Swimming pool conversion into Reef Aquarium

[dirk_brijs]

doing research on what to think about and how to deal with a swimming pool conversion into a marine Aquarium.
I have come across a few interesting threads in here but if anyone can re-direct to as much reading material as possible would be appreciated
A very interesting thread I found was in a South African Forum

http://www.marineaquariumsa.com/reef-hunters/1087-twenty-six-thousand-litre-marine-pond.html

he claims in his thread (as his pool is not covered) rain does not effect his salinity?
I understand too that due to the total water volume I am sue the system can take on quit some water but I am sure with some serious rainfall it must have some ill effect right? How can this be dealt with as again the project is in Thailand with some serious monsoon rains possible here?

 

[dave.m]

Perhaps you could elaborate a bit about what you are planning. You say "swimming pool" but the SA thread you linked is only a garden pond. What size are you actually contemplating? Olympic sized?

I would think that evaporation would be a big concern in hot climates, not just rainfall. Rainfall could be contained/controlled by raising the borders to eliminate any run-off from entering the pool. Covering the pool partially or completely could be accomplished with extended eaves from the house or by using a dedicated transparent plastic roof set up like a pergola.

Dave.M

 

[dirk_brijs]

its a small open air pool of about 6m long and about 3 m wide

 

[dirk_brijs]

I remember a thread in here about a guy rebuilding a pool into an aquarium
can anyone find it as I dont seem to find anything?

 

[Raul-7]

Cover the pond when it rains.

 

[Puffyluv]

Cover it when the sun comes out, too, lol...it will overheat. My 13000 gallon systems get close even with shades, fans, and an evaporative cooler...

 

[dirk_brijs]

started to draw the pool
its about 8.40m (27.5') long and 4m (13') wide and has an all round depth of 1.45m (4.7')
I believe it to be a water volume of about 470.000liter (124100gallon)
If other know how to exact calculate it please correct me.
one idea would be to place a thick piece of acrylic on top of the water throughout a part of the pool so one can walk on top of the aquarium and have a large viewing glass on top of the pool? The rest of the pool will be open making sure no rain water can run into it from around so to try and minimize rain water intake. I hope the minimal amount of rain water intake would not effect the entire systems salinity too much due to overall large water volume?

 

[dirk_brijs]

Cover it when the sun comes out, too, lol...it will overheat. My 13000 gallon systems get close even with shades, fans, and an evaporative cooler...

I think due to the extreme volume with good water movement added would actually create a stable cool water temperature by itself. System will still be helped by some massive cooling units if required.

 

[dave.m]

one idea would be to place a thick piece of acrylic on top of the water throughout a part of the pool

Given your tropical location I would expect any direct sunlight on this piece of acrylic would probably cook your pool.

Again, I suggest you consider a pergola sort of arrangement with a blue tinted transparent plastic sheet draped like a tent over top, similar to the blue plastic sheeting used here in greenhouses and solatubes used for coral farming. The colour helps to prevent problem algae from taking hold and helps to imitate the colour of deeper water where coral grows.

Dave.M

 

[Puffyluv]

Given your tropical location I would expect any direct sunlight on this piece of acrylic would probably cook your pool.

Again, I suggest you consider a pergola sort of arrangement with a blue tinted transparent plastic sheet draped like a tent over top, similar to the blue plastic sheeting used here in greenhouses and solatubes used for coral farming. The colour helps to prevent problem algae from taking hold and helps to imitate the colour of deeper water where coral grows.

Dave.M

Yup, this is exactly what we have.

A large body of water doesn't change temperature fast, it's true...and that will work against you as well as for you. When your pool heats up to 80 degrees one day, then cannot cool off enough at night - the next day you may be up to 82 or more.

Yes, a large cooling system would definitely be needed - especially if you were wanting to give it full strength sun - which will probably cook most of your corals with UV. Agreed, acrylic won't protect them from this...and would make evaporative cooling impossible...forcing you to rely even more on an enormous chiller...

 

[dirk_brijs]

Yup, this is exactly what we have.

A large body of water doesn't change temperature fast, it's true...and that will work against you as well as for you. When your pool heats up to 80 degrees one day, then cannot cool off enough at night - the next day you may be up to 82 or more.

Yes, a large cooling system would definitely be needed - especially if you were wanting to give it full strength sun - which will probably cook most of your corals with UV. Agreed, acrylic won't protect them from this...and would make evaporative cooling impossible...forcing you to rely even more on an enormous chiller...

OK the tank would be fish only by the way no corals in it. The choice even to make it fresh or saltwater is still up in the air but my preference goes out to saltwater. Owner is more into Koi but I am trying to convince him. yes a super cooling system is already in place now keeping the actual swimming pool in a pleasant temperature now. See my next post as I came up with some sort of a solution in maybe building small bungalow style structures. see next post.

 

[dirk_brijs]

here it is what you guys think of this concept.
Building like ocean style bungalows on stilts so both area (which will be about 2.8m x 1.7m) will be covered by a roof and the actual floor of the bungalows will be a 4" thick acrylic plate resting on top of the water again to walk on and create massive viewing panes below into the water. at that size a small relaxing sofa can even be added for a drink on the water. So I think I have created sufficient shadow area now over the pool now just need to find something to solve the rain and the salinity issues or non issues? as it is a fish only tank would salinity swings be as harmful?

 

[dirk_brijs]

on the drawings now the tiling is still there but in reality all tiling plus a layer of the current concrete will be scraped away (chlorine contamination) and replaced with rock like structures most likely produced with some sort of resin. the bottom will be covered with live sand and large life rock taken out of the ocean which is about 200m away from this guys home.

 

[joshky]

on the drawings now the tiling is still there but in reality all tiling plus a layer of the current concrete will be scraped away (chlorine contamination) and replaced with rock like structures most likely produced with some sort of resin. the bottom will be covered with live sand and large life rock taken out of the ocean which is about 200m away from this guys home.

Sounds like it will be one impressive FOWLR! I can't wait to see this take shape, good luck with it! :thumbsup:

 

[DivingTheWorld]

You should check out a hotel online we've stayed at a couple times. It's called the Palau Royal Resort on Koror Island, Palau. They have a huge outdoor saltwater pond with hundreds of fish, clams and even a turtle or two. I don't think they have any corals, but it's been a year since we were last there and I can't remember. You're design of the bungalows reminds me of it. You might give them a call and see if there is someone you could speak to about their hits and misses when setting up their pond and any suggestions they might have.

 

[dave.m]

If it is shaded you won't be able to grow coral. Is that your intention? If the acrylic is kept on the surface of the water you will not get sufficient gas exchange. If the acrylic is too close to the water evaporation will cloud the acrylic so that it won't be transparent. The acrylic would have to be at least 50-60 cm off the water surface to stay clear.

Dave.M

 

[tidus10]

Cover the pond when it rains.

this is not required.. rain water will sit on top of the salt water and not mess with salinity. It will just evap off..

 

[cabinetman123]

This would be so cool if you can pull it off. Looking forward to seeing this done! Subscribed for sure.

 

[Puffyluv]

this is not required.. rain water will sit on top of the salt water and not mess with salinity. It will just evap off..

Confused about this...it seems even the fish swimming by would mix it!

Oh, nice, yes I think you are probably onto something there! As you said, it is not as important for the fish to have a stable temp and salinity - way less risk for the elements messing you up.

With big enough and expensive enough equipment you could even make coral work...but with what you have planned I think you would have good success with fish. I would recommend a white or light blue resin...reflecting the sun.

Yes, I know that hotel in Palau! Just what I was thinking of when I saw this drawing also! I think they may just draw water in from the ocean there, though...not sure, but it is very impressive!

 

[DivingTheWorld]

Yeah, they're on a lagoon. I believe they draw from the lagoon up to a waterfall at one end and then it drains back into the lagoon at the other. Basically a continuous water change! The pond is indeed cool, but not as nice as the diving there. My favorite place in the world for diving.

I agree on the rainwater that it wouldn't just sit on top. But I would think that with the volume of water, some rain wouldn't make that much of a difference. Plus with the humidity there, it would evaporate out of the pool fairly quickly. Monsoon season could be an issue though...

What about a retractable rain cover like an awning which could be rolled out in case of a rain storm? You could even wire it into an Apex somehow to have it automatically roll out if the salinity drops too much?