new tank

[Guest bill33]

guys,

 

my pops and i were talking and we decided to get a new tank. we want something bigger then a 29g.

 

heres what we want

 

we have a split level house so the tank will be going on the top floor.

we want something drilled

big enough so we can have some decent sized fish

rember its going on the top floor

 

i was thinking a 40g

 

 

Bill

[rocko918]

that's only 11 gallons more. not much differents.

 

go with a 58 or a 75.

[ErikS]

go with a 58 or a 75.

Concur, depending on space my personal choices are:

 

3' = 65 or 58

4' = 120, 90, 75

 

Adding a bit of width for a given length is generally pretty easy - you get more gallons & space.

[Guest bill33]

can the top floor hold that much weight?

[ErikS]

I would hope so - otherwise there would be a lot of tanks in basements (or should we say what's left of tanks).

 

Easily up to 75g tanks, pretty much anywhere you want. When you get into the 120+ range you my have to account for structural issues (like putting them perpendicular to joists & near a bearing wall)

 

Unless you have an old (as in turn of the 1930's or older) with some odd framing (like a balloon frame).

 

Look at it this way - you or dad weigh? Stand right next to each other, that's how much load/sq ft? Take a 75g tank which will weigh in around 750 - 800lbs = about 100lbs/sq ft. If it can't take that load then anyone over 100lbs standing with their feet together would A) make the floor sag B ) fall through

 

You get my drift

 

(not sure but I think in general code is something like 30lbs/sq inch for floors)

[BeltwayBandit]

I would definately vote for the 120. Great tank. Also remember wider is better.

As a general rule I like aspect ratios of around 2:1 Length to width (up to about 2' width.)

[Guest bill33]

eriks good point.

 

hmm im more looking for a long tank then a 48inch tank by 3feet

 

 

doing they make 75g longs?

 

 

Bill

[ErikS]

I'd reconsider the "long" part, low is okay but skinny is tough - you end up with a vertical look to the tank. It gets single demensional looking (tough to aquascape). I'd get as wide as possible - even to the point of a cube.

 

I agree with BB - a 2 to 1 ratio is nice, even wider is better.

 

That being said you should be able to get a tank in any size - there's always custom :D

[Guest alex wlazlak]

ive got a 55 in my room, above the garage. i like it, but my floor porbly wont hold all the weight in a 120, so im gonna set it up in my basement, hofully. i might be moving at the end of school though :( , :bigcry:

[DEEPBLUE]

I have a 240 gallon in my office on the second floor, and not against an outside wall of my house, I figured that the tank full with everything in it is about 4000lbs. Most houses built can handle the weight, because look at some of the bedroom furniture (long dressers and bed) and what they weigh, as long as your have a stand or cabinet that spreads the weight out you will be fine.

 

Deepblue

[Guest bill33]

is there any sw stores in prince william, manasas?, or woodbridge i might hit them up tonight

[rocko918]

might be a little late but http://www.blueribbonkoi.com is just out side manassas.

[Larry Grenier]

Just to add my $.02. The difference between a 55 and a 75 is only 25 gallons but the additional width (from 13 to 18) really makes a difference. Regardless of the length you go with, make sure the width (front-to-back) is at-least 18".

[sturnmeyer]

Is there any true test for the weight of a system on the 2nd floor....I have a 55g on a 4ft outside wall and am planning on putting the repaired 125g I got from BRK on that same wall.....whatcha think....the house is only 8 years old.

 

I hadn't had a chance to work on the tank yet, so I haven't gotten to this question yet. I figured since someone else brought it up, then maybe I better.

 

Thanks...

[rioreef]

Difference from a 75 to a 90 is 4" in height, same footprint. This a 20% increase in volume. That can account for displacement of rock and sand. Thus, winding up with maybe 75g of actual water volume instead of around 60g. Goes a long way water stability = quality +volume.

 

Chris

[Guest bill33]

yo,

 

anyone know any places local i mean within md d.c. and va for nice tanks and good prices i mean not cheap but something i can trust

 

 

Bill

 

o ya its a go

[ErikS]

It's been my experience that few, if any places can beat Wally's for tank prices (though I've heard that Annandale Pets comes close/can).

[stevil]

anyone know any places local i mean within md d.c. and va for nice tanks and good prices i mean not cheap but something i can trust

47641[/snapback]

 

I'm not sure if I would buy a brand new one - I had good luck on craigslist. If you go here you can just type "aquarium" or "fish tank" and get some good results.

 

I picked up a complete 90 gal setup - tank, custom cherry stand & canopy, VHO lights, sump, skimmer, pumps, powerheads, heater and some other misc stuff last spring for $350.

 

Sometimes people ask outrageous prices, other times they are a steal - and then all kinds of stuff in-between.

[Guest bill33]

hmm...

 

 

does anyone have 30g long 36inchs drilled new/used glass/acrilic

or a 33g

 

lmk

 

Big bill

Edited December 15, 2005 by bill33