What would you do with this tank??

[reef_research]

I will most likely change the dimensions to something a little less deep, but I am very pleased with the suggestions, particularily pertaining to the gradual slope scheme w/ mangroves.

I've though of several big cost cutters.


1) Using natural light, IE, greenhouse, or the like

2) Using some DIYLR for base, etc.

I had a sudden thought for the LR:

Suppose I manufactured several hundred pieces of LR that were already cured. If I could get just one or two pieces placed in many different tanks, allowing the tanks biological diversity to become "cloned" onto the rock, I could then recollect the rocks and end up with a massive amount of diversity in the tank.

Something like a "rock loaning system".

Any thoughts?

 

[tacocat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9427662#post9427662 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kwl1763
The rock would be a non issue (except for the $10k you'd drop on it). You could easily get 1200-1500#s at a time in a normal pickup. 2 or 3 weeks in a row and you'd be done.

You'd still need to work that out with a place that has the capability to recieve pickup loads of live rock.

Load it into a pick up truck, huh? I'm glad it's your back and hands not mine.

 

[beez]

You might even be able to keep a tang Just ONE though.

 

[reef_research]

Hmmmn, Anyone want to take a gander at how much filtration a group of 8' tall mangroves would provide?

 

[jayo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9428047#post9428047 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reef_research
Hmmmn, Anyone want to take a gander at how much filtration a group of 8' tall mangroves would provide?

almost none - mangroves are slow growers.

Do you want to imitate a mangrove ecosystem? There are a lot of common hobby corals that really won't do well in this habitat.

What animals do you want to keep? Without knowing that, it is useless to try to design a system.

 

[reef_research]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9428791#post9428791 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jayo
almost none - mangroves are slow growers.
The woody growth, yes, but I would imagine the nutrient export from leaves to be a great deal higher, no?
Do you want to imitate a mangrove ecosystem? That depends on how you define a mangrove ecosytstem. If by that you mean a "swamp" or root tangle, then no. If by a small group of mangrove adjacent to a reef that contribute to filtration similar to the wild, then yes. There are a lot of common hobby corals that really won't do well in this habitat.
Which ones? Can you explain, or is it due to the "nutrient soup" that deep mangrove environments provide?
What animals do you want to keep? Honestly couldn't tell you an exact estimate, but most likely a community setup with lots of smaller fish for a diverse collection [/B] Without knowing that, it is useless to try to design a system. [/B]

Any thoughts?

Thank you,

 

[OnlyCrimson]

Two triangular mounds with a channel in between them. Kinda like this \_/ /_\ . This could take up 6 feet or less. Then in the remaining 4 feet I would keep it mostly barren. Except a few small rock piles or stackings that are not very high. This open area would give a little more open space for the fish to swim. Also the rock mountains could be smaller in size to make lighting more feasabile. I would not make a home tank so big unless you have the thousands and thousands of dollars to build and maintain in. Because it will cost money to run and maintain it.

 

[reef_research]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9081548#post9081548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lessthanlights
If I had a 3500 gallon budget I wouldn't make a 6ft deep tank- that would be a nightmare to clean and maintain. Instead it could be something like 14x14x3.5 QUOTE]

Assuming this was employed and that the tank would be in a greenhouse, and that the LR was all DIY, what options should be utilized?

 

[lessthanlights]

Everyone is obviously concerned about the prohibitive cost of a tank this size. So reef_research set us strait- what is you start-up budget and monthly maintenance budget? You are going to get much better responses if people know what you have to work with.

 

[reef_research]

Thank you for your concern. however, please keep in mind that this is not a get-up-and-build-the-tank thread. I'm only developing upon a loose idea of a large tank, and would like some suggestions as to the most efficient means of accomplishing this.

Thank you,

 

[lessthanlights]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9429260#post9429260 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reef_research
Thank you for your concern. however, please keep in mind that this is not a get-up-and-build-the-tank thread. I'm only developing upon a loose idea of a large tank, and would like some suggestions as to the most efficient means of accomplishing this.

Thank you,

I'm not concerned and it's obvious you are not ready/still planning/dreaming about this tank. I'm just saying there MANY MANY MANY choices to be made and often finance are a huge part of that decision. Are you really going to build this tank or are you dreaming of your perfect tank?

 

[reef_research]

I plan on building this tank, but I am going ot need a better idea of what to do beforehand. Again, this is long term planning, most likely a few years will pass before it actually gets built.

Thank you.

 

[lessthanlights]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9429213#post9429213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reef_research

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9081548#post9081548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lessthanlights
If I had a 3500 gallon budget I wouldn't make a 6ft deep tank- that would be a nightmare to clean and maintain. Instead it could be something like 14x14x3.5 QUOTE]

Assuming this was employed and that the tank would be in a greenhouse, and that the LR was all DIY, what options should be utilized?

If you put the tank in a greenhouse you are likely going to have a difficult time stabilizing the temperature swings from night and day. Maybe a geothermal cooling reservoir system. And a natural lightning system will also depend heavily on where you live- southern Florida sure but Connecticut maybe maybe not.

 

[reef_research]

It seems to work for Solatubes, but supplementals may be needed.

I had previously posed the question in the Solatubes thread. Someone from NW Ohio was using them with success.

I believe that the lighting from the greenhouse would be substantially greater than from Solatubes, so even that may not be necessary.


Can you explain your mention of a "geothermal cooling reservoir system"?

Thank you,

 

[Mahlhavoc]

I don't mean to be a bother here, and think this seems to be more of a question that would fit under:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=10

Advanced Topics
This forum is intended for the discussion of ‘Advanced Topics’. Under this broad heading we hope to act as a resource and share information about difficult to keep animals and advances in technology, ideas, or reef keeping methodologies.

I mean you are just contemplating a build that may happen (or not) and what ideology and technology would others use if a person was to possibly build something of this stature.

Planning landscaping and being a few years out is almost redundant, wouldn't you agree? Between now and two years, the technology will surely change and there will be many other options for you to explore, right now the only thing to really be thought about when looking into a tank of this size, unless you are a multi millionaire, is cost of upkeep and the basic materials such as lighting, filtration, substrate and live rock and of course, the tank itself.

I am not trying to be a buzz kill nor am I suggesting you wont build this, but as far as what people would do if it was theirs to play with and money wasn't a problem, the opinions would fill this thread several times over.

I hope I am not sounding like a mule, I just think that lessthanlights is correct, money should be thought about first or at least a hint of what a budget would be.

Now with that said:


Personally, I would build a pool with excess plumbing in a greenhouse that was heated/cooled that had an acrylic window to my basement. I think it would be cheaper in the long run to build a tank like this and I believe someone already has, I just don't have the link The difference that I would do is you can shallow one end to a beach like edge (instead of stairs) with a mangrove or two there and have real peice of the tropics in your backyard. :rollface:

 

[reef_research]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9430252#post9430252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mahlhavoc
I don't mean to be a bother here, and think this seems to be more of a question that would fit under:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=10

Advanced Topics
This forum is intended for the discussion of ‘Advanced Topics’. Under this broad heading we hope to act as a resource and share information about difficult to keep animals and advances in technology, ideas, or reef keeping methodologies.

This makes sense, how does one go about moving a thread to the appropriate area?

Personally, I would build a pool with excess plumbing in a greenhouse that was heated/cooled that had an acrylic window to my basement. I think it would be cheaper in the long run to build a tank like this and I believe someone already has, I just don't have the link The difference that I would do is you can shallow one end to a beach like edge (instead of stairs) with a mangrove or two there and have real peice of the tropics in your backyard. :rollface:

You've hit it dead on. That was one of my ideas, since visibility would be an issue if it were to be strictly underground. Between your suggestion of the basement window, and multiple suggestions of both increasing the area/decreasing the depth as well as adding a slope, I believe that I may be able to come up with some conservative estimates as to what the maintanence/cost/design of the system will be.

Thank you for your contribution.

Would it help anything if I were to construct a 3D model using Google SketchUp?

Thank you,

 

[reefdna]

To be honest any information would be helpful. You seem to expect everyone to jump on and throw you exactly what you are already looking for without so much as your own boundries for this project. I think it is kind of arrogant, and not to mention, frustrating for those of us trying to share. Here's a few things we need to know to better help you.

Type of enviroment: (Cloudy most of the time, or desert, Hot or cold?) This has a myriad of effects on using types of natural sunlight to heating and filtration.

Type of dwelling: (House, Condo, apartment, highrise) Helps us picture an end product and come up with creative ways to reach that result.

Placement of the tank (ie upstairs downstairs, outside, inside)

Type of tank: Are you more into the fish or the coral? Or a good mix of both? Are you an SPS, LPS softie kinda guy or what?

Type of system: Berlin, BB? Heavy filtration or as natural as possible? Do you want it fully automated with INternet access and control and live webcam 24/7 or is doing a ton of work what brings you to this hobby.

Restraints: this is important not on budget etiher. Restraints on time, restraints on floor joists, restraints on airbornes p[ollutions in your city (outdoors tank)

Budget restraints: This is important because if you have an endless budget I am more likely to NOT refer you to a DIY thread and instead turn you towards higher end mechanics.

I couldn't care less what you think you are worth or have to spend. What I care about is perpetuating this hobby and helping out people who genuinely want to learn and give back. So if you need something ask for it here don't hint and then hope.

Most Sincerely and willing to help

Ed C

 

[reef_research]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9431779#post9431779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefdna
To be honest any information would be helpful. You seem to expect everyone to jump on and throw you exactly what you are already looking for without so much as your own boundries for this project. I think it is kind of arrogant, and not to mention, frustrating for those of us trying to share. Here's a few things we need to know to better help you.

Type of enviroment: (Cloudy most of the time, or desert, Hot or cold?) This has a myriad of effects on using types of natural sunlight to heating and filtration.

Most likely Connecticut, so not the hottest, but heating should not be as problematic.

Type of dwelling: (House, Condo, apartment, highrise) Helps us picture an end product and come up with creative ways to reach that result.

House

Placement of the tank (ie upstairs downstairs, outside, inside)

Ground level, in a green house environment, set in/on concrete
Type of tank: Are you more into the fish or the coral? Or a good mix of both? Are you an SPS, LPS softie kinda guy or what?
A mix would be nice, but not one of those tanks so filled with coral that one must contantly frag to have the tank do well. Most fish in the system will either in small harems, or medium to large schools, with no one dominant species. as for the actual coral, i would prefer to have a majority of stony corals (LPS and SPS), few sof corals, and a wide assortment of photosynthetic clams.
Type of system: Berlin, BB? Heavy filtration or as natural as possible? Do you want it fully automated with INternet access and control and live webcam 24/7 or is doing a ton of work what brings you to this hobby.
DSB, i would prefer to use as many natural functions availible, but I realize that if certain equipment must be addded, that is fine as well. I would like to keep the system as simple as possible, especially regarding electronic controllong methods, so the Internet access in not a priority. I am willing to work on/in the tank, so that I do not have to rely on automation.

Restraints: this is important not on budget etiher. Restraints on time, restraints on floor joists, (concrete)restraints on airbornes p[ollutions in your city (outdoors tank) Indoors, greenhouse

Budget restraints: This is important because if you have an endless budget I am more likely to NOT refer you to a DIY thread and instead turn you towards higher end mechanics.
I am looking for an estimate, so that I will know how much I need to provide. I am not looking to make a cheap (unreliable) system, however, I simply am looking for the most efficient solution
I couldn't care less what you think you are worth or have to spend. What I care about is perpetuating this hobby and helping out people who genuinely want to learn and give back. So if you need something ask for it here don't hint and then hope.

Most Sincerely and willing to help

Ed C

Anything else?

Also, can someone direct me to where I can find data as to sunlight penetration vs depth?

Thank you,

 

[Tigger240]

thereeftank.com is where you will find bills 17000 gallon tank thread with pictures to boot.

 

[clekchau]

something that big i would probably do a shark tank