A ~19,000 Gallon Aquarium

[nahham]

Do you have any pictures of the seating area that you are working on?

Haven't taken any photos of the area yet. Will (hopefully) take some tomorrow and post. There isn't anything there (the seating area) yet, but I'll try to take photos of the whole backyard to show you the amount of work happening.

Voted for thread of the month. Amazing build, looks like you might need to hire a crew to manage that thing.

Thanks for stopping by and voting. I was just thinking about the management crew today. I had a very simplistic view of the whole thing even though I've researched it quite. You learn new things everyday .

VOTE: May's TOTM​

[/QUOTE]

 

[Chago09]

ok now I have not read this whole thread but I did pick up some details a long the way.

So your running an open system directly from the ocean? So If I understand this right your pumping water in and out of the Ocean, so basicaly the Ocean is your sump? Water drains into the ocean and fills with Ocean water constantly correct?

Would this work for coral reef? Like I'm no expert but wouldn't this particular body of water have a natural coral reef existing if the water paremeters were capable of housing a reef? like maybe calcium is not high enough or temp or something? Or to much pollutants.

Would this system not need to be closed somewhat? Maybe do water changes from the Ocean but water needs to be treated etc. Maybe I'm just missing some info because I was to lazy to read it all

 

[nahham]

I had mostly good news about the water test today. My friend at the municipality called to tell me all of the results were fine, except for the salinity (in my opinion; he said it's not bad: 44,000 ppm (ouch)). He didn't have any numbers but I'm getting the list tomorrow. He did mention that they didn't manage to test 4 of the list I sent. He also mentioned that there is 0 ammonia in the water. The sample was taken just after we added the sand and the water was still for a while. I'll post everything when I get it tomorrow.

Also, I'm going tomorrow to try to 'secure' a couple of mangroves for the refugium. How many should I ask for. I am told I am supposed to leave 3 meters between each mangrove (3 - 4 years old) but don't know the specifics for aquariums. Any suggestions?

VOTE: May's TOTM​

 

[nahham]

ok now I have not read this whole thread but I did pick up some details a long the way.

First of all, thank you for stopping by and taking the time to post. It would be beneficial if you skimmed through the thread; many of the questions you raised has been discussed. However, here are summarized answers to your questions.

So your running an open system directly from the ocean? So If I understand this right your pumping water in and out of the Ocean, so basicaly the Ocean is your sump? Water drains into the ocean and fills with Ocean water constantly correct?

This was the original plan, still is to a certain extent.

Would this work for coral reef? Like I'm no expert but wouldn't this particular body of water have a natural coral reef existing if the water paremeters were capable of housing a reef? like maybe calcium is not high enough or temp or something? Or to much pollutants.

True that the sea should be have corals if we are to have any in the tank. I sent a water sample for testing and getting the result today. From what I was told, the only real issue with the water is the salinity; being a somewhat closed body of water, it is higher than open waters.

Would this system not need to be closed somewhat? Maybe do water changes from the Ocean but water needs to be treated etc. Maybe I'm just missing some info because I was to lazy to read it all

The system can be closed if need be. Here is the illustration:

However, I would like to try and run an open system, maybe while mixing fresh water to decrease the salinity. I'm just trying things. I can always go back to a 'standard' system.

VOTE: May's TOTM​

 

[nahham]

Water Test Results

Water Test Results

Drum roll please..

VOTE: May's TOTM​

 

[savethereef]

A ~19,000 Gallon Aquarium

parAmeters look good


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ninong]

Like I'm no expert but wouldn't this particular body of water have a natural coral reef existing if the water paremeters were capable of housing a reef?

Yes, there are coral reefs in the Persian Gulf.

 

[Ninong]

I sent a water sample for testing and getting the result today. From what I was told, the only real issue with the water is the salinity; being a somewhat closed body of water, it is higher than open waters.

Salinity in the Persian Gulf where you are should be around 37-38 ppt. Over by Qatar it can run as high as 41-43 ppt.

I don't think you should have any problems with 37-38 ppt salinity as long as you plan to keep local species, plus species from the Red Sea. The Red Sea and the Persian Gulf both have high salinity.

 

[maroun.c]

Glad to see the parameters are accepatable as that would have been the worst thing to deal with.
Do you think that salinity can change during the day with the huge amount of evaporation when it hits 50 degrees Celsius in mid summer?
Running constant supply of freshwater would be a quick fix in case the salinity is constant, still that would make it expensive considering how much water costs in UAE.
Is there anyway to predict the cost of a continuous desalination of the water?
if that is too expensive It might be a good idea to consider filtering the water in the well to make sure it's clear in color and adjust it's salinity and then perform limited daily water changes and less and less maybe during the colder months.
Do you have any other reason to continusously change water from the sea other than to cool the tank?

 

[nahham]

Backyard Picture

Backyard Picture

For everyone to get a sense of the size of the project at hand, and the surrounding area, here is an overview photo of the area right now. The road that is being built around the backyard is 335 meters long and 4 meters wide. It will probably be painted asphalt. I have a lot of work going on in my 'personal' backyard as well so the view of workers and machinery is becoming the norm :hmm2:. After the road is done, the work on the access to the setting area in front of the tank will commence. There will be large curved steps the follows the contour of the road the leads to the same level of the glass.

The picture is taken from the roof the the left-most villa.

 

[nahham]

Glad to see the parameters are accepatable as that would have been the worst thing to deal with.
Do you think that salinity can change during the day with the huge amount of evaporation when it hits 50 degrees Celsius in mid summer?

It might, I can't really tell you. Personally, I don't think the salinity will change in the tank if I keep changing the water in the rate I am doing right now.

Running constant supply of freshwater would be a quick fix in case the salinity is constant, still that would make it expensive considering how much water costs in UAE.
Is there anyway to predict the cost of a continuous desalination of the water?
if that is too expensive It might be a good idea to consider filtering the water in the well to make sure it's clear in color and adjust it's salinity and then perform limited daily water changes and less and less maybe during the colder months.

It will be expensive to basically open a freshwater tap continuously for the sake of the tank. I think it could be calculated but I don't really want to know right now . What could be done is have a continuous flow in a closed system setup with one pump and then have another pump that tops off the water from the saltwater well a couple of times a day. I asked for the water in the well to be tested so that I can raise the issue with the stakeholders .

Do you have any other reason to continusously change water from the sea other than to cool the tank?

Bioload, no need for a skimmer, .. can't think of anymore right now.

 

[Daniel Reef]

I voted for this thread as TOTM. Looks like you are in the lead at this point. Also, your tank looks small in this last pic. Never thought I would say that.

 

[dbend2001]

Hey nahham, can you tell me why u chose glass rather than acrylic ?

 

[mr.wilson]

What is the cost of freshwater in your area? Diluting your seawater will lower salinity as well as your high magnesium and calcium levels. It will also dilute "bad stuff", but as long as you are sticking to organisms that live under the same conditions as the water you are collecting, then there is no reason to alter it.

Sediment filtration, carbon, and ozone will help with clarity. The refugium will polish the water and harbour live food (plankton) for the tank inhabitants.

Your lack of water movement will greatly diminish water quality, but that will be rectified once you get your prop pumps going. I would consider adding peroxide once you get the pumps going to increase redox potential, oxidize excess organics, and improve water quality/clarity.

Macroalgae in the display tank will also increase the dissolved oxygen level and remove Co2. It will outcompete nuisance algae and reduce nitrogen and phosphate levels. I'm sure you can find lots of tangs or parrotfish to eat the algae once it has done its job.

What kind of sea life do you have immediately behind your property? Usually bays/harbours are shallow with a lot of evaporation so the salinity (and calcium, magnesium etc.) is higher than neighbouring reefs. Habitats along the shore are nutrient dumping grounds as living and dead organic matter washes in from the sea. Some areas get a lot of dead algae that pollute the water, further lowering dissolved oxygen levels of calm water, while other areas get highly oxygenated water from wave action and currents. The sps dominated reef I visited in the Red Sea started within a few meters of the shore with clearly immaculate water quality and clarity. At the other end of the spectrum, I've visited a few Florida marine fish collectors that have oceanfront property but have to use salt mix due to the high salinity and pollution levels.

Water testing is a great tool, but the ultimate water quality meter is the diversity of life living in the water. Once you establish the limiting factors of your local ecosystem such as predators, pollution, salinity, calcium, magnesium, trace elements, dominant species (algae etc.), lighting, water movement and temperature, you can adjust these accordingly in your private peace of ocean.

 

[mr.wilson]

Hey nahham, can you tell me why u chose glass rather than acrylic ?

I'm sure Nahham can give you his reasons, but in general, glass is preferred for viewing panels one meter high or less. Low iron glass (extra clear) such as Starfire is cheap in the UAE as it comes from China not Europe or North America. We get a frost heave here in Canada during the winter so glass is out of the question for outdoor displays in cold climates. I guess the direct sunlight will cause the glass to expand and contract, but the silicone bead will accommodate this.

The obvious benefit of glass is the scratch resistant nature of it. Acrylic however is the material of choice for taller viewing panels. The height of the water above the panel is the only issue with regard to pressure against it. You could have a deeper pool below the viewing panel (in the concrete) thus creating a deeper tank without affecting viewing panel thickness. A deeper pool below the viewing panel gives the illusion of a much deeper tank. The same is true of the sides of the viewing panels, the sides look like they extend farther than they actually do.

 

[Oldude]

Congrats on being voted Thread of the month for May!

 

[mr.wilson]

Congrats on being voted Thread of the month for May!

Congratulations! Now the pressure is on The good news is you will have some new ideas from the bigger audience.

 

[j-dizzle]

coming along great!!! and congrats on thread of the month! you have my vote!

 

[dbend2001]

I'm sure Nahham can give you his reasons, but in general, glass is preferred for viewing panels one meter high or less. Low iron glass (extra clear) such as Starfire is cheap in the UAE as it comes from China not Europe or North America. We get a frost heave here in Canada during the winter so glass is out of the question for outdoor displays in cold climates. I guess the direct sunlight will cause the glass to expand and contract, but the silicone bead will accommodate this.

The obvious benefit of glass is the scratch resistant nature of it. Acrylic however is the material of choice for taller viewing panels. The height of the water above the panel is the only issue with regard to pressure against it. You could have a deeper pool below the viewing panel (in the concrete) thus creating a deeper tank without affecting viewing panel thickness. A deeper pool below the viewing panel gives the illusion of a much deeper tank. The same is true of the sides of the viewing panels, the sides look like they extend farther than they actually do.

My tank would be atleast 30m in length, in every two meters there will be 3m X 4m space for either glass or acrylic. The tank would hold over 590,000 Gallon.

(I will probably upload a blueprint of the tank by the end of the day)

I'm worried about the thickness of the glass/arcylic or whatever type Im going to use (Based on my calculation I would need atleast 20cm glass thickness Im not sure if that is true) Need Help!

My Tank would be an outdoor tank as well

 

[nahham]

I voted for this thread as TOTM. Looks like you are in the lead at this point. Also, your tank looks small in this last pic. Never thought I would say that.

Thanks for your vote. It is funny how a person's perception plays tricks on him/her.

Hey nahham, can you tell me why u chose glass rather than acrylic ?

Mr.Wilson answered you and as always was articulate in detailing everything. In a more simplistic answer, you can get acrylic here that is as clear as glass, but it will cost much much more and discoloration is a problem when using outdoors. Also, glass is tougher when it comes to scratches.

What is the cost of freshwater in your area?

What kind of sea life do you have immediately behind your property?

I can't really tell you. There is many types of fish, crabs, and other lifeforms. We also have a mangrove forest not to far from here as well.

We were brainstorming and my brother came up with an idea that I wanted to pass by everyone here: What if I grew mangroves all through my fish farm? The area is 11m x 8m x 1.4m. I could fill it with mangrove trees and close the system and then top it off from the saltwater well (depending on the results I get from the water test).

Congrats on being voted Thread of the month for May!

Thank you very much. I'm so happy I've won.

Congratulations! Now the pressure is on The good news is you will have some new ideas from the bigger audience.

Thanks Shawn. I would like to thank everyone that voted for my thread. I know there isn't much here right now, but the potential is great.

Everyone, please bear with me .