What I have:
2 18" pacu that need a new tank NOW in a 210 glass tank
1 empty 180 plastic tank (no leaks)
1 640 gallon swimming pool outdoors to hold the pacu over until fall.
I need at least 500 gallons. Money isn't great right now, but the finacial future does look good. I just have to get there from here.
Note: all doors in the house are 32" wide. I have a 3 part window that could be yanked out of its frame (some siding on the house would have to come off too) in order to make a larger opening. Not a small consideration.
In about 5 years I expect a major change in my job and honestly do not know if I will have to sell my house and move or will get to stay here.
Option A: A ply wood build
My husband has designed a tank that will be in 2 sections 18" wide x 8' long, with a huge rubber set of gaskets connecting them. This allows the tank to be disassembled to get it through doors, and would allow for "expansion" should 540 gallons prove to not be enough. The 180 gallon plastic tank could be cut up and the plastic used for the viewing panes to reduce cost. Expected cost is about $2k with stand.
Option B: A pile of glass
A moderator on here has a pile of glass that when assembled would give us our 540 gallon tank. We would have to build the tank in place, and if we had to move, getting it out of the house would be a MAJOR task. We don't know how to build a structurally sound all glass tank, and would have to leak test this 540 gallon puddle inside our living room on wood floors. Expected cost is about $1350 with stand (cost includes an 1800 mile round trip to go get the pile of glass) and could be partially off set by selling the 180.
Option C: Go buy a tank and try to wrestle it into the house.
Getting it in is not going to be a small task, but odd are it won't leak. Expected Cost: A LOT! Probably $3-6,000.
The pacu will be out doors in a swimming pool until its too cold for that to be an option. I need to make this decision before its cold out and with enough time to act on the decision. What would you do?
2 18" pacu that need a new tank NOW in a 210 glass tank
1 empty 180 plastic tank (no leaks)
1 640 gallon swimming pool outdoors to hold the pacu over until fall.
I need at least 500 gallons. Money isn't great right now, but the finacial future does look good. I just have to get there from here.
Note: all doors in the house are 32" wide. I have a 3 part window that could be yanked out of its frame (some siding on the house would have to come off too) in order to make a larger opening. Not a small consideration.
In about 5 years I expect a major change in my job and honestly do not know if I will have to sell my house and move or will get to stay here.
Option A: A ply wood build
My husband has designed a tank that will be in 2 sections 18" wide x 8' long, with a huge rubber set of gaskets connecting them. This allows the tank to be disassembled to get it through doors, and would allow for "expansion" should 540 gallons prove to not be enough. The 180 gallon plastic tank could be cut up and the plastic used for the viewing panes to reduce cost. Expected cost is about $2k with stand.
Option B: A pile of glass
A moderator on here has a pile of glass that when assembled would give us our 540 gallon tank. We would have to build the tank in place, and if we had to move, getting it out of the house would be a MAJOR task. We don't know how to build a structurally sound all glass tank, and would have to leak test this 540 gallon puddle inside our living room on wood floors. Expected cost is about $1350 with stand (cost includes an 1800 mile round trip to go get the pile of glass) and could be partially off set by selling the 180.
Option C: Go buy a tank and try to wrestle it into the house.
Getting it in is not going to be a small task, but odd are it won't leak. Expected Cost: A LOT! Probably $3-6,000.
The pacu will be out doors in a swimming pool until its too cold for that to be an option. I need to make this decision before its cold out and with enough time to act on the decision. What would you do?
