kilmca Posted November 19, 2007 Share Posted November 19, 2007 I'm looking to setup (2) 225 gallon 72" x 30" x 24" reef tanks side by side and I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on this plan. The tanks will be separated by about 10" because of a structural column that would be too expensive to move. I was looking into doing (1) 12' or 10' tank but the cost of the tank is very high and I would have to modify the house to get it in place. So the next best thing would be to connect (2) tanks with a 6" diameter pipe and bulkheads. My only concern is if large tangs would be willing to swim through a 6" diameter pipe? Anyone else have any experience connecting (2) tanks in this manner? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 There is a thread over at RC where a guy connected his 2 tanks like this with clear pipe. It took some time to get the fish used to swimming thru it, but eventually all of them made the trips back and forth no prob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Welcome to the site. Very interesting idea, I would love to see it when it is done. Where in OC are you located? I also live in OC, near the hospital, old HS, and near Eastham school. OC reefers unite! dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmca Posted November 20, 2007 Author Share Posted November 20, 2007 Very close! That's amazing I live in that same area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I hope the tanks will be acrylic. a 6" bulkhead would probably require a 8" hole. if it were glass, I'd be worried about structural integrity for anything over a 3" hole. It would be pretty cool though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmca Posted November 21, 2007 Author Share Posted November 21, 2007 Looking at my options Well i'm looking into both glass and acrylic. I have two estimates back so far. Miracles Aquariums with starfire glass on the front panel estimate is $5000. I talked to them about a 8" diameter hole in the side panel of the tank and they said they would drill the hole in the side panels and then temper the side panels to make sure they were structurally sound. Cal Aquaria estimate is $6685 for the two tanks, in acrylic. I also have the option of going with one 10' tank or a 12' tank. Cal Aquaria also gave me estimates on those tanks and they are $5685 for the 10' tank and $6555 for the 12' tank. The 10' and 12' tank would have a notch in the front to go around a structural column in my house. See picture of tank location. The tv unit that is in the picture isn't actually there, it's just there from when we moving in. If you can't tell but there is a column behind the tv unit. Also see picture of current tank which is a TruVu 96" long x 24" wide x 20" deep tank which will have to be tore down before new tanks are placed. The picture was taken when it was first setup, it's not a recent picture. I don't have a current pic of my tank on my work computer but i'll post one when I get home. The problem with the 10' or 12' tank is getting the tank in place. I'm going to have to cut wood studs and drywall just to get the tank in place. That's another reason i'm looking at doing 2 tanks, that and I thought it might be less expensive. I'm waiting on a few more estimates. I'm thinking that the estimate from Envision Acrylics(in Portland) is going to be the most affordable since i won't have to pay for shipping, but we'll see. The 6" diamter bulkheads are $300 a piece and of course I need 2 of them so I have to add that into the cost of the setup too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronjunior Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Sounds cool. I'd ask James if he could just glue the tanks together on the spot if you were to do 2. Just connect the 2 large diameter holes with clear acrylic tubes. If you had a corner wall, you could do them in a V and use an elbow to connect. If you didn't connect the 2, you could have an agressive reef and a non. If you pull the connection off, I'd always feed the fish right above the connection so you have them trained to feed close to that built in fish trap:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 I would highly recommend acrylic when you are talking 10+ feet on a tank, I think it will be a very big challenge to get that completely level to keep the tank from cracking... James at Envision is the best, I would highly recommend him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 first, Ive got a 4 inch sch 80 bulkhead id sell ya for $40.00 if you wanted to go a little smaller. Although this idea would be cool looking, for 5grand id bet you could have James build you a monster tank and be able to pay someone to remove and reinstall a window to get the tank in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 also, is that room in a basement? how do you know for sure its a load berring beam and not just some old closets with the doors removed? If it is a load berring wall why couldent you center a 10 foot tank in the hole and move the support to eather side of the tank so whare there was one now theres two? You add the two side posts then remove the center one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronjunior Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 Another idea, if these are what you're wanting How about putting the tank in front of the beam and enclose the closet/alcove into a sump/frag room? All kinds of room for the best equipment in there. Also, I would suggest we have a club meeting at your house when the tank is in. If you need help installing, I'd be willing to help, just ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmca Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 Lots of work to move post! I've looked into moving the post. I'm a structural engineer and i've looked into moving the post to the edges of a 10' tank centered on that space. The problem with doing all of that is I would also have cost in renovating the house on top of the tank itself so it's not really an option. James(Envision) gave me an estimate on the (2) 225 gallon tanks and it's looking like it's more affordable to go with the (2) tanks rather than (1) 10' tank. I also like the idea of going with two tanks cause it allows me to setup the tanks differently but the pipe connecting them gives the fish additional space. reef165, thanks for the offer of the 4" bulkhead but I really want to go with a 6" diameter bulkhead cause i'm worried anything smaller would stop the larger tangs from being able to go through. The other reason for putting the tank up against the wall in the recessed area is because my laundry/utlitity room is behind that wall and that room has plenty of space for my sump and other equipement. I've attached another picture of the space. Kind of the same pic as before but a little better. Ronjunior, i appreciate the offer for the help. I may take you up on that help since I will be taking down my 200 gallon tank and setting up these tanks all at the same time. It will be quite the undertaking and i'll need all the help I can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocboat Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I'm also in OC, so if you need some help, just PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv951 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Have you looked into/priced having a custom tank made that would go around the beam? You would have to remove and replace it and do so again when you move, but it would be pretty cool to have a tank that is notched so that it goes behind the beam. I bet James would have no trouble making it also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Be careful with putting your sump in the laundry room as all kinda 'bad' things could fall into it and cause problems. Just my $.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmca Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 Laundry Room Thanks for the warning/advice on putting the sump in the laundry room Michael7979. The room is quite large so the washer and dryer are on the other side of the room so it shouldn't be a problem unless someone dumps something in there on purpose. I have looked into getting a 10' or 12' tank that was notched around the column and it's alot more than the (2) 225 gallon tanks. Actually the prices i posted in an earlier post were for the notched tanks. Actually James said he didn't feel comfortable making a tank with a notch in it and he recommended some other companies that were out of state and shipping makes it too expensive. Ocboat, also thanks for the offer. I'll make sure to let you know when this project gets going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronjunior Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 If I remember from the old All Glass Aquarium site, they would actually pre drill a tank before shipping upon request and extra fee. Might give them a call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undrtkr_00 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I'm in OC, too, and would be happy to lend a hand if needed. Of course too many hands might not be all that much help... DOH! This sounds like a fun project. I hope it turns out well for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmca Posted November 27, 2007 Author Share Posted November 27, 2007 All Glass Aquarium I contacted All Glass and the largest hole they can drill is a 3" diameter hole. Buying (2) 180 gallon All Glass tanks with the 8" diameter hole would be the most affordable but since I can't get the hole that I need it doesn't work. Got to go the custom route. Looks like i'll have plenty of local help when I need it, thanks everyone. That's why i'm so glad i found this site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronjunior Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 So any more thoughts on where to go to Geter Dune? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmca Posted December 10, 2007 Author Share Posted December 10, 2007 After the holidays! I actually started planning this project before I knew what I would be getting for my year end bonus, you know the way I'm paying for most of these 2 tanks. I had an idea of how much I would be getting, just wanted to have the check in my hands before I put my order in with James for the 2 tanks. Since i'll be out of town for about 2 weeks visiting family the project will start sometime in January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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