Very large tank options(1000g+)

[kentrob11]

OK so I am starting documentation on a system that at the moment will be appx 1300 gallons and since my developer and I are going to design elements of the system into the blueprint for our home, I figured I'd start some dialogue here about it and get some input. I am doing a large tank that will be an in-wall in the basement facing a theater room. I want to go very large on this system but found that there were some very real concerns surrounding a couple of the different build materials for a tank this large.

I looked at glass first and almost imediately ruled it out due to the cost, weight, and potential for blown seams.

Then I looked at acrylic and discovered that I could practically buy another house for what the tank would cost! It would also require a cleaning commitment I am not willing to make due to the fact that I insist on a nice clean black background, not one covered with coraline.

This left me with an idea. I have seen it done a couple of times and after some thought, I think it would be the best idea for what I want to accomplish with this system. Here's what I've got in mind:

Interior tank dimensions 9'L x 5'W x 4'T (Just under 1350 gallons)
Rebar reinforced 6" thick concrete walls with 8'L x 3'T viewing window
Open top, rimless(obviously)
3/4" thick Starfire glass viewing pane

There are obviously the tasks of surfacing and epoxy sealing the concrete interior and whatnot so I'm aware of that. I'd like some input on a proposal like this before I have the developer incorporate the concrete portion of the tank into the basement pour portion of the blue prints.

I plan on having 1/4" thick black acrylic sheets that hang on hooks covering the inside walls of the tank so I can easily slide them out to scrub down once a month or so. Heck, I may even pay a neighborhood kid to do it I'll most likely do prop pumps on rotation devices using laguna pumps as well. Lighting would be a combination 400watt MH with Lumenmax reflectors and blue LEDs. (until full LED or Plasma proves to be a cost effective alternative) The sumps and filtration systems will be built by me and are still in the design phase.

Thoughts, suggestions, comments?

 

[chasekwe]

Just curious about having an aquarium, a large one at that, in a theater room. Won't the lighting from the tank mess up the movie watching experience and won't the heavy bass of a proper surround sound setup be disturbing to the tank inhabitants?

Anyways, just curious like I said, maybe someone with a tank in a similar setting will chime in.

 

[kentrob11]

Good point...I think the room would better be described as a glorified family room. It's bassically a 20 x 15 room with a 60+ inch flat panel, a nice 7:1 surround system and a big cushy sectional. There won't be much light spillage since nothing will be placed within 12" or so of any interior wall of the tank therefore I'll be "spot" lighting with halides and filling in with lesser lighting...

 

[skanderson]

i like the dimensions of your build. i am thinking of going bigger in a couple years and was thinking of 3feet deep and 5 feet wide. you may need thicker glass at the 36 inch depth but im not an expert on this. if you have the glass start near the surface of the water and then leave 10 inches below it you may well be ok on thickness. i would consider having the top of the glass pane having a peice of steel L to hold the glass in place to help prevent bowing. i was also thinking of using removable back panels. my idea was too leave the panels out of the tank except for when im viewing or taking pics. that was you dont need to clean them at all. if you go 4 feet deep i think that the 400 watt lights on lumenbright reflectors would be good and you would need 8 depending on how you place things. if you were to go with a 36 inch tank you could probably use 250s in lumenbrights, or go with 400s in a wider pattern reflector. if you are thinking about water flow you need to see the pump on the deep tank that is getting built in germany. im not sure if they will ever be available but it is very impressive and would cover your water motion needs. good luck on the build and i hope to be stealing alot of your ideas in a couple years.

 

[David MC Lee]

You might want to stop by and take a look at my 800G. Its 10'x5'x30". I'm about 2 hours north east of you. Here is a pic (from the back bottom) of it being moved into our house. Its custom built Glass/Steel/Plywood.

 

[kentrob11]

Interesting...Do you have any more pictures of it?

 

[shelby28]

have you thought of what to use to seal the tank iv heard pond armor is amazing and is easy use and it comes in what ever color you like

 

[kentrob11]

It would most likely be epoxy paint. I haven't narrowed that down yet...Black the color of choice obviously

 

[David MC Lee]

Here is a pic before I moved it.

And right after I got it moved into the new basement.

 

[cubsare1]

you may want to check out this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1522045&page=30
if I remember its concrete with 1 pain of acrylic for viewing