New Build: 10 foot frag tank

[ScottB]

I intend to get the tank shipped next week; this week was just too crammed. I don't have any pics of the real thing yet, but here is the drawing.

 

[ScottB]

Note from the drawing that there are overflows on each end, 10 feet apart. My interim plan is to drop two of my existing 44" Trigger sumps underneath. one on each end. They are already drilled for a 2" connecting pipe so that the levels remain balanced. The overflows will dump pretty much straight down. Will run some existing COR 20 pumps as returns.

In the long run, I will have a 10' custom sump built. Large refugium, typical skimmer section, but mostly just room for tons of sump rock.

Socks or Roller Mat?

 

[a4edwin]

This is a pretty old picture, but you get the idea. It all works, but access around the back side of the tanks requires gymnastics and precise footwork to get around all the interconnecting plumbing and power cables.

Man if somebody didn’t know any better they would think you were doing something illegal.

 

[ScottB]

Man if somebody didn’t know any better they would think you were doing something illegal.

As of this moment in CT, that would be a felony. About 2 miles north of here (NY state) it would be applauded.

Yes, I have had people comment who drive by often. The basement and the ground floor have a few lit up windows.

 

[ScottB]

Since I am here I will mention that the tank has been Fed Exd to a terminal about an hour away. I am renting a 15 foot U-Haul tomorrow. They will load it for me. Then I have to get it off the truck and into the garage for the night.

Who thinks I can figure out this transition solo? Eleven feet palleted, 375 lbs.

Tips? I am all ears.

 

[Perry]

Since I am here I will mention that the tank has been Fed Exd to a terminal about an hour away. I am renting a 15 foot U-Haul tomorrow. They will load it for me. Then I have to get it off the truck and into the garage for the night.

Who thinks I can figure out this transition solo? Eleven feet palleted, 375 lbs.

Tips? I am all ears.

Ummm....
Are you a power lifter?
Forklift? I know you have something up your sleeve, lol...
Pictures my friend, many pictures!!!

 

[a4edwin]

I moved mine with a 2 1/2ton jack and and a dolly. Granted it was a 100g tank.

 

[JGT]

Solo’s gonna be the challenge. Otherwise, I’d get it on the tailgate, lower it down to about a foot off the ground and then coax it on to a couple of dollies. Then you can roll it into your garage.

 

[ScottB]

Ummm....
Are you a power lifter?
Forklift? I know you have something up your sleeve, lol...
Pictures my friend, many pictures!!!

At 165 lbs, I would not be competitive as a power lifter.
I checked into a forklift rental -- $545 delivered.
I will try harder on pictures. Never been good at that, but agree it does make these threads more engaging.

I moved mine with a 2 1/2ton jack and and a dolly. Granted it was a 100g tank.

I do have a couple of dollies and straps

Solo’s gonna be the challenge. Otherwise, I’d get it on the tailgate, lower it down to about a foot off the ground and then coax it on to a couple of dollies. Then you can roll it into your garage.

My thinking is:
a) Remove the pallet and packing in the truck; saves 75 lbs.
b) Back truck to garage door
c) Slide the tank half way out and tip the end down onto one dollie
d) Slide the tank further off the truck...

and then call for help.

The tank itself is really only about 300lbs, and I never need to lift more 1/2 that weight. And today I am not really lifting it, I am lowering it. Hopefully it is a low floor truck.

We will see how it goes. Randy, my LFS guy, can come by after 7pm if I get stuck.

 

[ScottB]

Per @Perry request, pictures are incoming.
Made it to the Fed Ex terminal for pickup in my lovely 15' U-Haul. The forklift made short work of loading.

 

[ScottB]

If you are driving a rental truck on I-95, you are obliged to eat a double patty cheeseburger. It is somewhere under that pile of fries. Nitroglycerin is a proper side order. Repeat: @Perry wanted pics.

 

[Perry]

Glad you clarified, looked like you were building a campfire, lol, like what?
But a dang burger, under that tinder, ooh, building strength for the 10ft haul
How many pallets together?
Cause, that still looks like a pita.

 

[ScottB]

Made it home. Flipped it on its side. Cannot make it through the basement laying flat. Minor power lifting skills deployed at this point. Inch by inch is key. Correction -- leverage is key.

Please send Advil.

 

[JGT]

Per @Perry request, pictures are incoming.
Made it to the Fed Ex terminal for pickup in my lovely 15' U-Haul. The forklift made short work of loading.

All the fun is yet to come.

 

[JGT]

Made it home. Flipped it on its side. Cannot make it through the basement laying flat. Minor power lifting skills deployed at this point. Inch by inch is key. Correction -- leverage is key.

Please send Advil.

That’s looking good. That metal ramp is key. Forgot about the UHauls having that.

 

[ScottB]

Glad you clarified, looked like you were building a campfire, lol, like what?
But a dang burger, under that tinder, ooh, building strength for the 10ft haul
How many pallets together?
Cause, that still looks like a pita.

Five guys Burgers & Fries. The heart attack special.

It was a single 11' pallet. Will keep the 11X2X4 and the rest is kindling for next winter.

I am not an engineer, but leverage is something I seem to get. Getting the tank DOWN from the truck was tedious but not physically difficult. All downhill. Getting the tank UP one half stair from the garage to basement took much more time as a solo.

 

[ScottB]

The first part was physically easy. Just had to think about the pivot points and make sure the tank was shielded on those points.

Finally, a dolly is involved. That was a bit of a lift. Note the lifting straps make an appearance here. While the tank is ~300lbs, you are NOT lifting all of it. Leverage.

Here is the tricky bit that almost got me in trouble. This view depicts things well. The side you are looking at (top) is featherweight. The cross members are 3/8.

However the bottom is 1" plus 3/8ths bracing all around. HUGE weight imbalance. When you are solo these things matter.

Getting to this point took an hour. Only moving an inch or so at a time and reassessing.

 

[ScottB]

There she is safely in the garage. Note behind are the sheets of 1/2" AZEK that I will need to cut as bases for the tank and the sumps. Project for tomorrow morning.

So after weaving through the other part of the basement that is crowded with my existing tanks, temporary stock tank and slop sink, it is in position for lifting.

I plan to dry fit all the plumbing here -- everything I can do -- before moving existing over to the stock tank and breaking down existing. Look back for images of that.

 

[ScottB]

Most of the day was collecting plumbing parts. Who knew that unions are such a rarity. Order ahead. Needed 6 X 1.5 inch and 4 X 1 inch. Three stores needed to fill.

With the U-Haul yesterday I managed to gather the needed 1/2" expanded PVC sheets (ASEK) recommended by @Joe Glass Cages for the base plates. For both the tank and the sumps. Required a lot of ripping given my dimensions. Glad I youtubed that for the proper circular saw blade and safety notes. For a smooth cut edge, you generate A LOT of fine powder. A shower and a thorough vacuum were in order once all the cuts were done.

.

 

[ScottB]

The base plates (white panels) are done. I still have some vacuuming to do. Sawdust stays were you expect. This stuff goes everywhere. Still sneezing.

This pic is missing the final 2 foot panel but all is complete now. Time to lift the tank onto the stand so I can dry fit the plumbing and Synergy overflows.