500G Reef Tank in Puerto Rico

[JanVelazquez]

Hi everyone

I would like to start by congratulating Ching Chai and Peter (nineball) for their incredible tanks. You have truly inspired me to create a project to be proud of.

I acquired two identical tanks from a hotel that was closing down but I am just setting up one in my apartment do to space limitations. The tanks measure (96"w x 44"h x 29"d) with 3/4" thick glass.

They are quite heavy and transporting them was a nightmare. I live in a high rise building on the 15th floor and (the one I kept) had to be lifted with a crane 150' because it would not fit on the elevator. It has a steel reinforced stand and it came with lamps, pumps, chiller and filter.

I have been away from the hobby for quite some time now and I am looking for advice from the RC community.

Best Regards to all;

Jan

[GiantBen]

Sounds awesome. Hope it doesn't end up on the 14th floor when you fill it

[dave.m]

Agreed. 96"L x 44"W x 29"H = 530 gal US is a really big tank. I hope you checked with the people who own/operate your building about where you intend to install it.

Dave.M

[nuccadoc]

Thanks for sharing your project, hope all goes well. Peter and Ching are great inspirations! 44" high, that's a really tall tank. Any pics?

[JanVelazquez]

GiantBen, I was concerned about that so I brought in a structural engineer who gave me the go ahead. It is located between two columns and the building itself is made of concrete and rebar. Still, it should weight aroung 6000lbs full.

I'm in the top two floors so if it falls down it will end up in my dining room.

Let's hope for the best.

Thanks ... Jan

[dzfish17]

This should be fun. I love tall tanks even though they are harder to aquascape and do maintenance on. Will you be running a closed loop on the tank?

[JanVelazquez]

Dave thanks for the reply. When I saw them I knew I had to buy them.

I did inform the building administration but I never told them the size

I brought in a structural engineer who gave me the OK so I filled it up and the floor is still there.

I also brought up a hot tub roughly the same size. I'll put up some pictures so you can see.

Thanks

Jan

[Bax]

Originally Posted by dave.m

Agreed. 96"L x 44"W x 29"H = 530 gal US is a really big tank. I hope you checked with the people who own/operate your building about where you intend to install it.

Dave.M

Most building in PR are 100% concrete

[JanVelazquez]

Scott. Here are the pics you requested.

And yes... Peter and Ching are my inspiration. I dont have their budget but lets see what I can come up with.

The Hotel I got them from


Ripping them out of the lobby bar


I had to get a forklift because 10 people could not lift it


Almost out


Its finally out of the wall


First one out, onto the next one.


Both tanks on the truck and the hot tub


The crane


View of the crane from my apt


My building

[JanVelazquez]

We have lift off


Once it reached the top floor


Almost


Almost


Successfull landing. Let's move it now.


Inside my living room

[JanVelazquez]

That's me with my new toy


The hot tub :P

[James404]

Whenever theres a crane involved...you know the build is going to be awesome, subbed!

[Clintonramsey]

Wow that thing is huge to be upstairs. Glad to see the lift went well that could have been really bad.

[JanVelazquez]

Dave (Z-man)

Initially I will be using the equipment that came with the tank. It has a 90G sump that was used with bio balls. I will be changing that to another method. Tha's where I am looking for advice.

I have an overflow box and several GenX pumps.

Do to space limitations I will be purchasing a custom sump that is divided in sections.

Right now I just have it up on the stand and I plant to close off the wall and make a small room behind the aquarium for maintenance and storage.

I will also have a 55G Drum (plumbed) for water changes.

What so you guys think?

Regards

Jan

[JanVelazquez]

James404... The day I moved it from the hotel to my house was one of the longest days of my life. Thanks for your reply.

Clinton... The crane operators did a great job. 150' up in the air with the wind was tough but they made it happen.

[JanVelazquez]

This is how was able to get it from the floor to the stand. This is basically the summary pictures but it took me a full day of work. Moving 1000lbs is not easy at all.

[chrisv]

Are you planning to re-seal that? I would be pretty worried about the seal after that much stress.

[chrisv]

is your ceramic tile directly on concrete?

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by chrisv

Are you planning to re-seal that? I would be pretty worried about the seal after that much stress.

The seals are intact. I have two of these tanks and they are both filled up and holding up fine. No leaks at all.

The glass has to be cleaned as it has some calcium deposit but I was looking online and found that with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar it comes out with some elbow grease.

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by chrisv

is your ceramic tile directly on concrete?

The ceramic tile is glued directly to the floor. It is completelly filled up and holding fine with no cracks.

Also.. I put some plastic end caps on the legs of the stand.

Why do you ask?

[chrisv]

Originally Posted by JanVelazquez

The glass has to be cleaned as it has some calcium deposit but I was looking online and found that with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar it comes out with some elbow grease.

straight vinegar will work MUCH better. Baking soda is a weak base, vinegar is a weak acid. when you mix them the baking soda neutralizes the acid in the vinegar.

I'm so glad its holding. I only mentioned the sealing issue because i moved a second hand 75 g. and apparently the stress of the move was enough to compromise the integrity of the silicone. I filled it and wen tot bed. when i woke up the next day there were 75 gallons of water on my floor.

[chrisv]

Originally Posted by JanVelazquez

The ceramic tile is glued directly to the floor. It is completelly filled up and holding fine with no cracks.

Also.. I put some plastic end caps on the legs of the stand.

Why do you ask?

I only ask about this because with your current stand, there are six points of contact. That means that each leg holds 1000 pounds in a pretty small area. While the stand is probably fine to hold the weight, I worry about the actual construction of the apartment. If the tile has been laid directly on top of the concrete and rebar that you mentioned you should be fine. if there is an elevated floor with plywood subfloor, things could get sticky. I might have been inclined to put beams around the base of the stand so that the bottom looked like the top to better distribute the weight.

[JanVelazquez]

Originally Posted by chrisv

I only ask about this because with your current stand, there are six points of contact. That means that each leg holds 1000 pounds in a pretty small area. While the stand is probably fine to hold the weight, I worry about the actual construction of the apartment. If the tile has been laid directly on top of the concrete and rebar that you mentioned you should be fine. if there is an elevated floor with plywood subfloor, things could get sticky. I might have been inclined to put beams around the base of the stand so that the bottom looked like the top to better distribute the weight.

chrisv ... thanks for your commets. I'll try the vinegar to see how it goes.

as far as the weight issue, the building is completely made of reinforced concrete and rebar, the subfloor measures 8". It is also located between two structural support columns.

There is no wood at all.

The tile is basically italian tile with tile glue and grout.

Thanks again

Jan

[chrisv]

sweet! you have yourself a great building for reef tanks. I am JEALOUS. My tank weighs far less and i worry every day. I live in an old house in boston that makes me worry about each extra pound.

It looks like you're off to a great start. Good luck with your build and keep posting those pics!

[Ceebuano]

wow can't wait for this tank to come alive