18' x 9' x 3.5' catfish tank build in progress.....

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
CHOMPERS;2016840; said:
Here’s the rundown on the pump motor. The service factor of 1.65 means that it is constructed with more copper than a standard motor, so basically it will last forever. The bearings don’t last for ever though. It is also a continuous duty motor (says so on the tag). The listed hp rating is the peak horsepower. The brake horsepower is 1.24hp due to the service factor. This means that the motor is really capable of supplying more power than advertised, which is why it is also rated for continuous duty.

The power draw is:
1512 Watts per hour at 120V
1386 Watts at 220V

I wasn’t able to find a pump curve for that model, but using comparable models it will pump 3900-4400 gph.


The smaller pump's power draw is 480 Watts at 120V.
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I got the box and specs on the smaller one, so not really worried about that, but that's good info on the larger one. Hmmm, pretty much what I expected the smaller pump is cheaper to run and has more power. Might have to look into getting a similar pump to the smaller one in the future for my application, but will probably work with the large one for now. Thanks so much for all your help chompers. I know I ask way too many questions, but I think it will help me and everyone else learn a lil as I go.
 
Wow, that sounds awesome but I bet your electric bill will skyrocket. Mine almost doubled just with my tanks. I can't imagine that one, VERY cool project though. I can't wait to see it done.
 
Yeah I've doubled mine already too, but hoping not to go too overboard with this one. We'll see though. Will be tearing down the smaller pond after this is up and running. Should be more energy efficient than that thing. This will also be sealed unlike the pond which is open top. If I can't get the garage heated by winter I will also put styrofoam insulation on top, and on the glass.
 
No progress yesterday. Sorted some wood out in the garage yesterday to see what I could do, and my best estimate is that I can go another 2' then I'll have to go get some more 2x4s. So When I leave for work this time my tank will probably sit at 6'x9'x3.5' til I get home five days later. Might try to do some work on the filter also. My plan thus far for plumbing is going to be just like my plan for everthing on this tank so far. I want to make it all flush to the sides of the tank. Going with the pool lights as stated earlier, and going to use some floor drains, or something I make myself as side mounted drains, and returns. So other than a few floor drains, and flush pool lights there will be almost no hint of any equipment in the tank. The RUGF will be beneath the rocks, and the pipe leading in will go through the side rather than over the top of the tank. There might be a small portion of it visible right where it comes in because it will be reduced from 2" to 1" pipe that will be covering the entire bottom of the tank. Since the rugf will not be running 24/7 I will need to plumb it seperate from the filter system. I will also prefilter it in hopes that I can keep the system clog-free by doing so. These are my thoughts for today lol.

The way I see it is this is kind of my online journal for this tank build. Many things will get in my way so don't expect to see a super amount of progress right away. I will be starting a second job part time and will use %50 of that money to fund this tank build so that hopefully I can get it complete before I am out of the military on october 22.
 
Well since it appears that your not sleeping.... Get er done! :D

You said this is going into the garage right? Have you checked the depth of the cement where you are putting this as I'd hate to see you build this thing and have the floor crack under the weight of prob around 35000 pounds +.

Always a good idea to be extra safe with the footing of one of these Monster tanks :D
 
basslover34;2019727; said:
Well since it appears that your not sleeping.... Get er done! :D

You said this is going into the garage right? Have you checked the depth of the cement where you are putting this as I'd hate to see you build this thing and have the floor crack under the weight of prob around 35000 pounds +.

Always a good idea to be extra safe with the footing of one of these Monster tanks :D
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garage is 30' x 30' and has 6" cement. The total weight will be around 36000 lbs with the weight of the tank, rocks and water. The filter will add another 2400-3000 lbs. The weight per square foot is around 290 lbs. Sound good? It's spread out over a massive area with not too much depth.

L A R R Y;2020127; said:
Ohhh my Malmstrom AFB Montana???? I feel your pain :nilly:

Project looks nice.......now post up more pics :)
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Lol, there's not much to show except the tank getting longer. Might put the first piece of ply underneath. The ply underneath is .5". I'm going to add it as I go so that I don't have to flip the tank when it's huge. Going to be bringing in a floor jack soon to make it easier to work on. Oh, and yeah MAFB Montana. I like montana, but hate the base. Can't wait to get out in october. I'll work on some pics and the tank. Just got back from training, been there since 6 a.m.
 
I'll see if I can't post some more pics of the progress in the morning before I post out. I have to go clean my tanks and get ready for work. Not too much progress this break, but hopefully next break I can get a lot more done!
 
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