Help Restore My New 6X2X2...ideas Needed.

[danny_sims]

Hi everyone.
I would really like some help on what to do, i have made an arangement to collect a 6x2x2 tank. The solid wood stand seems a little worse for ware but seemed to be strong as the tank was full of water and it was still in one piece.
The cabinet doors were hanging of, and marks all over. the lid did not seem very good at all. I am not sure whether there was a light fitting of any kind but i am pressuming there isnt.
i have got the tank for 50 pounds. (not collected it yet) I can upload some pictures as soon as i get the tank.

going in the tank is the following (not for definate yet)
5 x bala sharks
rainbow shark
golden nugget plec
20 x pink tetra's
10 x clown loach
5 x leporinus
severum


i need some help on the following.

Any ideas on how i can make it easier to get the tank into my house as i have a 2 and a half foot door opening and it is a porch type of entrance

How can i improve the look of the cabinet, cheap as possible. (if the cabinet is strong enough to hold the tank). best way to reinforce the stand???

also need to build a new hood???

lighting options, filteration, gravel/sand (best place to buy), decoration ideas, painting stand, etc....
i need help on everything as i am trying to do it as cheaply as possible.... its going in the centre of an 11foot wall in my living room. it has to blend in with the girlfriends brown and cream living room.

please help in anyway shape or form.
pictures of your tanks any links or ideas.......

 

[Wills]

Hi cool sounding tank and a good bargain!

Just make sure you are prepared for how heavy this tank is and how hard it will be too move. But once its in place it will be worth it - also be double sure the tank its self is in good condition I went to pick up a 6x2x2 about a month ago and it was chipped on one corner I dare not take it - then a week later I see the same guy advertising for a new glass tank so it must have burst.

As for making the stand look good again how about painting it? Or getting some veneer to go over the front of the cabinet? Then for the lid how about getting a clip on light so the top of the tank is open with just the glass sliders going over the top of it to stop the fish jumping out.

Stocking looks pretty good to me Nice mix of fish, though I would still be tempted to swap the bala sharks for some denison barbs, very similar but the barbs are more than half the size of the balas and more suited to life in a fish tank.

Wills

 

[danny_sims]

Hi
thanks again for the stocking list.
on my current 300litre it has a trim that covers the bottom seal and also the gravel. would this be possible?
i am dreading moving the tank as its going to be so heavy.
any tips on moving? i only have a single entrance door and that will only allow one person at each end. how can i get around this???
danny

 

[Wills]

If your painting the stand you could get some strips of wood to go around the edges of the stand to cover the base of the glass and water - bit of DIY

Unless you have a big estate car or people carrier your going to need a van. Make sure you measure your vehicle before you set off. If you can get a workmans trolley that would help a lot as well especially once you get it out the house.

As for getting it through doors, the people I was getting my tank from had a system of turning the tank on its end so it stood tall and rested it on a lot of blankets and duvets underneath that way you just need to move a 2 foot square but it needs a lot of padding and the weight needs to be on the base corner but with lots of protection under it.

In a way I am lucky with my flat as where the tank goes is at the end of a corridoor from the front door and the hall way is wide enough to turn a tank round in but its just the weight. You need at least 3 big guys to do this and more to help steer it.

Pretty much after my experience I would never buy a second hand tank unless I could get it delivered and put in place by delivery men with insurance haha

Wills

 

[danny_sims]

If your painting the stand you could get some strips of wood to go around the edges of the stand to cover the base of the glass and water - bit of DIY

Unless you have a big estate car or people carrier your going to need a van. Make sure you measure your vehicle before you set off. If you can get a workmans trolley that would help a lot as well especially once you get it out the house.

As for getting it through doors, the people I was getting my tank from had a system of turning the tank on its end so it stood tall and rested it on a lot of blankets and duvets underneath that way you just need to move a 2 foot square but it needs a lot of padding and the weight needs to be on the base corner but with lots of protection under it.

In a way I am lucky with my flat as where the tank goes is at the end of a corridoor from the front door and the hall way is wide enough to turn a tank round in but its just the weight. You need at least 3 big guys to do this and more to help steer it.

Pretty much after my experience I would never buy a second hand tank unless I could get it delivered and put in place by delivery men with insurance haha

Wills

hi
we are going in a high top tranny van with 2 people in the van and 2 in my car. so space not and issue its just i may need to get a couple more people to help when we are at my end. its in the guys garage and is easily accessible to the drive where we can park the van.
and its then around 10ft to my front door and then its the first room. 300litre was easy (not).....
if it all goes wrong its not a great amount of money or time wasted as its only half a mile down the road.
danny

 

[Wills]

Yeah the money is a good point to be fair my tank was a few hundred. Getting it from his garage is somewhat of a good thing for you as it will load in really easy at that end and you dont have to worry about battering someones house (unlike me) but at least at your end your going to be a lot more comfortable in doing this.

One thought for getting it into the house which might sound a bit extreme but it is possible I believe - have you got any windows that you can get taken out and put back in? People do it for sofas and furniture all the time so just wondering if that would help you out or not?

I think the builders trolly will help significantly especially at his end

Wills

 

[danny_sims]

i think window out would be last resort ( i can do it myself as i know how to ) but its a terraced house with a tiny garden so its over the wall then through the window and would have to be lifter really high.
trolley would be helpfull
girlfriend has asked me why dont i get the one from a forum member of here that has everything complete. would work out a lot cheaper and also comeing from a good source. i dont know what to do now.

old dirty cheap tank
50 tank
100+for filters
gravel/sand ???
decorations ???
heaters 40
lights 50
wood/paint ???
thats if the glass is in really good condition.

one from a member involves an hour in the van and a 200 notes. (comes with some fish that i will keep and some fish that a friend of mine would love to take of me.

what would you do?
danny