Habitat - Indoor :: New / permanent tank dilema...

[MoreBloodWine]

Ok, so I've kinda had my mind set on an acrylic 18x24x60 for Nikos permanent tank but I wana try to do some penny pinching in a few places so I was thinking of getting an 18x18x60 tank. So heres the dilema, I really want the one with more height but at the same time I wana save money and I can't have both. Anyway, if I did get the 18x18x60 that means I'd lose an overall 6" in height / depth compared to the other tank. Would that really make a difference to Niko since he / shed still have a five foot long by a foot and a half wide swimming area ?

[BullDog]

Generally, width and length is more important than depth. A 18x18x60 is still a good sized tank, and if it's a significant savings in cost, then I'd say go for the shorter tank.

[MoreBloodWine]

Generally, width and length is more important than depth. A 18x18x60 is still a good sized tank, and if it's a significant savings in cost, then I'd say go for the shorter tank.

Well, I dont know what the cost of either one would be because my last quote expired. I'm currently waiting on a new quote for both tanks from the guy at Tenecor that I've been working with. Depending on the news I get I might be able to dump my whole tax refund into the tank. But even then I still have bills to consider that take a front line so I might end up still putting Nikos permanent home o nthe back burner for the next 6 months to a yr like I was originally planning on doing.

Even if I did get the tank I wouldnt even be able to use it right away since I would still need to buy a canister filter and some other minor things ike stuff to build the ATBA platform etc.

[BullDog]

Actually, come to think of it, an 18x18x60 tank is about 84 gallons. For that size, you may want to consider an 18x24x48 90 gallon tank. That's a "standard" size, so you probably wouldn't have to get it custom. Although, I know, it would be short for your awsome stand. But perhaps something to consider.

[MoreBloodWine]

Actually, come to think of it, an 18x18x60 tank is about 84 gallons. For that size, you may want to consider an 18x24x48 90 gallon tank. That's a "standard" size, so you probably wouldn't have to get it custom. Although, I know, it would be short for your awsome stand. But perhaps something to consider.

Well, if I'm remembering right its males that get to be around what 8" maximum or is it females. Either way, if Niko turns out to be the sex that gets to around 8" max than an 84g tank would be perfect as a life tank bec of the whole 10g per inch thing. Also, the 18x24x48 does sound like a nice tank but chaning up the dimensions like that just to gain 6g of watter doesnt really seem worth it. Plus liek you said my stand is awesome and it was built for an 18" wide by 60" long tank heh.

Edit: Even if Niko turns out to be the sex that gets to around 12" would an 84g tank thats 18x18x60 still be a great life tank since it would just be the one turtle, it would work out to about 7g per inch.

Edit 2: Another thing to consider is water weight... the water weight of the 18x18x60 would be approx. 701.4lbs while the approx. water weight of the 18x24x60 would be about 935.2lbs

Now add that to the approx weight of the stand and canopy which is about 180lbs I'd be looking at a total floor weight of either 881.4lbs or 1,115.2lbs thats a difference of 233.9lbs between the two.

Edit 3: I forgot about the tank weight to if I recall the 18x24x60 weighs somewhere around 105lbs so the 18x18x60 would probably be around 85lbs so I'd actually be looking at approx. weights of 986.4lbs or 1,220.2lbs.

[MoreBloodWine]

Ok, so I got a quote back from the Tenecor guy today and this is what I'm looking at for either of the two tanks shipped to my zip of 16316.

60x18x24 Tall @ $765.75

60x18x18 Tall @ $607.50

Ok, so if you do the math thats a difference of $158.25 and about 28g of water. Now put that together along with all the stuff from above about tank weight, water weight, stand weight etc. the better choice would be the 60x18x18 since it would be a second floor aquarium (and yes I know all about the placement problems bec of weight).

[meltedspork]

Ok, so I got a quote back from the Tenecor guy today and this is what I'm looking at for either of the two tanks shipped to my zip of 16316.

60x18x24 Tall @ $765.75

60x18x18 Tall @ $607.50

Ok, so if you do the math thats a difference of $158.25 and about 28g of water. Now put that together along with all the stuff from above about tank weight, water weight, stand weight etc. the better choice would be the 60x18x18 since it would be a second floor aquarium (and yes I know all about the placement problems bec of weight).

That's a lot of money! Try www.glasscages.com... way cheaper.

[MoreBloodWine]

Ok, so I got a quote back from the Tenecor guy today and this is what I'm looking at for either of the two tanks shipped to my zip of 16316.

60x18x24 Tall @ $765.75

60x18x18 Tall @ $607.50

Ok, so if you do the math thats a difference of $158.25 and about 28g of water. Now put that together along with all the stuff from above about tank weight, water weight, stand weight etc. the better choice would be the 60x18x18 since it would be a second floor aquarium (and yes I know all about the placement problems bec of weight).

That's a lot of money! Try www.glasscages.com... way cheaper.

Alot of money , lol... its acrylic... of course it's going to be a bit more expensive than glass but the advantages of glass compared to acrylic is that acrylics weigh ALOT less than a glas tank.

[meltedspork]

Ok, so I got a quote back from the Tenecor guy today and this is what I'm looking at for either of the two tanks shipped to my zip of 16316.

60x18x24 Tall @ $765.75

60x18x18 Tall @ $607.50

Ok, so if you do the math thats a difference of $158.25 and about 28g of water. Now put that together along with all the stuff from above about tank weight, water weight, stand weight etc. the better choice would be the 60x18x18 since it would be a second floor aquarium (and yes I know all about the placement problems bec of weight).

That's a lot of money! Try www.glasscages.com... way cheaper.

Alot of money , lol... its acrylic... of course it's going to be a bit more expensive than glass but the advantages of glass compared to acrylic is that acrylics weigh ALOT less than a glas tank.

Not a BIT more, A LOT more! I got my 120g glass tank for less than $400 and that included glass tops. You are really spending way more money than necessary for all of your stuff... first the stand and canopy and now the tank. I'm just trying to be helpful, you don't have to be condescending about it.

[MoreBloodWine]

Im not and as far as the stand and canopy go, it's all solid oak except for the cabinet door panels and the drawers. Go price a similar stand and by similar I mean designed to the T anywhere in any store and I'd guarantee it would cost more than what I paid. Also that aside you cant expect people to custom make thigns for cost of materials only. Just like you wouldnt expect to get a free engin e at cost thats designed to your specific needs. I'm not trying to be a smart [---] I'm just saying your not seeing the whoel picture here. Your lookin at strictly cost and nothing else.

[MoreBloodWine]

Also, stand and canopy wise. Glass cages selles the same size stand (30 tall) & canopy un-modified for $700 so goin by that I can justify the extra $30 for my modifications with the drawers on the stand the four sides canopy vs the common 3 sided canopy plus the doors with plexiglass panels on the canopy. As for the tank, that would cost about $600 shipped fro mthe last quopte they gave me so again I can justify the extra cost of the acrylic for the huge weight difference compared to a glass tank of similar size.

[thegrandpoohbah]

Plus let's not forget that the acylic tank will never leak whereas a glass tank will eventually need to be re-sealed. Add to that fact the superior optical clarity and the reduced weight and it's easy to see why they are so popular.

MBW, I wouldn't worry too much about the weight of that tank. 84G spread out over a 60" x 18" footprint is much better than a standard 90G which has a 48" x 18" footprint. Just make sure it goes against a load bearing wall perpendicular to the floor joists and it should be just fine.

[MoreBloodWine]

Plus let's not forget that the acylic tank will never leak whereas a glass tank will eventually need to be re-sealed. Add to that fact the superior optical clarity and the reduced weight and it's easy to see why they are so popular.

T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U !

Edit: As far as acrylics go I wouldnt say they'll never leak but the chances that they will are slim to none.

MBW, I wouldn't worry too much about the weight of that tank. 84G spread out over a 60" x 18" footprint is much better than a standard 90G which has a 48" x 18" footprint. Just make sure it goes against a load bearing wall perpendicular to the floor joists and it should be just fine.

Well, as far as I can tell the tank spot is right above a load bearing wall. Also, I havent quite settles o nthe 84g yet. I "might" go ahead and get the 112g 60x18x24 just for the extra depth.

Edit: As far as I can tell the floor joists are gonna give me a small problem. They if I'm not mistaken will run the same direction of the tank / stand (horzontal). But given the fact I'm on a load bearing wall I shouldnt have to much of a problem plus liek you said the weight will also be distributed over 5 feet. Since it will be a second floor tank though I do have alot more work to do / things to consider.