Very Large poured concrete tank?

[Aqualund]

So Yeah I've been reading Bill Wann's (the guy with the 20k reef tank in Illinois) random threads around the internet, but conveniently all of the key pictures are missing, and his typing gives me a headache.

I am opening a store and would like a 5-7k gallon tank. I would like to do poured reinforced concrete for everything except the viewing window.

So I can see that this can be done, obviously. But what I need to know is:

• 
  How does 2-part marine epoxy hold up over say a 10 year period over poured concrete? what are the downfalls of this method?

• 
  what is the largest size piece of glass or acrylic I can use for this method?

• 
  what would one use to seal the glass/acrylic to the poured concrete frame?

• 
  Does anyone know what contractor poured the concrete for Bill Wann's tank?

 

[billsreef]

Public aquariums and aquaculture outfits have been doing poured tanks for decades, nothing new there. There are coatings made for doing cement tanks available from places like Pentair Aquatic Ecosystems. Typically hold up plenty long. Size of window depends on size of tank and depth of pocket, I've seen some rather large one piece glass and acrylic windows in public aquariums...all bedded in silicone, utilizing spacers to ensure proper and consistent gap between window and tank. BTW, any good cement contractor can pour the cement. While we might think of a tank as a speciality, poured reinforced cement walls with window holes framed in for bedding a window is nothing special to a cement guy Only special part is we need to make it all waterproof and safe for things to live inside. Oh, don't forget to plan out filtration and plumbing penetration needs before the pour. While such can be drilled for after the fact, it's better to get them done initially.

 

[Aqualund]

Hey Thanks bill. So what do you think about material for spacers?

 

[billsreef]

Silicone. I've heard of silicone tile spacers and other similar sorts of bits of silicone rubber from the likes of Home Depot being used.

 

[tank121]

My brotherinlaw did a 15,000 gal poured concrete shark tank for a LFS in Cincinnati. I dont know all the details of how he built the tank but I can PM you his contact info if you would like to ask him some questions .

 

[Aqualund]

Yes please that would be great!

 

[wolfblue]

• 
  How does 2-part marine epoxy hold up over say a 10 year period over poured concrete? what are the downfalls of this method?

You must use a product made for zoo/aquarium fish farm. Pentair AES

• 
  what is the largest size piece of glass or acrylic I can use for this method?

I saw one that must have been 2400 square feet, bonded in place. You could go 5'x10' and it would only be real expensive. Bigger gets to the bizarre expensive range.

• 
  what would one use to seal the glass/acrylic to the poured concrete frame?

You will have a stainless steel angle frame custom made with j-bolts welded all along the back where it sets into the concrete. The seal could be silicone gooped in and then squish the window in and bolt it up. But that's going to be a heavy window and you have one chance to get it right. And its going to leak, and you wont be able to fix it. Better if you get a custom made seal. Then the window goes in and a stainless plate clamps it in with SS bolts. SS=$$.

If you want to do it right I can send you contact info for Water Life Designs, part of Pentair AES. They will get the right general contractor, supply all life support systems and have it installed. Or they can do part, like ship you the window/gasket and frame. And they build custom filtration package units.

 

[Tweakes182]

Following along I am very interested.

 

[LelandF.]

You can also order fiberglass tubs in very large sizes, with pre-installed windows. The Waikiki Aquarium's reef display with their 3 adult T.gigas is fiberglass, and it's massive. At least 20'x6'x6' just by the looks of it.

Leland