A ~19,000 Gallon Aquarium

[stunreefer]

WOW, very cool project!

I can't help a lot with most of your questions, but maybe a little:

1. A LOT! I agree in that you won't need as much "turnover" (I hate that term) as we do in smaller tanks, but it would still be wise to keep as much detrius in suspension as possible.

2. Look into marine grade paints that are used for boats.

3. Assuming you can keep nutrients in line I wouldn't worry about doing 100% water changes every week. Honestly once your tank is well established with the refugium and all you won't need to do much water changing at all (look into other means of replenishing necessary nutrients).

4. For this size aquarium you'll want to look into large prop pumps that are commonly used in public aquaria - way out of our league

6. I would go with around 6". http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html

7. In most aquaria (yours isn't most ) mangroves are not nearly as efficient at exporting nutrients as macroalgaes based on the size mangroves we can house: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/3/lines. You could grow large trees, and it would honestly look amazing if you did. I would utlize mostly macroalgae initially and grow some mangroves (we can only harvest pods here) in your refugium.

8. Uh, a really, really big one! The three names that come to mind off hand for a "commercial sized" skimmer would be RK2 (USA), Sander Aquarientechnik (Germany, similar to RK2), and the "newer" styled MRC (My Reef Creations, USA). I'm sure ATB (Austria) or Royal Exclusiv (Germany) would be willing to build something but that would be big, big bucks. In my honest opinion you could probably get away with just your refugium and water changes, but a skimmer(s) could only help.

I would contact people in the public aquarium industry for more information regarding pumps, filtration, water changes, etc. Joe Yaiullo is the curator of Atlantis Marine World (Long Island Aquarium) http://www.atlantismarineworld.com/about-facts-people.html that built and maintains a gorgeous 20,000 gallon reef there. He is also here on RC; I would try to get ahold of him somehow.

GL, I'll be following this build for sure

 

[jason2459]

HOLY CRAP.....THIS IS AWESOME.

Running a Closed loop 24/7 or pulling from the Ocean 24/7 would be the same use of energy. Why not have 1 pump setup for both. A closed loop pump circulating the water from the tank itself, but then T off the intake to the pump and run it to the Ocean water. Add some valves and you could close it off if you needed too, and continue to circulate the tank water?

Some redundancy would probably be nice to have. If either goes down there would still be some circulation.

BTW, can't wait to see this progress and see the final build!

 

[nahham]

WOW, very cool project!

I can't help a lot with most of your questions, but maybe a little:

1. A LOT! I agree in that you won't need as much "turnover" (I hate that term) as we do in smaller tanks, but it would still be wise to keep as much detrius in suspension as possible.

2. Look into marine grade paints that are used for boats.

3. Assuming you can keep nutrients in line I wouldn't worry about doing 100% water changes every week. Honestly once your tank is well established with the refugium and all you won't need to do much water changing at all (look into other means of replenishing necessary nutrients).

4. For this size aquarium you'll want to look into large prop pumps that are commonly used in public aquaria - way out of our league

6. I would go with around 6". http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html

7. In most aquaria (yours isn't most ) mangroves are not nearly as efficient at exporting nutrients as macroalgaes based on the size mangroves we can house: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/3/lines. You could grow large trees, and it would honestly look amazing if you did. I would utlize mostly macroalgae initially and grow some mangroves (we can only harvest pods here) in your refugium.

8. Uh, a really, really big one! The three names that come to mind off hand for a "commercial sized" skimmer would be RK2 (USA), Sander Aquarientechnik (Germany, similar to RK2), and the "newer" styled MRC (My Reef Creations, USA). I'm sure ATB (Austria) or Royal Exclusiv (Germany) would be willing to build something but that would be big, big bucks. In my honest opinion you could probably get away with just your refugium and water changes, but a skimmer(s) could only help.

I would contact people in the public aquarium industry for more information regarding pumps, filtration, water changes, etc. Joe Yaiullo is the curator of Atlantis Marine World (Long Island Aquarium) http://www.atlantismarineworld.com/about-facts-people.html that built and maintains a gorgeous 20,000 gallon reef there. He is also here on RC; I would try to get ahold of him somehow.

GL, I'll be following this build for sure

Thank you very much for the information. I was reading about DSB and other stuff I've asked about but more people weighing in is always a plus.

 

[Beaun]

I agree that contacting the curator from Atlantis Marine World would be beneficial, his username is JustJoe, he may be able to answer questions not many can.

Instead of running huge amounts of water in from the sea everyone once in a while, why not run a much smaller motor all the time? It's an idea to think about at least. A surge device of some sort would also be very beneficial to the system, being able to "storm" an aquarium of that size will be important to keep detritus suspended.

 

[dogstar74]

OH MY GAWSH!!!! And with pictures too! That saves about 16 pages worth of "this is a hoax" posts! Super nice! keep up the good work!

 

[dogstar74]

Wouldn't a massive (>20cm) inlet with a check valve work to promote directional filtration? Have a check valve that only lets water in one side, then a second check valve that only lets water out the opposite side. That way water is forced to go from left to right ultimately/passively circulating all the water through the tank.

 

[reefmo]

WOW, very cool project!


2. Look into marine grade paints that are used for boats.

Careful here... dont many marine grade boat paints contain copper to resist growth of barnacles and other marine-nasties. Could be doom for snails and stuff if you wanted them in your tank.

 

[dave.m]

Epoxy-based paints would be safest - expensive, but safest. Stuff like refugiums, deep sand beds, protein skimmers etc. are for people who don't have access to fresh sea water. You might want to contact the Waikiki Aquarium, as they run their large displays directly off fresh sea water. They could probably tell you what they did, how they did it, and why.

What is the wind like at your location? A wind-driven pump would alleviate your operating costs, even if it only ran part-time.

dave

 

[firereef]

No freakin way!?!!? This thing will be huge!!

 

[Jflip2002]

Shoulda went 20,000g.... Im just saying.....

Lol, in all seriousness, this is awesome. Should be awesome to follow.

 

[Bax]

WOW! >>>

I do belive I just soiled myself!

We so often hear of peope "planning" these huge builds, but you are already well underway and it will be fantastic to be sure! Your proximity to the water is a huge plus!

Best of luck!

 

[jbrown11352]

Is the 12mm glass thickness a misprint? I would imagine it would need to be much thicker with that much water volume pressure?

 

[Lurking]

Ditto on all the "WOW!" comments....tagging along.

 

[dogstar74]

Is the 12mm glass thickness a misprint? I would imagine it would need to be much thicker with that much water volume pressure?

I believe it's two 12mm sheets laminated with the outside sheet also tempered. That's a full inch thickness with only 1 meter width. I believe it will hold well. If I understood correctly.

Aaron

 

[savethereef]

Cant wait to see this done. What is your time frame for completion on this monster cage?

 

[nahham]

Epoxy-based paints would be safest - expensive, but safest. Stuff like refugiums, deep sand beds, protein skimmers etc. are for people who don't have access to fresh sea water. You might want to contact the Waikiki Aquarium, as they run their large displays directly off fresh sea water. They could probably tell you what they did, how they did it, and why.

What is the wind like at your location? A wind-driven pump would alleviate your operating costs, even if it only ran part-time.

dave

Thanks for the paint suggestion. I read somewhere that the Aquarium of the Pacific pumps water directly from the ocean nearby, but they still filter it before it goes to the display tanks. I am thinking I will be able to clarify/enhance the quality of the water with a refugium. I can also use it to grow food and other beneficial "stuff" without affecting the main display. If it turns out I don't need the fuge, I can always turn it into a kiddy pool.

 

[nikecivic]

Awesome build!

 

[nahham]

I believe it's two 12mm sheets laminated with the outside sheet also tempered. That's a full inch thickness with only 1 meter width. I believe it will hold well. If I understood correctly.

Aaron

You are partially correct

There are 2 pieces of glass each 12mm (0.47 inches) think. Both pieces of glass are laminated, tempered, and polished. There is also a support beam of glass covered under the steel lining. The size of each glass panel is 1m (3.28ft) high x ~3m (9.84ft) wide. The thickness is what the glass-guys, who did a lot of big aquariums around here, suggested and guaranteed to hold. A civil engineer friend who is experienced in such stuff even said all this thickness isn't necessary.

I wanted to take some photos of the glass before it went in but I was too busy.. sorry.

 

[Dkarc]

I would contact the good folks at Aquatic Eco Systems. They are one of the few companies in the world equipt with the knowledge to handle systems of this scale. http://www.aquaticeco.com

Also for pumps I would look into using a vertical propeller pump. High volume, low head (energy efficient). The manufacturer can build you a put to suit you exact needs as well. http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/1204/Large-Propeller-Pumps-Low-Head/propeller/0

Epoxy based paint is going to be your best bet as for sealing the concrete. Aquatic Eco Systems sells that too.

I would at bare minimum filter the ocean water through a large sand filter (solids filtration) followed by some form of sterilization (ozone system would be best bet here).

-Ryan

 

[nahham]

Cant wait to see this done. What is your time frame for completion on this monster cage?

I am more excited that all of the people that commented "WOW!!" or "I've just soiled myself" :lmao:

It depends on when I can get hold of our construction company workers, cheaper is always better. I am also a PhD student and a family man so I'm running thin trying to juggle everything. They should be starting with the refugium and fish farm repairs soon. After that we move to plumbing and lighting.

I can't give you an exact date but I'm hoping it wouldn't take more than 2 months give or take 2 months