How to build my own huge aquarium?

[derrick80f]

We are planning on buying or building a house in 6-9 months. I am considering when we move, selling my current 150g setup and setting up a really big tank. Especially if we build, I can dedicate a large wall to it. I have seen some of the custom tanks online and they are very expensive, even for just a 500g. I'm sure it would be cheaper to build a tank myself.. but I'm not sure how or where to start with something like that. I would want to make sure everything was perfect and there was no chance possible for any leaks or anything, and although I would want like, 1000 gallons, I have no idea on what dimensions would be required for this. Also I would want to be able to perform maintainence without getting in the tank. Lol. Just by using tools and all to clean it. I know it is a long ways off but I also know its good to prepare and know what you're doing. Any advice, links, etc would be appreciated.

 

[reefing102]

I’ve never done DIY with a tank, but do a search for plywood fish tanks and I think you may find something of what you’re looking for.

 

[derrick80f]

I’ve never done DIY with a tank, but do a search for plywood fish tanks and I think you may find something of what you’re looking for.

Thank you

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

length X width X height in inches divided by 231 will give you gallons held.
8" x 3' x 3'= 538 gallons
10' x 3' x 3' = 673 gallons
Got a long way to go yet!

 

[albano]

IMO, the deeper (front to back) the better. My 500g tank is 6’x 5’and I love it…

 

[derrick80f]

Yeah, I found out it has to be 12' x 5' x 30" to be about 1100 gallons. That's really big. Which is why I will build it myself, it shouldn't be too difficult to frame up, seal, etc.. I watched a YouTube video where a guy showed from start to finish the construction of a huge tank. The only problem is the cost of equipment to run it and raise in power bill cost.

 

[albano]

Yeah, I found out it has to be 12' x 5' x 30" to be about 1100 gallons.

You’ll need access to work on all 4 sides … personally, I’d prefer only 24-27” top to bottom, otherwise you’ll have a tough time placing or retrieving anything on the bottom.

Are you planning glass or acrylic?

 

[derrick80f]

You’ll need access to work on all 4 sides … personally, I’d prefer only 24-27” top to bottom, otherwise you’ll have a tough time placing or retrieving anything on the bottom.

Are you planning glass or acrylic?

I wanted 30-32" for a deeper sandbed- and more area for the fish to swim

 

[derrick80f]

I wanted 30-32" for a deeper sandbed- and more area for the fish to swim

And, I guess glass.

 

[reefing102]

I wanted 30-32" for a deeper sandbed- and more area for the fish to swim

I never would have thought about that. If you run a traditional DSB, that’d put you right about 24” or so of swim space.

 

[derrick80f]

I never would have thought about that. If you run a traditional DSB, that’d put you right about 24” or so of swim space.

I'm just throwing around ideas right now. I like the idea of a taller tank. I would just build it right on the floor, not requiring a stand, but then I would want to go 60" tall, for the viewing area to be optimal, and a 60" high, x 12' x 5' would be twice what I was planning, at right around 2000g filled.. not to mention I have no idea how I would keep it clean, and keep up other regular maintenance as well as how to reach the bottom. Plus, I have no idea how a tank like that would be plumbed. I guess out the back at the top?

 

[albano]

I'm just throwing around ideas right now. I like the idea of a taller tank. I would just build it right on the floor, not requiring a stand, but then I would want to go 60" tall, for the viewing area to be optimal, and a 60" high’x 12' x 5'would be twice what I was planning…

IMO/E a tank built on the floor would not be a good idea… there is more ‘action’ in the lower level that would be impossible to see without laying on the floor to be able to view it.
I usually build my stands to have mid-tank at eye level.

 

[derrick80f]

IMO/E a tank built on the floor would not be a good idea… there is more ‘action’ in the lower level that would be impossible to see without laying on the floor to be able to view it.
I usually build my stands to have mid-tank at eye level.

Thanks, I know it is probably expensive to build a steel stand for a tank that large. I can't imagine building the stand out of wood, unless I used 4x4 posts for the corners and middle front and back. I guess I could always double the posts in the center supports, with 4x4s for top of the stand on all sides.. I just think of long term, 10-20 years down the road, the wood holding up to that stress.

 

[derrick80f]

And, I guess glass.

Wouldn't glass be better? Acrylic scratches easy and it would probably be very expensive to get sheets that thick, right? What are the pros and cons to glass vs acrylic?

 

[jjmg]

Glass is much heavier than the acylic and I would imagine even more expensive in the thickness you would need for this tank. I've read that properly bonded acylic will give you stronger seams than glass and in a tank this size you don't want a seam to split. For glass that is probably at least 1.5" think I would have to go with low iron to keep the green color to a minimum, I don't believe acrylic has that problem. Even DIY this is not something for a person on a tight budget. But after you do all your research and if you decide to give it a go I hope you start a build thread to document the process. I'll be following along and wish you success.

 

[kharmaguru]

This calculator says 3/4 glass for that tank:

Aquarium Glass Thickness Calculator

As I recall the depth (30in) is the major determining factor in glass selection. You could make it 24ft long and it would still be that same glass thickness at 30 inches ( of course you would need to Eurobrace and the bottom pane does need to increase).

 

[Timfish]

Why not use multiple standard size tanks? It would be a lot cheaper and they can be connected with 2" or 3" bulk head fittings or placed at an angle with a common sump.

 

[JohnL]

I would just build it right on the floor, not requiring a stand, but then I would want to go 60" tall

WOW that would be awesome

 

[reefing102]

If building right on the floor, maybe consider looking at this thread - it’s a big thread but I think kind of what you’re going for

Monster Build - Anderson Family Reef - Concrete 5K All The Way (Page 33)

For sure! I used rails and sliders from Strip-Crutains.com: https://www.strip-curtains.com/order/track_trolley_hardware.php attached to my ceiling joists with exterior deck screws and washers. I would use Metal Framing Strut Channel for my next project...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[derrick80f]

Why not use multiple standard size tanks? It would be a lot cheaper and they can be connected with 2" or 3" bulk head fittings or placed at an angle with a common sump.

View attachment 32375221

To achieve the size I want of a tank, it would cost more to use multiple connected tanks than to build my own.