thoughts on monster glass tank options and moving them down stairs...

[adamsfishes]

Hi all,

I'm trying to finalize my decision on my next aquarium, which will be at least 170-180 gallons, but perhaps as big as 245. The more I think about it, the bigger I want to make it of course. The two main issues I'm dealing with are that the aquarium would need to be moved downstairs into the basement, and the door to the basement is narrow, only 27". Unfortunately, our basement is underground so there is no walk out door.

I also really kinda want starphire glass on the front and sides.

I originally was going to get something in the 120-125 range, then decided I wasn't going to go any smaller than 72x24x24".

The "cheap" option would be to get a 72.5x24.5x25.5 Aqueon 180 and a nice R&J Enterprises stand. It holds about 182 gallons. This tank weighs "only" 282 pounds, and the combo would cost about $1800. It's both the cheapest and easiest to move, plus I don't have to build anything.

I'm also looking at customaquariums.com, which is where I'll order if I decide to get starphire or decide to go bigger than 180. To get a similar sized aquarium to the Aqueon but with starphire would cost $3100 shipped including a custom black painted stand. This tank would be 72x24x24 and hold 170 gallons.

I've decided the biggest I will consider is 84x30x24, which holds 245 gallons, and it weighs 400 pounds! It would cost about $2700 with starphire and shipping just for the tank. I would build a stand in this case since a 30" stand won't fit through the door, so the total cost would be the same or less as buying a 72x24x24 with stand from customaquariums.com.

I'm really concerned about moving a 400 pound aquarium through a 27" door any down a flight of stairs. It just doesn't seem safe. Only one person can fit through that door at a time. An aquarium that size could crush a person. That wouldn't be cool. Is there a safe way to do a move like this?

I really would prefer to bigger aquarium because it opens up a lot of options with what I could potentially keep compared to a 180. With the big tank, umbee, dovii or cichla would be options. Or groups of bigger cichlids. And the cost different between spending $1800 and $3000 isn't a huge deal for something I plan to keep for a long time. Of course I'd always rather spend less (and have more money for other hobbies), but I can afford it either way.

Would appreciate any thoughts you have on these options or especially the moving part. I know a lot of folks here have experience with big tanks and how to move them.

PS. I know acrylic is lighter, but I don't like acrylic. I like glass.

 

[tlindsey]

Hi all,

I'm trying to finalize my decision on my next aquarium, which will be at least 170-180 gallons, but perhaps as big as 245. The more I think about it, the bigger I want to make it of course. The two main issues I'm dealing with are that the aquarium would need to be moved downstairs into the basement, and the door to the basement is narrow, only 27". Unfortunately, our basement is underground so there is no walk out door.

I also really kinda want starphire glass on the front and sides.

I originally was going to get something in the 120-125 range, then decided I wasn't going to go any smaller than 72x24x24".

The "cheap" option would be to get a 72.5x24.5x25.5 Aqueon 180 and a nice R&J Enterprises stand. It holds about 182 gallons. This tank weighs "only" 282 pounds, and the combo would cost about $1800. It's both the cheapest and easiest to move, plus I don't have to build anything.

I'm also looking at customaquariums.com, which is where I'll order if I decide to get starphire or decide to go bigger than 180. To get a similar sized aquarium to the Aqueon but with starphire would cost $3100 shipped including a custom black painted stand. This tank would be 72x24x24 and hold 170 gallons.

I've decided the biggest I will consider is 84x30x24, which holds 245 gallons, and it weighs 400 pounds! It would cost about $2700 with starphire and shipping just for the tank. I would build a stand in this case since a 30" stand won't fit through the door, so the total cost would be the same or less as buying a 72x24x24 with stand from customaquariums.com.

I'm really concerned about moving a 400 pound aquarium through a 27" door any down a flight of stairs. It just doesn't seem safe. Only one person can fit through that door at a time. An aquarium that size could crush a person. That wouldn't be cool. Is there a safe way to do a move like this?

I really would prefer to bigger aquarium because it opens up a lot of options with what I could potentially keep compared to a 180. With the big tank, umbee, dovii or cichla would be options. Or groups of bigger cichlids. And the cost different between spending $1800 and $3000 isn't a huge deal for something I plan to keep for a long time. Of course I'd always rather spend less (and have more money for other hobbies), but I can afford it either way.

Would appreciate any thoughts you have on these options or especially the moving part. I know a lot of folks here have experience with big tanks and how to move them.

PS. I know acrylic is lighter, but I don't like acrylic. I like glass.

A 180 gallon with dimension of 72"×24"×24"will fit through. Hire 4 strong people. Let the 2 strongest men walk it down the staircase. I have a 180 gallon built by All Glass and it is a little heavier than the 180's built today. Brother helped me carry down the stairs into the basement.

 

[duanes]

I have a 180, an old one, bought used with thick glass. Took 4 guys to move it.
After 3 years fishes, a new (used) 180.
Luckily there were only a few turns, because the biggest problem in moving them is a slight twist that can cause stress cracks.
Its not only the door width, but any turns after it gets in the basement, and how much space to make them.
I personally think a 180 is too small for adult dovii, or an umbi, its maybe a good grow out size until about 14", but then a tank over 300 gallons would be apropos.
In a six ft tank (like a 180) an adult 24" fish can only move 2 body lengths length wise, and just barely turn around width, hardly what I'd call enough room to exercise and be healthy.

 

[Steve_C]

As someone whom has had to move a 450lb tank (my old 7ft 265g glass tank) down a flight of stairs to my basement, I will say this, either go acrylic or go smaller. It took 4 guys to move mine downstairs, and it was a real back breaker of a job and was all we could do to get it downstairs in one piece. And we weren't little guys, I'm 6'5" 240lbs but when you have that much weight at an angle in a small confined space, it's a nightmare. Plus big tanks don't take well to being moved, it's really hard on the seals. Mine did not leak when I bought it from a friend, yet it did after we took it downstairs at my house.

After that tank my next big one (my 240g I now have) Is acrylic (about 200lbs) was a breeze for two of us to take downstairs. I know you said you don't like acrylic for some reason, but I think once you try to take a 400lb+ tank down a flight of stairs you will quickly change your mind on acrylic! LOL

 

[TwoHedWlf]

So, Get a measuring tape, figure out the longest length you can get down the stairs and then build the tank in place! You can probably much more easily get larger panes down the stairs than a whole tank.

 

[duanes]

7:48Doviis with Umbee teaser

 

[adamsfishes]

I have a 180, an old one, bought used with thick glass. Took 4 guys to move it.
After 3 years fishes, a new (used) 180.
Luckily there were only a few turns, because the biggest problem in moving them is a slight twist that can cause stress cracks.
Its not only the door width, but any turns after it gets in the basement, and how much space to make them.
I personally think a 180 is too small for adult dovii, or an umbi, its maybe a good grow out size until about 14", but then a tank over 300 gallons would be apropos.
In a six ft tank (like a 180) an adult 24" fish can only move 2 body lengths length wise, and just barely turn around width, hardly what I'd call enough room to exercise and be healthy.

Ha, that is quite the adventure your 180 went through. Great story.

For the record, I wouldn't put a 24" fish in a 180. I mentioned those fish in the context of the 84x30, but even that would be pushing it with a dovii or umbee.

 

[TheReefer]

Agreed, If you can, hire a moving company that specializes in moving large furniture/pianos. I was lucky in that I never had to move any super large ones into weird/awkward places. I also would like to say that for a dovii/umbee a 180 is too small, a black nasty can go in a 180 though if you are looking for larger cichlids and stuff

 

[adamsfishes]

As someone whom has had to move a 450lb tank (my old 7ft 265g glass tank) down a flight of stairs to my basement, I will say this, either go acrylic or go smaller. It took 4 guys to move mine downstairs, and it was a real back breaker of a job and was all we could do to get it downstairs in one piece. And we weren't little guys, I'm 6'5" 240lbs but when you have that much weight at an angle in a small confined space, it's a nightmare. Plus big tanks don't take well to being moved, it's really hard on the seals. Mine did not leak when I bought it from a friend, yet it did after we took it downstairs at my house.

After that tank my next big one (my 240g I now have) Is acrylic (about 200lbs) was a breeze for two of us to take downstairs. I know you said you don't like acrylic for some reason, but I think once you try to take a 400lb+ tank down a flight of stairs you will quickly change your mind on acrylic! LOL

I've been looking at acrylics. Truvu caught my eye. If I thought I had space for an 8-footer, this would definitely tempt me:

https://truvuaquariums.com/collecti...reshwater-acrylic-aquarium-fish-tank-96x30x24

I'm mostly worried about scratches with acrylic. I know how easily the material scratches as I've used it a ton in my robotics teams. It is a pretty nice material though. I just know how I am ... I get really upset when I get a little scratch in my glass tank. I think I'd go insane with an acrylic!

 

[adamsfishes]

So, Get a measuring tape, figure out the longest length you can get down the stairs and then build the tank in place! You can probably much more easily get larger panes down the stairs than a whole tank.

I did think about this. I'm almost tempted to do it. I'm pretty sure customaquariums will sell their aluminum frames to spec, so it would be fairly easy (but a bit expensive) to frame it. I've even thought about how I would build wooden jigs to hold it together while drying...

The main problem is I have no experience with this. I think with some patience I could pull it off, but I'm paranoid it would end up leaking. Also, my wife would probably lose her mind lol...