how much does a giant tank cost?

[neko1]

Hello guys, im 17 and I have wanted a giant tank for a long long time.
I dont got the cash / space right now so this is just a theoretical question not a real project (atleast for now).
I really wane keep arowana's / rays / gars / bichirs and some soribum catfish. So that needs to be at least 6000liters. A tank around 3metersx3meters. So the cheapest way would be to make a pond / swimming pool probably. But what does filtration / light and so on cost monthly to run such a tank?
Thanks for answering in advance

Im bassicly just interested in the cost of a big tank. I except the tank to be at least 4000 euro's. Then the filtration maybe another 1000. But how do you heat such a tank? and what about light?

 

[fishhead0103666]

Ok well first off it’s nice to see another 17 year old that’s into fish.
Second, I truly don’t think that a 3 meter width is needed for any of those fish.
Third, you can actually get giant “tanks” made and sometimes even shipped to you depending on where you live. Talk to thebiggerthebetter about his 4,500 gallon tanks.
Fourth, I would also talk to A arapaimag since he built a 15,000 gallon and a 50,000 gallon tank himself.
Fifth, I would go to the diy section of this site and take a few days or even weeks to go and look through the threads. There have been a respectable number of threads showing people building huge tanks.
Sixth, I’m overjoyed that someone my age is into it but just remember to take your time in this hobby. You have your entire life ahead of you to keep fish.

 

[fishhead0103666]

I remembered reading this a few years ago and thought you might benefit from reading it. This "was" the largest tank in the uk until the electricity costs forced the owner to shut it down.

https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/news2014/uks-biggest-private-freshwater-tank-is-closing-down

It's a rather good read and I recommend everybody who is interested in large (for mfk standards) tanks to read it.

 

[TheReefer]

Yeah, I don't think you need that big of a tank. you can find large tanks on ebay or craigslist for cheap. Now if you want one brand new from a store, it depends, it'll usually cost anywhere from $200 to $800. If you want a tank THAT big though, you'll have to make them on your own. Until you get a house of your own and are stable I'd say get a 40 breeder (you can get them for around $150) and get a senegal bichir

 

[LBDave]

Hello guys, im 17 and I have wanted a giant tank for a long long time.
I dont got the cash / space right now so this is just a theoretical question not a real project (atleast for now).
I really wane keep arowana's / rays / gars / bichirs and some soribum catfish. So that needs to be at least 6000liters. A tank around 3metersx3meters. So the cheapest way would be to make a pond / swimming pool probably. But what does filtration / light and so on cost monthly to run such a tank?
Thanks for answering in advance

Im bassicly just interested in the cost of a big tank. I except the tank to be at least 4000 euro's. Then the filtration maybe another 1000. But how do you heat such a tank? and what about light?

You have great ambition. Are you currently keeping any fish?

 

[fishhead0103666]

If he’s serious about it and has the space/time/resources to do it then going off of the 40 breeder idea (I’d bump it up to 75 gallons but that’s just me) then he could get set up a 40 gallon sump underneath so he can get experience with them. If I was staying where I am for the next 3+ years then I would have made a sump.

 

[pacu mom]

6,000 liters is roughly 1600 gallons. If you want a new acrylic tank, it will cost you more than an economical small car. Your costs will go up exponentially if the tank is taller than the standard 24" - 30" tall tanks. A new acrylic tank 13' x 4' x 4' will probably cost $30,000+

 

[fishhead0103666]

^ Also someone you might consider talking to or at least reading her posts about her pacu.

 

[LBDave]

6,000 liters is roughly 1600 gallons. If you want a new acrylic tank, it will cost you more than an economical small car. Your costs will go up exponentially if the tank is taller than the standard 24" - 30" tall tanks. A new acrylic tank 13' x 4' x 4' will probably cost $30,000+

My thoughts exactly. That's a huge tank.

 

[TexasMFK31]

6,000 liters is roughly 1600 gallons. If you want a new acrylic tank, it will cost you more than an economical small car. Your costs will go up exponentially if the tank is taller than the standard 24" - 30" tall tanks. A new acrylic tank 13' x 4' x 4' will probably cost $30,000+

The cheapest quote I got for a custom acrylic tank, 1" thick with 96"x65"x32" was $8,000USD Shipped. That doesn't cover a stand ($1,500 for metal), filtration ~$1500 for an Ultima II, substrate/decor/background. Just the physical tank itself is $10,000. Then you've got to stock the tank and if you like nice fish, they cost money.......I did math last night on the value of fish in my tanks and I gasped. Running big tanks, and owning fish that get large is not a cheap endeavor. Obviously you can get it cheaper, but that was cheapest brand new out of the box for me to get. Long story short, I'm going to do another plywood build (which is half the fun anyhow).