What do I ask professional tank installer?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
RE: tank & stand dimensions: my 450gal is 96"L x 36"W x 30"H so could not fit through even our 36" doorways. Luckily have some double french doors I could bring it in through.
RE: cleaning large tanks: one of the posts above mentions this. IMO there's a difference cleaning a 30"H (or larger) tank compared to smaller tanks. When cleaning my 30" H 450gal I can no longer clean the inside using just a step stool and a rag. I now have to use a 5 foot ladder and lean part way into the tank when I need to wipe the walls, which I like to do about every 4-6 weeks. I can get around this at times by using an acrylic-safe algae scraper to clean all the walls but I still like use my hand + wash rag which is quicker and does a much better job.
Looks like from your dimensions not fitting, I might be limited to less than that. I'll email fishtanksdirect and see if they have any installers they work with in my state.

Edit:
Just fired off an email. One thing I just noticed looking on their site is sales tax is only charged for Florida orders. That like an 8-10% savings on 3500-6k vs getting it local. Old town aquarium is based in Chicago so they are 10% (possible a few tenths if a percentage more).
 
Last edited:
I've stepped into this thread a couple times and stepped back out as I wasn't sure I could add anything that might be of value... probably because the premise seems just a little unusual to me as I wouldn't be inclined to ask much but would be prepared to tell them what I want. I'm guessing you may have trouble visualizing what you're hoping to have installed and if that's the case my suggestion would be to build a replica of if from cardboard. Take the measurements you think are appropriate from your available space and then head for Home Depot and ask them for a couple of refrigerator boxes or similar. You'll need a bunch of tape, a razor knife, a straight edge or yard stick, a sharpie, a tape measure and those cartons.

Make a box the size of the aquarium you hope to have and walk that same box in an out of the doors and elevator, etc. to make sure it fits. Put it in the spot you intend the tank to go and ask yourself if you still have room for exterior tank plumbing and other aspects important to you. At the same time determine how you'll want the installation contractor to plumb the tank. My recommendation would be external w/ bulkheads up high to minimize leaked volume where possible. If you're in a bldg w/ an elevator there's likely someone below that wouldn't want your tank water on their leather couch, etc.

With that process you may find that some of your questions are answered and maybe then you could better articulate your request to contractors.

IMG_5247.jpg
 
Verify the amount of bowing your acrylic tank will have. Acrylic tanks bow more than glass. So you don't get any surprises.
 
Significant deflection was more common in the old school acrylic tanks and the reason is directly tied to the question above. Deflection (or bowing) under pressure looks bad and more of it looks worse. The acceptable deflection is as near zero as reasonably possible.

Example... a 3/8" acrylic front panel at that size will bow like a balloon.

Half inch would bow too much due to the pressure at 30" head.

I suspect 3/4 will be in the neighborhood of practical though I'm far from a tank builder. I have owned a ton of them and several have been acrylic.

Sort of a funny tangent... the old school thinner walled tanks always looked a little cheesy but the true issue became more obvious when they were used in conjunction w/ old school HID marine lighting. That would prematurely age the acrylic and make it brittle taking what was once an unsightly bowing problem and making it a heck of a lot worse. LED has eliminated much of that concern and modern acrylic aquarium building practices have reduced the problem yet again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: fishguy1978
Just found out about Eddie who was a solid help over at Old Town Aquarium he now has a shop of his own in the Galewood neighborhood in Chicago. He might be able to give you a solid lead on their tank makers if that would make you comfortable stopping by a local shop if you are a Chicago resident

 
  • Like
Reactions: Cardeater
Just found out about Eddie who was a solid help over at Old Town Aquarium he now has a shop of his own in the Galewood neighborhood in Chicago. He might be able to give you a solid lead on their tank makers if that would make you comfortable stopping by a local shop if you are a Chicago resident

Thanks. Didn't even know they opened; that's not too far from me. I'll check out the store sometime.
 
Thanks. Didn't even know they opened; that's not too far from me. I'll check out the store sometime.

Ditto just found out today. Just happened to be chatting with a vendor who is selling at GCCA swap for preordering for this Sunday and thats how I just found out- small world.
 
I finally got a chance to stop by Old Town Aquarium. I talked to the owner and I'm impressed by conversation with him.

He uses an acrylic manufacturer in Michigan. I forgot the name. Lifetime warranty. I asked if it was competitive with fish tank directs and he said he doesn't know as he deals only with that place and doesn't check retail competitors.

I suspect fish tank direct is cheaper as they're the best priced I've seen. I think once I have my final measurements, I'd compare the prices just to see how much of a premium I'm paying. It sounds like he would do install if I ordered elsewhere but I wouldn't want to deal with having it delivered and being responsible for inspecting it and bringing it upstairs myself.

If I ordered through them from their manufacturer, it would be delivered to the store where they would do some initial work and then they'd bring it up to my place for install.

I asked about how big a tank the floor might hold. I lieked that he said he could refer me to a structural engineer bc he can't tell me it would be good or wouldn't be good. A less professional place might give a guesstimate which I wouldn't want. He knows not to assume liability that way.

My friend who is a builder said he asked his friend who knows concrete floors and thinks I'd be good for what would probably fit through the door.

I was told a structural engineer consult would cost a few hundred if I wanted to get the info for a consult. I might just do it for piece of mind and so I can show that in the event that something happened.

I asked about flooring and they said they just do the tank but I either have to remove the carpeting or do tile or whatever myself or they can recommend contractors. They deal with installing the tank and plumbing it.

As I understand it, when I'm serious, I can give him measurements and get some pricing estimates. When I'm really ready, he can schedule a site visit and then they'd want 50% deposit and then the rest when everything is complete.

Lead time, if I remember correctly was probably about 2-3 months for tank to be built. He said setup would probably take 2-3 days.

I'm glad I went in bc now I feel like I got the process started.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
Good to hear and I hope everything goes well when you proceed with the project.

I would definitely follow through with the structural engineer and get his full report when you reach that point. I'm sure once the project is completed you plan on having the setup there for many years. I think it's important to find out how it will stand up to natural events. My 450gal is on a first floor concrete foundation; we experienced a minor earthquake a few years back (just the 3rd occurrence in my lifetime) and my tank was swaying and significant water was splashing out on the floor. It was quite a sight to see. I think you mentioned your setup will be on a 2nd floor which I'm thinking would have more sway effect during an earthquake, for example. I think it's worth mentioning/inquiring about with the structural engineer.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
MonsterFishKeepers.com