reef pond build!!!!

surferboi2113

surferboi2113

New member
okay heres the deal. i've always wanted a reef pond, but until now i didnt have the means or time to construct it. i finally finished a 1500gal indoor pond/pool that i think i will convert into a saltwater pond.

i will post pics soon but imagine a circular hot tub with pink tile(wife chose it) with a stone trickle waterfall from the ceiling complete with underwater pool lights etc. its in my atrium so theres really no fuss or mess.

okay now filtration...i wanted to use a pond pump and filter but even to pond people i talked to here had no clue as to how it'd work. heres a link http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...IEXBT&category=bead_type&vendor=&child=AV8115
my saltwater comes from the waikiki aquarium so its free! figured id just use a 200 gal water bladder with hose attachment from the bed of my truck.

my questions are as follows, what are my filtration options? my plumping is all underground leading to an outdoor shed. also what issues am i getting myself into? stocking? also should i put sand on the bottom or keep it clean looking? im still not sure as to if it is going to be FO/FOWLR/or reef. also skimmer issues water change frequency and amount etc... any suggestions? i always wanted some jacks or something of that sort. the waikiki aquarium has a mahimahi tank that i took the circular idea from. any constructive criticism would be much appreciated.
 
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i dont know this is gonna turn out but i'm definately intrigued and following along! good question posed before though...is this going be a lookdown tank or will it somehow be visible from the sides?
 
Reef Pond

Reef Pond

If I had a large reef pond, I would dig out a underground hallway next to the pond with a tall glass wall to view the tank from underground like they do in zoos. This sounds like a cool project, but it would be better if an underground viewing hall was built.
 
rwhitmore1987
Right On!!! i want an indoor reef pool. one that i can see and drive in. I would live, sleep, and die in there. Forget the Ferrari. Give me the reef pond!
 
just remember you will be looking down into it. A tidepool or mangrove may be interesting. I would look into a very large skimmer. I would not attempt an SPS setup but maybe something lagoonal
 
Sounds fun! People don't get the idea of ponds, there is no look through window. Try making a 1500g tank for less then $500, not happening. For people who want a big tank but don't have a lot of money, ponds are the way to go!

As far as filtration goes, don't mess with pond filters, thats mainly for freshwater/koi etc, not going to work in a salt setup. You need to basically run this like a 1500g salt tank. I'd have a seperate tank for filtration, either create an overflow to the tank or run a pump to it and have it overflow back into the pond. Have a huge skimmer like stated, maybe put your heaters in there and a refugium.

How are you going to have flow in the pond? I'd go mostly fish only, maybe some sharks, lookdowns that you want, some large tangs, maybe an eel or grouper, some damsels possibly (might slowly get eaten) just no triggers, angels, butterflies or puffers with sharks. You could also add some nice softies in there, they don't mind dirty water and grow like mad!

Goodluck and keep us all updated!
 
I had a small pond connected to one of my reefs. It wasn't for cosmetic purposes though. I did like viewing the critters from the top down though. I will be setting up a larger one soon.
sn850971editedos8.jpg
 
How awesome!!!! In Binghamton, NY there is somewhat of a saltwater pond with some soft corals and gorgonians. It's very cool and different. Since i saw that one, i've been wanting to do something like that so bad!
 
My LFS has one, but it is a very shallow pool made with thick acrylic borders so you can see from the side and top.

If it is like a "hot tub" with just a top down view I really don't see the point from a reef perspective. To each his own though :D
 
If it will be primarily a top down experience I have my two cents to offer.

Keep in mind surface flow and visibility. I created a 75 gallon top down tank out of a rubbermaid container for fun to get a feel for the top down experience. Since it was a rubbermaid container, I couldn't easily plumb for an overflow. Two problems I ran into were surface scum and agitation of the surface from my powerheads and pumps which reduced visibility greatly. Make sure you figure an overflow system to take care of these issues.
 
i love the idea!

do you have a bottom drain, skimmer?

what is the construction material? liner. concrete?

is your lighting all natural?

corals are illegal in Hawaii so you will be limited to fish.

i would not use the bead filter although that one is a good one for a small koi pond.

i have three of their filters in different sizes for my koi.

your pump needs to be rated for salt water.

is it above or below ground?

can you post some pix?

i love the waikiki aquarium and their reef tank is one of the best in the world.
 
Just have to say if you go through with this GET ARCHERFISH! This would be the perfect setup for them ;) I have mine in my 75g reef and he gets my canopy wet but is awesome to watch!
 
I think that is an amazing idea will definitely be following this one. I always wanted to know if something like that was possible.
 
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