huge tank planning
- Thread starter thelizardkin
- Start date
d3hree
New member
I agree with all of the above advice. I am not familiar with the $$ price tags of the materials and equipment you will need to purchase for that tank but your estimate seems very very low.
Consider that a project like this needs to be planned extremely well not only for production but also for running costs. There is no point having a massive reef tank like this if you cant afford to maintain it and keep it looking stunning.
I wish you the best of luck with it and if it proves that you can build and maintain a reef tank this size with the budgets you suggest I for one will be on the first flight out to where ever you live!
Consider that a project like this needs to be planned extremely well not only for production but also for running costs. There is no point having a massive reef tank like this if you cant afford to maintain it and keep it looking stunning.
I wish you the best of luck with it and if it proves that you can build and maintain a reef tank this size with the budgets you suggest I for one will be on the first flight out to where ever you live!
NaClH20NMYVEIN
Red Dragons!
:headwalls: I think most people with 300G+ tanks have over $10K into them and your talking about doing a 4000G system on that budget!. Your missing a 0 on your $10K estimate. I really hope you save yourself some heartache and do some more research.
dirk_brijs
Active member
might he maybe mean a 4000liter tank?
cubsare1
New member
:lolspin: :spin2: Thanks I needed that laugh
7 400w ballasts = $980
7 reflectors = $910
7 400w bulbs = $420
------
$2310
Your already $1300 over your lighting budget, and thats with 400w bulbs not 1000w like you posted earlier. I DO wish you the best but I don't think you understand the costs involved
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RandyFolds
Reef Troll
Hahaha...
$500 for brick? I am not in construction, but even I know that is ridiculous.
$1000 for glass? Keep trying...double that at least.
$500 for epoxy? Have you ever been to West Marine? Ever paid $200 for a gallon and a half of epoxy?
$1000 for lights...that aren't rated for saltwater.
$500 for pumps? Makes that pump-S and figure about 6 to 8 times your estimate.
$1000 for sand and rock...uhhh...maybe you should google that one a bit...
$1000 for everything else; plumbing, wiring, dehum system, fans, heaters, chillers, skimmers, circulation, bulbs, and so on.
Wow.
James404
I <3 Acros
Yea 10k is definitely not even close. Just to put it in perspective...I'm upgrading to a 225 at the moment from a 75, even reusing a lot of my equipment I am still almost at 10k right now on the upgrade. Your looking at probably 100K+. Not to mention the electric bills, at a guess I would say over 2000 a month?
Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to rain on your parade here, if you have the means to do this type of project it is awesome, but it really requires a lot of thought and money.
Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to rain on your parade here, if you have the means to do this type of project it is awesome, but it really requires a lot of thought and money.
RandyFolds
Reef Troll
I feel the same way. I am not trying to rain on the parade, but you have to be realistic. If you can only afford $10k on the build, how do you plan to finance the maintenance and operating cost?
I run an aquarium service in Los Angeles. I regularly set up tanks and know what things costs wholesale. You are selling yourself way short on budget. Figure at least double that to do it safely, and quadruple to do it correctly.
Gene has the best point thus far. PLANNING. You should think this over for at least three or four months, if not a year, during which you draft a real plan and complete scale drawings and research the feasibility of each idea as it comes.
Your comment about 'looking up' concretes strength and the values you came to are not to be relied upon. Every pour of concrete is a different mix, and even the best contractors have bad pours. What matters is your concrete foundation, not what the internet says.
You are talking about 50,000+ pounds here. Hypotheticals aren't going to cut it. To depend on a previously poured foundation for this would be reckless and foolish. Build your tank from the bottom up. That includes breaking out the old foundation and pouring a new one. To forgo that step would be to skip the best safeguard you have against a disaster.
RandyFolds
Reef Troll
You also mention plumbing a QT into the system. That is not a quarantine tank...UV on the water draining from it will not prevent disease transmission into your display.
People always think you need more light than you actually do. Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco uses 1000w Halides and grow SPS down to about 15' depth in their ~20' deep tanks. I am not sure if you are talking 8' depth or 5' depth, but either way, 400 watters are more than sufficient.
People always think you need more light than you actually do. Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco uses 1000w Halides and grow SPS down to about 15' depth in their ~20' deep tanks. I am not sure if you are talking 8' depth or 5' depth, but either way, 400 watters are more than sufficient.
thelizardkin
New member
Hahaha...
$500 for brick? I am not in construction, but even I know that is ridiculous.
the cinderblocks would be less than 500 they cost a buck each and i would need about 300
$1000 for glass? Keep trying...double that at least.
i just got a price it would be $2012 for 2 8'x4'x1" pains of acrylic
$500 for epoxy? Have you ever been to West Marine? Ever paid $200 for a gallon and a half of epoxy?
3g of pond armor is $600 that covers 600 square feet the tank would be about 400
$1000 for lights...that aren't rated for saltwater.
a 1000w metal halide Ballast costs around $100 i would need 6 then i can diy the housing and the bulbs would be another $100 a piece
$500 for pumps? Makes that pump-S and figure about 6 to 8 times your estimate.
a 5000gph pump is $100 i would need about 10
$1000 for sand and rock...uhhh...maybe you should google that one a bit...
2 tons of aragonite sand is $2000 and i would make my own live rock
$1000 for everything else; plumbing, wiring, dehum system, fans, heaters, chillers, skimmers, circulation, bulbs, and so on.
Wow
so it would be a little more than i said but not $50k
$500 for brick? I am not in construction, but even I know that is ridiculous.
the cinderblocks would be less than 500 they cost a buck each and i would need about 300
$1000 for glass? Keep trying...double that at least.
i just got a price it would be $2012 for 2 8'x4'x1" pains of acrylic
$500 for epoxy? Have you ever been to West Marine? Ever paid $200 for a gallon and a half of epoxy?
3g of pond armor is $600 that covers 600 square feet the tank would be about 400
$1000 for lights...that aren't rated for saltwater.
a 1000w metal halide Ballast costs around $100 i would need 6 then i can diy the housing and the bulbs would be another $100 a piece
$500 for pumps? Makes that pump-S and figure about 6 to 8 times your estimate.
a 5000gph pump is $100 i would need about 10
$1000 for sand and rock...uhhh...maybe you should google that one a bit...
2 tons of aragonite sand is $2000 and i would make my own live rock
$1000 for everything else; plumbing, wiring, dehum system, fans, heaters, chillers, skimmers, circulation, bulbs, and so on.
Wow
so it would be a little more than i said but not $50k
thelizardkin
New member
if i use 400w i don't need much more light i have alot and the tank is 5' deep
8' wide
RandyFolds
Reef Troll
That was 50,000 pounds, aka lbs., the english unit of weight measurement. I don't think I ever said $50k anywhere.
You are going to use 10 5,000gph pumps that only cost $100 each? Are they from harbor freight, or what? You should get two quality high capacity pumps that move at least 200 gallons per minute. It is less electricity and less failure.
As I said above, 1000w is way way overkill on a 5' deep tank, and will create a massive heat issue.
This is what I do for a living. I am telling you right now, even pinching pennies till they bleed, expect to be in for at least $20k on completion, and if you set it up to start like you will wish you had set it up after a couple years, expect to be in $40k.
RandyFolds
Reef Troll
Or have me do it for $75k.
NaClH20NMYVEIN
Red Dragons!
Care to share a link for your 5000GPH $100 pump? IMO your overlooking so many things but at this point it seems your one of those people that have to learn for themselves. Please dont take that as rude (I'm one of those people as well most of the time). I would not use 1" think acrylic for a 5 foot deep tank. I think it will bow way too much. You have also not factored in any livestock into your budget. Livestock alone could run you over $10K in a tank this size. Good luck on your adventure.
http://www.filterace.com/PDF/w5000-s.pdf
Are you talking a pump like this? It's not intended for saltwater usage.
Are you talking a pump like this? It's not intended for saltwater usage.
jd474
New member
I work on tanks this size, and much, much bigger on a daily basis. They take a TON of planning, consultants who know what they're talking about, time, more planning, and even more money. If you are serious about this, hire someone who has proven themselves, and go from there. But no way can you do something this size for under $50K through to completion. Also, operating costs are astronomical on aquariums this size.
bullitr
broke but happy
For that big of a tank you need atleast TUNZE master stream or hydro wizard
$ 100 pumps is not going to cut it maybe your talking about koralia magnum...
Randyfolds is very knowledgable
Trust me he grilled me many times....
But I will take his words than 99% of the people here.
$ 100 pumps is not going to cut it maybe your talking about koralia magnum...
Randyfolds is very knowledgable
Trust me he grilled me many times....
But I will take his words than 99% of the people here.
RandyFolds
Reef Troll
OMG. 1" Acrylic? Hahahahaha. It depends on his viewing window size, but 1" will definitely not cut it unless it is like, kitchen window sized. If you want a ~5'x~16' viewing window, you will probably need at least 2", more likely 2.5". I got an acrylic guy for things like that...
NaCl is right about the pumps. A bunch of crap Harbor Freight pumps are not going to cut it in saltwater, and particularly for this application.
thelizardkin
New member
the viewing window will be a little less than 8x4 with 2 panes of acrylic
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