2000G Saltwater Aquarium - Page 2

CStrickland · 03/30/2016, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71xlch

No offense but I'd be a bit ****ed if I hired someone for a tank only to find out they are surfing a forum on how to do what I asked.

Me too.
Everybody starts someplace, and it's good you are asking for help. It just isn't clear in the first post that you were upfront with the customer about the fact that you've not done this before. I guess they have a responsibility to ask too. If I were making an investment like that, that can affect the structural integrity of the house, I'd find someone with experience.

But if you are honest with the customer that you will be learning as you go, and they understand the risk that entails, it's all good.

Either way, good luck. If you haven't visited the large tank subforum, there's probs lots of good info for you in there http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=252

jrp1588 · 03/30/2016, 09:22 AM

How is anyone supposed to get experience if they don't do the research try in the first place? Should all the newbies on the forum just pay a more experienced reefer to come over and set up for them? Where I work, we get all kinds of off the wall requests we've never done before. You research, get it done, learn from the experience, and confidently tell the next person in line that "yes, I can do that."

username in use · 03/30/2016, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrp1588

You research, get it done, learn from the experience, and confidently tell the next person in line that "yes, I can do that."

Truth

LiquidAquariums · 03/30/2016, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71xlch

It was p I s $ e d not f'd. While it was sensored I believe the front p was still there. I can see where you would get upset if it started with a f.

Yeah, there is no letter in the front, I assumed F. All good, I am working on a partnership to tackle and learn from these large tank requests.

LiquidAquariums · 03/30/2016, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CStrickland

Me too.
Everybody starts someplace, and it's good you are asking for help. It just isn't clear in the first post that you were upfront with the customer about the fact that you've not done this before. I guess they have a responsibility to ask too. If I were making an investment like that, that can affect the structural integrity of the house, I'd find someone with experience.

But if you are honest with the customer that you will be learning as you go, and they understand the risk that entails, it's all good.

Either way, good luck. If you haven't visited the large tank subforum, there's probs lots of good info for you in there http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=252

To clear up any confusion, I was contacted by the renovation contractor sourcing out a new aquarium installation company, as his previous installer has retired. I have not spoken to the customer, barely have any details on the job either, so thats why I got right into it to start my research.

As I stated previously, I would not take on this large of a job without the assistance of a company that has done them before. I see it as an opportunity to learn and grow and possibly handle them without assistance in the future.

Thanks for the tips and forum link!

LiquidAquariums · 03/30/2016, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrp1588

How is anyone supposed to get experience if they don't do the research try in the first place? Should all the newbies on the forum just pay a more experienced reefer to come over and set up for them? Where I work, we get all kinds of off the wall requests we've never done before. You research, get it done, learn from the experience, and confidently tell the next person in line that "yes, I can do that."

Very true, thanks for the positive feedback.

Bono · 03/30/2016, 01:23 PM

I see both sides and if asked to build a 2000 gal tank I'd be pretty excited to try but at the same time if I was building a house I don't think I would chose a contractor who hadn't built one before but was doing research online to get ideas and advise.

mntbiker2008 · 03/30/2016, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bat21

Just don't put any tangs in there. They need room to swim.

brett559 · 03/30/2016, 02:20 PM

Call Wayde and Brett at ATM. They'll help you with a phone booth, or skateboard ramp, or whatever idiotic - I mean awesome design you could hope for!

dkeller_nc · 03/30/2016, 02:32 PM

Right off the bat I can suggest that there's some mis-matches with the expectations of the installer/renovator/customer. If the tank itself is $50k (presuming an empty tank, no rock work or inserts), it's highly unlikely the whole project will come in at $60k - $75k.

Here are just some of the considerations:

An upgraded HVAC with dehumidification capabilities/controls - this will be an absolute must if this is going into a finished basement with comfortable seating, electronics, etc...

A suitably sized backup generator with an ATS - probably in the 12kw range, or 20kw range if the customer elects to backup the residence in addition to the fish tank. If the residence already has natural gas, installation won't be too excessive. If not, one would have to factor in either running natural gas lines, or installing a large propane or diesel tank.

Complete wiring job, including a separate sub-panel for the tank.

Build-out of equipment room - a tank this large isn't going to have all of the equipment under the stand.

Approximately speaking, $10k - $20k in equipment, depending on lighting choice and how "high end" the equipment is.

Then, of course, is the rockwork installation if it's going to be a reef and the animals, but presumably, this would be considered "extra".

03/30/2016, 01:23 PM	#32
Bono Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Lakewood Ranch Fl. Posts: 872	I see both sides and if asked to build a 2000 gal tank I'd be pretty excited to try but at the same time if I was building a house I don't think I would chose a contractor who hadn't built one before but was doing research online to get ideas and advise. __________________ Living it up in Florida Current Tank Info: 210 gal, 300lbs LR, Aquamaxx Skimmer, 3x Reefbreeders LED's & T5's.

03/30/2016, 09:22 AM	#27
jrp1588 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 1,864	How is anyone supposed to get experience if they don't do the research try in the first place? Should all the newbies on the forum just pay a more experienced reefer to come over and set up for them? Where I work, we get all kinds of off the wall requests we've never done before. You research, get it done, learn from the experience, and confidently tell the next person in line that "yes, I can do that."

03/30/2016, 02:20 PM	#34
brett559 In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 1,790	Call Wayde and Brett at ATM. They'll help you with a phone booth, or skateboard ramp, or whatever idiotic - I mean awesome design you could hope for!

03/30/2016, 02:32 PM	#35
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	Right off the bat I can suggest that there's some mis-matches with the expectations of the installer/renovator/customer. If the tank itself is $50k (presuming an empty tank, no rock work or inserts), it's highly unlikely the whole project will come in at $60k - $75k. Here are just some of the considerations: An upgraded HVAC with dehumidification capabilities/controls - this will be an absolute must if this is going into a finished basement with comfortable seating, electronics, etc... A suitably sized backup generator with an ATS - probably in the 12kw range, or 20kw range if the customer elects to backup the residence in addition to the fish tank. If the residence already has natural gas, installation won't be too excessive. If not, one would have to factor in either running natural gas lines, or installing a large propane or diesel tank. Complete wiring job, including a separate sub-panel for the tank. Build-out of equipment room - a tank this large isn't going to have all of the equipment under the stand. Approximately speaking, $10k - $20k in equipment, depending on lighting choice and how "high end" the equipment is. Then, of course, is the rockwork installation if it's going to be a reef and the animals, but presumably, this would be considered "extra".