Hop's downgrade to 300 gallons: A simple build thread

[Wiskey]

That is one amazing fish BTW.

Whiskey

[Hop]

Originally Posted by Wiskey

That stinks You can't do something with that cube to make it work as a Q tank temporarly?

Whiskey

Maybe but I want 5 or 7 and unfortunately it would cut into the limited budget of getting the tank up and running. right now my reef budget is fixed!

Once the swap is over, I'm going to turn my 20 gallon sump back into a tank and use it as my Q tank. I've always liked those fish and I guess I'll just have to wait a bit longer for them

[Hop]

I just spoke to the guy that owns the LFS my tank is going to in Ft. Collins... My tank made it in today at about 1:00. Not sure he has the time, but he may send me some pics tonight or over the weekend

[Hop]

I'm working on getting the big tank out of the office. If I can get it loaded in the next couple days I'm going to make the ten hour round-trip and get the other tank this week. If not I guess it will have to wait until this weekend...

[Wiskey]

Sweet! That's going to be one heck of a drive, but well worth it I bet.

Whiskey

[Hop]

Hopefully! I'm trying to figure out how to secure a glass tank in the back of my truck so that it makes it home unscathed I'm just a little paranoid

[Wiskey]

I would be too!

It will be in a crate right? Can you tie the crate down to the tie hooks in your bed using motorcycle securing ratcheting hold down straps?

Whiskey

[Hop]

No crate It came in a truck specifically designed for tanks I guess. So I'm not sure if it's wrapped in plastic or what. I was thinking about taking blankets and wrapping it and then using straps to hold it in place, but not too tight. I have some foam I think left over, so that is a possability as well.

[reefermike1]

one strap from the back tiedowns arond the front, and one strap from the front tiedowns across the back, that leaves no where for the tank to go. plus if u have the tank sitting on something like rubbler or styrofoam the weight of the tank itself should hold it in place for the most part unless u slam on the breaks or something. cardboard over styrofoam works great under the straps, blankets would be just as good though. ive moved alot of tanks this way and never had a problem. do u have an 8foot bed on your truck i hope?

[Hop]

Originally Posted by reefermike1

one strap from the back tiedowns arond the front, and one strap from the front tiedowns across the back, that leaves no where for the tank to go. cardboard over styrofoam works great, blankets would be just as good though. ive moved alot of tanks this way and never had a problem. do u have an 8foot bed on your truck i hope?

Nope, I got the weenie 6' bed

Getting the acrylic tank down once loaded should be a snap, but the 6' glass tank is what is making me nervous... One flying rock and it's all for not I was thinking the same thing in essence. I was going to put a piece of 3/4" ply against the front of the bed as it's got a little lip, with a piece of foam. Then drape blankets and what ever extra foam I can find over the tank and use several straps. I'll still have to leave the tailgate down as the 6' bed is only 5'9" with the tailgate up...

I'm not going to be able to sleep

[reefermike1]

lol, yea i got the 6ft bed on mine too. what it lacks in function it makes up for in looks imo. i was thinking it was going to be an 8ft tank, what are the dimentions of the new tank btw? its nerve racking but im sure it will work out for ya. id be more worried about unloading it and getting it in its place than anything. wish ya luck though and i cant wait to see pics!

[Hop]

Thanks. It's 72X25X24. The unloading should be OK. I'm going to off load it onto furniture dollies so I can manuever it around while I paint the back and sides, plumb the rock supports etc. Then I think we are going to build a bit of a jig to help is get it into place when the time comes to put it in the hole in the wall

[reefermike1]

isnt that a 180gal?

[Hop]

It's 187ish... they call it a 190. The AGA 180 is 72x24x24. 25" depth was the biggest I could fit in the space and still have a little space behind the tank incase I decide on some vortecs on the back or something

[reefermike1]

gotcha, i really have read your thread it just gets hard to keep track of everyone lol.