A BIG Tank project.

I'm building a BIG tank. When I say big I mean HUGE! At the moment the largest tank I have is 450g and that one will look like a nano next to this one that I'm about to build. Hehe now that I have your attention I'll begin


So I'm having to tear out an entire wall of my fishroom because I have discovered that termites and some other bugs have taken up residence inside it. Now this wall is actually two walls. Both made from brick and cement but there is a four inch gap in between that is filled with styrofoam. This is to keep the heat of the Indian summer out of my house and more importantly my fishroom! The builders were supposed to put in a piping system inside the wall so it wouldn't look bad inside the room but, of course, forgot to put the pip in BUT they did put the space for the pipe inside the wall. So I'm assuming that's how the bugs got in. Well now I can hear noise from the bugs and I have nasty HUGE bugs coming into my fish room. It's NASTY.

Now because we are having to pull the entire wall out my house mate suggested that we extend the room so that I can put in a bigger tank. Well when he said bigger I thought he meant like a 150 gallon or 200 gallon at most. WELL I was wrong. He has decided that he's going to give me a late birthday present as he was out of town for my birthday. So now we are extending my fishroom another 15 feet out and widening it 4 feet. By widening it I'll be able to fit the new tank in and put in another cupboard in which I'll store food and equipment.

The tank is going to be huge so my house mate and I are going to split the cost half and half. Which is more than fair ;D in my opinion.

The dimensions of this massive tank are going to be 24 long 4 wide 4 tall. Hehe and that's in feet. In inches it would be 288" long 48" wide and 48" tall. That equals a monstrous 2872.52g if I calculated correctly.

Construction starts on Saturday

 

Oh my. That's a huge tank! It will be interesting to watch your progress as you build this tank.

Good luck and have fun!

Oh, happy belated birthday.

 

Oooooh are you going to get a Mermaid? : D! haha Congrats!

 

Thanks! It turns out that I have to make the tank right there on the stand because (1) It will be difficult to move and (2) the aquarium makers chickened out. ;D Also the builders are pretty unsure so I'll probably end up doing all the work with some labor just holding the glass up. I think I'll make a wooden frame and make the tank inside a frame to lessen the work.

I've started construction on the stand! It's gonna look pretty interesting.


EDIT: Hehe thanks Dena! Oh and if there were mermaids in the world I sure would have tried to get one! Haha but the tank would probably be too small.

 

CONGRATS!! pics when done? please?
And why are people suggesting a mermaid for a 4'x4'x24' space? would THEY be happy living in such a small space? I say leave the mermaids where they're at
What are your stocking plans(if you have some) for when it's done?

 

Yippppppeeeeeee!!!!!! Get goin on "it" and the pics!!!!!

 

;D!

I have no stocking plans actually! I won't be able to get pictures of the building project but I will be able to get a picture when it's done.

 

wow that's huuuuuge! When I have my own house I've always wanted to have a huge tank that occupies an entire wall or something! I'm kind of excited about this It should look great! definitely post pics as much as you can!!!

 

Dude, this is awesome!! It might be the Axis of Awesome. But why no pics? I can't wait until you've finished!

 

No pics because my camera is broken and the camera company says it will take over a month to fix by which time my tank will be built and cycled. But the finished product will be AWESOME

 

Man, I can barely wait! So you're predicting this will be completed within the next month? That's just.. And the aquascaping potential! And it is long enough to encompass all or any theme you fancy. You have the room to graduate it and have a different scene every few feet.

... wow.

 

Good morning,

Very nice! It's time for a new camera! lol

Have fun with your project and I hope you share as much of it with us that you can.

I'll be looking forward to updates (photos or not).

Ken

 

Man, I can barely wait! So you're predicting this will be completed within the next month? That's just.. And the aquascaping potential! And it is long enough to encompass all or any theme you fancy. You have the room to graduate it and have a different scene every few feet.

... wow.

Hahaha. Yes the entire project will take a month, including cycling and all . I've already added extra filters with half cycled media to four of my ponds for the tank. The stand will be done within the week which means I have this week for the glass to arrive. Then two weeks for gluing the glass together and letting it cure. Then an entire week to aquascape.

I'm growing out plants in a bunch of my tanks for when I'm done. Because I won't have the tank very long (I'm moving) I will keep it pretty simple but a few hotels have approached me about buying the tank off me and paying me to aquascape it and put fish in. We're finishing the deal tomorrow with the largest hotel in town (so cool ;D). The hotel basically will pay me just under double for what the tank building cost. Then it pay me for any work I do on the tank. It will be a fixed rate on how much I get for my work but I will have as much time as I want so that's good. The hotel is also paying me triple for my filters because they will be already cycled. Then they are giving me an extra 35% on any products that I buy for the tank. So basically I buy a product (such as substrate) they will give me the full price for the product plus 35%. And lastly they are buying ALL their fish from me which I bred in my fishroom.

Oh and to top it all off, this is the best part, a bronze plaque is being put on the corner of the stand that says " Designed and made by Jonathan ______. All live inhabitants of this aquarium have come from Jonathan ______ including fish which were locally bred by Jonathan ______." Then they go on listing the name of my breeding center and offer my card to anyone that wants to get products from me.

I think it will be cool but a bit over the top with the plaque and listing my full name so many times. But the hotel owner, whom I know personally, is insisting.

Very nice! It's time for a new camera! lol

Have fun with your project and I hope you share as much of it with us that you can.

I'll be looking forward to updates (photos or not).

Oh, I'll be sure to keep you all updated on the progress ;D! The new camera arrives after I sell the tank cause that's when I'll have enough money to get the one I want!

 

OMG! I've only ever seen a 12ft tank!

 

Sounds like a great project!!!!

 

Update -


The stand is finished! We just got done adding the last coat of paint and now we are waiting for it to dry. The workers are taking a day off work because the extreme change of weather has left most people sick here, including myself. So work starts again on Tuesday.

We just received the wood with which we are gonna build the frame for the tank. I'm ordering a crane type thing that will lift the glass very slowly and put it in place inside the frame. Also the frame will be adjustable so I can glue everything together while all the glass is inside.

Glass should be arriving tomorrow or the day after. I hope it all gets here safely. The company gave me a confirmation that if any or all the pieces break that they will replace them.

I have put more filters in my pond since I've decided to get a really good filtration for this tank. Now my next project is to build the sump.

 

You are making great progress. Can't wait to see the pictures!

 

+1

 

Well we had troubles with the stand! It rained here and the stand (which was in the process of being painted) warped. SO I had to tear that apart and in the process decided to put in a new set of shelves in it. The stand is now, and forever will be, FINISHED.

Okay so one of 3 shipments of glass arrived a week ago. I ordered my crane so we can fit the glass in so that's in place. That shipment of glass was alright. We measured it all and it was the right size. The second shipment of glass arrived a few days ago. SO we opened it and one of the pieces was completely shattered! We weren't expecting that.

The glass was leaned up against the wall as we were opening the packaging (it is shipped in wood boxes) so when the frame came apart all the glass just fell apart onto all of us that were opening it. Me, my housemate, and 3 of the workers have various cuts and scratches (not to mention bruises from falling on the floor trying to get away from the glass). One worker got pretty badly hurt unfortunately. A rather large piece of glass cut him just below his elbow on the inside of his arm and got lodged in there. I ended up picking him up and running to my cleaning corner with the sink in the fishroom. We cleaned out the wound but couldn't get the glass out so I tied a strong knot above the cut to stop the bleeding and got in the car to go to the hospital. When we got to the hospital we were informed that their surgeons had called in sick (ironic huh?) or were out of town and that we would have to wait for a few days. Well I ended up doing the stitches. Haha don't worry I have taken medical classes and such when I was in college so I know how to do it. We got all the supplies from the hospital and used their surgery room to do it which meant everything was sterile and clean. AND now the guy that got cut is at home recovering with some pain meds.

Thankfully the glass company is replacing the pieces of glass that broke and they should be here Tuesday.

On that cheerful note, my filters are done cycling in the ponds. I've figured out what I'm gonna do with the tank while I have it AND I finished my sump for the tank ;D

 

Oh my.. I sure hope that worker is ok! Hahaha I can't believe the chain of events and coincidences that made this story so dramatic.... What a day it must have been!!!

 

Haha who knew it would be so stressful to make a large tank! But I just got back from the guys house and the would is healing nicely. I'll take out the stitches out in two days. He was a bit loopy from the pain meds ( I think he took one too many) so I suggested a lower dosage.

 

Rouge WOW! that is a lake! I just came upon this. lol. wow! that's to much for me no thanks lol.

 

Good luck rouge keep us posted on how its doing!

O M G !!!!!! its so big it has a WHALE shark in it???!!!!! Its absolutely beautiful!!!!!!

 

@ Rogue: speaking of the original topic, may we see some pics?

 

Oh... my... absolutely amazing... fishy goodness...

I'm sad to hear it won't be in your house (come on, who doesn't want that in their house?), but glad to hear you will be paid well!

A very dramatic story (like someone else said), and hopefully the guy that got cut is feeling somewhat better now.

Really, if you don't post pics as soon as you can, I'll be forced to come see it myself. I just wish there was a way to steal a twenty four foot tank... Hmmmm *wicked grin*

Good luck!

EDIT:

What kinds of fish do you breed? I would love to dream up stocks for this thing...

 

I can't wait to see pictures!

I recently completed a first aid class, and I must say, the thought of bandaging up and the hospital ride seems fine, but the stiches are, "out of my scope"

You brave fish-tank maker!

 

hahahaha oops Sorry!

Haha that's quite alright. I've been guilty of the same thing, on multiple occasions >.

@ Rogue: speaking of the original topic, may we see some pics?

Unfortunately (stated earlier in the thread) my camera is broken and the company says it will take some time in fixing it. SO you will only get pictures of the finished product But I will do my best on giving descriptive information and will elaborate on any part of the tank building/setting up/ect if asked ;D. I'm practically kicking myself for not saving up some extra money for a new camera.

Oh... my... absolutely amazing... fishy goodness...

I'm sad to hear it won't be in your house (come on, who doesn't want that in their house?), but glad to hear you will be paid well!

A very dramatic story (like someone else said), and hopefully the guy that got cut is feeling somewhat better now.

Really, if you don't post pics as soon as you can, I'll be forced to come see it myself. I just wish there was a way to steal a twenty four foot tank... Hmmmm *wicked grin*

Good luck!

EDIT:

What kinds of fish do you breed? I would love to dream up stocks for this thing...

Haha well I will have the tank set up in my fishroom for a little over a month before I sell it. So I do get to enjoy it a bit. Yeah the guy that got hurt is feeling much better. He came back to work this morning. Hehe I practically chased him across the lawn with a big stick. His excuse was " Well if I get hurt you can fix me up again Doc." Hehe his excuse didn't fly well .

Haha please come and see it! You can help! We're one hand short you know.... and I could probably set up fishie transport for you back to your house . Want Altum Angels????? If not I'm sure we could find some fish that you would fancy keeping.... ;D hehe.

Do you mean the fish I am currently breeding (signature) or the one's that will go in this tank? Oh I'm having loads of fun thinking up stocking lists. I've already got one for when it is moved to the hotel but before when I keep it I could do all sorts of things with it. My housemate, who doesn't know much about fish, wanted to know if we could keep a betta in it ;D! I almost died laughing.

I can't wait to see pictures!

I recently completed a first aid class, and I must say, the thought of bandaging up and the hospital ride seems fine, but the stiches are, "out of my scope"

You brave fish-tank maker!

Thanks! Dealing with injuries and all is not big deal for me when it is all happening. My housemate (who was in the room while I was putting in the stitches) said I was completely calm and barely said anything. But he said when I got home I passed out on the couch. It's very stressful for me because all the possibilities of what could go wrong zip through my head while I do things like put in stitches. I'm very glad I learned how though. I've had to use it multiple times, twice on myself. Now that was scary.




EDIT: I forgot to update on the tank! Hehe. Anyway the 3rd shipment of glass arrived. It was all in order. Now we are just waiting for the replacement of the 2nd order. We are starting to build the brace for the tank. Basically it will be a box without a bottom that sits on the stand of the tank. Then we will use the crane to lower the glass in and silicone it together. This way the brace will hold all the glass together while it dries. I have to go to the doctors office tomorrow so I'll be out of working order for two days.

 

This is so exciting!

I'm glad your worker buddy is ok. I cannot wait to see photos of this.

 

You were super brave. Good job, and good luck on everything else going well.

 

Sorry to hear of the recent set backs. Glad to hear you were able to help your worker/buddy out.

Hope your last shipment arrives in perfect shape and that there are no more accidents with this oversized tank!

Do you know of any decisions regarding the inhabitants of this tank? This tank would be a blast to plan and stock!!

 

WOW! I don't know what I would even do with a tank that big!

Koi maybe, but I think I'd rather have a outdoor pond then.


Hope your worker is doing good, and all goes well.

 

Well at the moment I'm thinking Giant Gouarmis, some catfish, and two Gars.


:'( Doctor said no more work for me until the end of the week.

 

borrow a camera from a neighbour please

 

Well at the moment I'm thinking Giant Gouarmis, some catfish, and two Gars.


:'( Doctor said no more work for me until the end of the week.

You had me until the Gars part. It never occured to me that people kept them as pets. My dad took me fishing and camping every summer growing up, and I have several scary memories involving those fish. (shivers)

 

Hahaha! Not the huge Gars you usually see. I do have those though ;D! The ones I was talking about are only about a foot long and could be beat up by neon tetras! They are a pair and are scared of EVERYTHING.

 

Reeling in one of those things is terriffying, hated trying not to lose a finger getting a hook out, and all my favorite lures were stole by gars, although I don't think I ever caught one too much bigger than a foot.

 

haha well these aren't nasty. They have really tiny teeth. Their mouths aren't even as wide as a pencil.

All the glass is here! BUT to put a damper on things, the Doc says I'm not allowed to do any 'strenuous' work for the next few days or up to a week.

If only he knew what I did with my fishtanks every morning

I'd probably have to admit him to his own hospital then haha.

 

Funny to think that fishy care could get you a doctors note.

 

Sounds like you need to take care of yourself.

 

We are back to work! The doctor finally gave up he futile cause ;D. So we are now building the frame for the tank and making little adjustments to the hood and stand. I'm also putting in the electrical things into the hood and stand. The heater will be a heater pad under the tank so it heats the entire tank evenly. I'm almost done building that .


OFF TO WORK