures!!!

PS: Also a member of AMEPR. Hope to see that tank some day in person!!!

[maelv]

Originally Posted by JanVelazquez

BTW.. I live in San Juan, have you been here?

Awesome build.....can't wait to see it up and running. I have family right across the pond from you in Catano and some in Levittown....

Next time I am in PR gonna have to come see it.. LOL

Suave....
ismael

[zaheda]

I love this thread and will tagging along. Nice to move tanks with forklifts and cranes. I dont trust the stand on top of the tiles, you should have removed it and place straight on the concrete floor.
Regards
Suhayl
South Africa

[jarrett shark]

How much does it cost to get a crane and have police block off the street in pr?
Great build and keep posting pics!!

[Dr. Fish]

That is insanely awesome.

Having to use a crane is impressive.

[janey]

Hi Jan
Yes i do have thread Local sites and i did post here but no one replied.
go here
http://www.renegadereefers.org/viewt...hp?f=48&t=9463
and you can search my statics and find my post here too.
.
I been to PR plenty of times, My dad lives out there in Carolina and i have many family memebers out there all over.. LOL.
Right now i'm having a custom sump being built for me. Mind u have 3 other but they won't work with what i plan to do..

Post pic as you go along .. Oh
And Isn't Puerto Rico #1 of the most diversed ecosystems in the World...
OK maybe i'm exaggerating.... But I heard they have a beautiful reef out there.
Oh and i have Gone scuba diving several times in Farhado...

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by FajardoPR

Brutal. Mas updates. Cool tank.

Gracias

I will keep posting more updates as they come up.

Thanks

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by mm.reefs

Heeeaaa rayoooo' papaaa!!!

Awesome build. Although you have done only a few steps, I think they were gigantic and show the will you have to accomplish your project!!! You still have a thousand things to do, but that’s part of the fun!!!

Two suggestions (maybe you already have them in your “To Do” list):

• Protect the tile floor from the steel frame: Is inevitable to splash some saltwater from time to time on the floor and rust stains on tiles are permanent, so put something between the steel frame and floor to minimize this.
• Design a closed loop: Circulating 500g of water efficiently won’t be accomplished by installing some “Koralias”!!! Drill some holes in the back of the tank and connect a big circulation pump for this.

Congrats on a great start!!! Keep posting pictures!!!

PS: Also a member of AMEPR. Hope to see that tank some day in person!!!

mm.reefs

Thanks for your feedback

You are right, I do have a 1000+ things to do. Sometimes I just sit in front of it for an hour thinking of things to do and different ways to do them. Just deciding the exact position took me some time. But as you say, it's part of the fun.

About your suggestion for the tile, I put plastic end caps en all 6 legs so the bare steel is not touching the floor. In addition, I am covering up the tank on all sides with doors and glass.

From the front you will only see the tank and the rest of the wall will be kind of like kitchen cabinets but covered in white glass.

From the bac you you will see only the glass as well but laminate instead of glass. I basically have a hallway about (36"x168") behind the aquarium for maintenance. Here I need to hide "somehow" al the equipment so that nothing is visible.

Regarding the closed loop, The plumbing and filtration system is something I think I need help with, the tank does not have an internal overflow nor is it drilled. I can incorporate this or keep using the external overflow box.

I will put it up for debate to see what the FC community thinks.

I will definatelly be attending the AMEPR meetings so I think we will be meeting very soon.

Thanks for your comments

Jan

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by RBTA99

very nice build

Hey RBTA99

Thanks ... Keep tagging along