9x4x4 concrete pond with window

[stumac]

After racking through the posts i cant seem to find one similar to what i want (appologies if i missed the obvious)

I am thinking of building an indoor tropical pond 103"x48"x48" (internal size)from the existing 12" concrete floor in the garage, either 5 or 6' high depending on whether i need to add another base(to raise water level from floor)

i was planning to build a single concrete block surround or cavity block if required but wondred if i would be able to use existing garage wall or will this draw dampness into the garage and cause insulation probs( is single concrete block solid enough?)

the acrylic i was looking at for the front viewing panel is cell cast acrylic about 20mm thick which i think would be more than ample as it is stronger than glass and i believe 1/2" plate glass would be suitable.

i m going to render the inside but am also considering fiberglassing the inside to get a good water tight seal but realise this would affect the acrylic so it would need to go in last

any suggestions pls

 

[Benjine]

hi stumac,

great idea mate, i'd like to do something similar myself oneday.

I'd avoid putting it against an existing wall (concrete i presume) just to be safe, you could leave a gap between the block wall of the pond and the wall and hide your pipes or filter gear down there.

you might want to talk to an engineer about how to reinforce the block walls - 5-6' is a lot of pressure! It would also be a pretty sweet pond!

What are you thinking of keeping in it?

 

[stumac]

rays predominantly but large cichlids too, would rather have the single wall , gap all round for insulation etc

 

[King Edward]

There are several people in the DIY section who have built this style of pool, John's is prob the biggest!

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74523

here a slightly more modest one...

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47243

There are quite a few there...I dont know where you are in scotland, or how much you can get your acrylic for, but i was looking for acrylic and ended up getting glass from boss aquariums in falkirk. They wanted £50 for 1m by 1m 10mm thick glass, which is the best I have found so far...