What aquarium company to buy from? - Page 2

rownsurf · 03/12/2012, 08:48 PM

Really appreciate all the info everyone..

DanK and RpLoaded, though I'm leaning towards glass, the weight difference may sway me back now that I've thought through this some more. I was thinking about where I'd put a new tank (to go along with a new house..soon..I hope)...With just a 29 and 75g I've never worried too much about placement, but when you get into the 150-200 g range do you have to be concerned about the floor supporting it? Are any types of foundation or floors more or less able to handle the weight at that size? Would acrylic make a difference?

Palting, good idea on printing out the whole online setup and comparing it to what the store offer. Maybe I'd have better luck! Awesome story with the good service from...can't beat that.

Regarding drilling, I plan to avoid it at all costs. I'm not the best handyman so wouldn't even risk it!

DanK13 · 03/13/2012, 05:38 AM

rown, supporting your floor for a 200g would be a good idea depending on the quality of the construction of the house. Most homes are able to take the weight of a water bed but a tank is a little different even tho it has a smaller footprint. Think of it as someone stepping on your foot with a boot versus a high heel. If your building a new house or moving into a different one then I would support it from the floor below with a floor joist support. The added insurance against floor sagging is worth it compared to a down the road repair. Acrylic would be a negligible weight difference and estimate a 200g to have roughly 2100lbs in that area of your floor, 400ish lbs dry tank and 1700ish lbs saltwater. The acrylic would only be like 1900ish lbs. I use a rule of thumb that acrylic is half the weight of glass give or take depending of thicknesses and such. It puts you in the ballpark

dakineacct · 03/13/2012, 08:25 AM

With a 200 gallon tank, weight, strength of the floor and placement of the tank are definitely considerations. And as previous poster said the difference in weight between glass and acrylic is negligible compared to the weight of the entire system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken1977

Depends on where you are located. There are many custom aquarium builders that will build you tank to your specs at the same price as marine land aquarium.

Is this true? I can buy a Marineland 120 reef ready for $433 locally, would a custom builder make one for the same price?

03/13/2012, 05:38 AM	#27
DanK13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: MA Posts: 153	rown, supporting your floor for a 200g would be a good idea depending on the quality of the construction of the house. Most homes are able to take the weight of a water bed but a tank is a little different even tho it has a smaller footprint. Think of it as someone stepping on your foot with a boot versus a high heel. If your building a new house or moving into a different one then I would support it from the floor below with a floor joist support. The added insurance against floor sagging is worth it compared to a down the road repair. Acrylic would be a negligible weight difference and estimate a 200g to have roughly 2100lbs in that area of your floor, 400ish lbs dry tank and 1700ish lbs saltwater. The acrylic would only be like 1900ish lbs. I use a rule of thumb that acrylic is half the weight of glass give or take depending of thicknesses and such. It puts you in the ballpark __________________ Never try to understand water and electricity. The more you think you know the less you do. Sweet! I just won a bid to install a 5500gal system in paradise. Current Tank Info: Big

03/12/2012, 08:48 PM	#26
rownsurf Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Norfolk, Va Posts: 47	Really appreciate all the info everyone.. DanK and RpLoaded, though I'm leaning towards glass, the weight difference may sway me back now that I've thought through this some more. I was thinking about where I'd put a new tank (to go along with a new house..soon..I hope)...With just a 29 and 75g I've never worried too much about placement, but when you get into the 150-200 g range do you have to be concerned about the floor supporting it? Are any types of foundation or floors more or less able to handle the weight at that size? Would acrylic make a difference? Palting, good idea on printing out the whole online setup and comparing it to what the store offer. Maybe I'd have better luck! Awesome story with the good service from...can't beat that. Regarding drilling, I plan to avoid it at all costs. I'm not the best handyman so wouldn't even risk it!