kiwihunter8 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
kiwihunter8) wrote2015-01-22 07:07 pm
kiwihunter8) wrote2015-01-22 07:07 pm
Circular tank arguements
So here's where I've narrowed it down on the aquarium situation options:
1. Give up and just buy a really nice piece of aquarium furniture that is hand made in the US. It's for a bowfront tank and has a solid top and is at least 38" long; I'll get the specifics from the makers. The solid top is important because it means I could get an acrylic tank in the future if I so desired, and I could get any tank that was 3 feet which is a common size. That is, non bowfront tanks will fit on this stand. I really think with proper care, this could last forever. It's made from oak and weighs twice as much as the pine counterpart I was desperately seeking out. It's laquered and waterproof. But it also costs twice as much: $600 delivered. The good part about this is that I get to keep my large tank which is 46 gallons. The downside is that it's a glass aquarium so that doesn't rule out it leaking sometime in the future.
I don't think it would be wise for me venture once again into the world of carpentry on something I'm already worried about the stability of. That is I don't want to sit and worry that I didn't make it right; I'd rather leave it to the professionals in this case when it's about supporting almost 50 gallons of water.
2. If I'm going to spend 600 dollars anyway, why not get the cheaper NON bowfront stand for only $400 and get a 30 gallon SeaClear tank ($200) and stand for about the same amount. Then I'd really never have to worry about leaks OR weight on a stand. This truly WOULD last forever.
It would just be the stand below and tank, NOT the hood.
Downside, 30 gallons is a lot smaller than 46 viewing wise. Updside, I wouldn't have to worry about either the tank leaking OR the stand breaking. Also, I can get it in black or espresso like the above one.
3. What am I thinking, deciding to spend $600? I should just keep my current stand and reduce the weight limit on it to solve my problem. If I bought this acrylic hex back 26 gallon tank that would be a reduction of TWENTY gallons, or 160 pounds of weight on the stand. And this cool hex tank is long, as long as my current tank: 38" and acrylic doesn't leak or crack/break. But it's not as high. After all, that 20 gallons has to come from somewhere. This would cost $260 delivered (crappy photoshop):
Currently it looks like:
In a weird way I feel like this new tank might be the best solution for now. But there's a part of me going "How did you go from replacing the crappy stand to replacing your beautiful tank which you had no problems with?!" The stand may still break down over time, but this new tank can fit on commercial stand unlike the bowfront. And I'm losing a lot of real estate for the fish. I think the balance in the tank will be ok, but the fish will of course have less room.
I can use my current filtration system with the new tank, and use my current light because their widths are identical.
I guess I'd sell the bowfront on craigslist.
1. Give up and just buy a really nice piece of aquarium furniture that is hand made in the US. It's for a bowfront tank and has a solid top and is at least 38" long; I'll get the specifics from the makers. The solid top is important because it means I could get an acrylic tank in the future if I so desired, and I could get any tank that was 3 feet which is a common size. That is, non bowfront tanks will fit on this stand. I really think with proper care, this could last forever. It's made from oak and weighs twice as much as the pine counterpart I was desperately seeking out. It's laquered and waterproof. But it also costs twice as much: $600 delivered. The good part about this is that I get to keep my large tank which is 46 gallons. The downside is that it's a glass aquarium so that doesn't rule out it leaking sometime in the future.
I don't think it would be wise for me venture once again into the world of carpentry on something I'm already worried about the stability of. That is I don't want to sit and worry that I didn't make it right; I'd rather leave it to the professionals in this case when it's about supporting almost 50 gallons of water.
2. If I'm going to spend 600 dollars anyway, why not get the cheaper NON bowfront stand for only $400 and get a 30 gallon SeaClear tank ($200) and stand for about the same amount. Then I'd really never have to worry about leaks OR weight on a stand. This truly WOULD last forever.
It would just be the stand below and tank, NOT the hood.
Downside, 30 gallons is a lot smaller than 46 viewing wise. Updside, I wouldn't have to worry about either the tank leaking OR the stand breaking. Also, I can get it in black or espresso like the above one.
3. What am I thinking, deciding to spend $600? I should just keep my current stand and reduce the weight limit on it to solve my problem. If I bought this acrylic hex back 26 gallon tank that would be a reduction of TWENTY gallons, or 160 pounds of weight on the stand. And this cool hex tank is long, as long as my current tank: 38" and acrylic doesn't leak or crack/break. But it's not as high. After all, that 20 gallons has to come from somewhere. This would cost $260 delivered (crappy photoshop):
Currently it looks like:
In a weird way I feel like this new tank might be the best solution for now. But there's a part of me going "How did you go from replacing the crappy stand to replacing your beautiful tank which you had no problems with?!" The stand may still break down over time, but this new tank can fit on commercial stand unlike the bowfront. And I'm losing a lot of real estate for the fish. I think the balance in the tank will be ok, but the fish will of course have less room.
I can use my current filtration system with the new tank, and use my current light because their widths are identical.
I guess I'd sell the bowfront on craigslist.