approx FW monster tank cost

[Derf]

Okay, so if this happens, no arapaima. My idea for the tank stocking is an agressive tank, so catfish, especially RTC's and tiger shovelnoses, also clown knives, aro's, maybe some ray's, and also 1 or 2 ornate bichirs, as my LFS get's them sometimes. Why I thought about the arapaima was from John's tank, as he has one in his 5000. I'm not sure if that would hold it for life, or if it will only be temporary. And for legendaryfrog, I would not consider myself spoiled, and I have realized I'm definatly not the most experienced person when it comes to FW fish keeping, but I do know a good amount and I'm willing to spend a LOT of time maintaning this tank.

 

[johnptc]

Okay, so if this happens, no arapaima. My idea for the tank stocking is an aggressive tank, so catfish, especially RTC's and tiger shovelnoses, also clown knives, aro's, maybe some ray's, and also 1 or 2 ornate bichirs, as my LFS gets them sometimes. Why I thought about the arapaima was from John's tank, as he has one in his 5000. I'm not sure if that would hold it for life, or if it will only be temporary. And for legendaryfrog, I would not consider myself spoiled, and I have realized I'm definitely not the most experienced person when it comes to FW fish keeping, but I do know a good amount and I'm willing to spend a LOT of time maintaining this tank.

sam the pima started in the 2400 at about 14 inches..... growing 2 inches a month he reached 50 inches in no time...i then built the 5000 and he is now 60 inches....still growing.the plan is to dismantle ) ) the 2400 and convert the 5000 to 10000 which will hold sam for a number of years as it will be about 12 feet front to back and 26 feet long.....

if he grows to over nine feet this to will be too tight and I will have to make a pond or call zoodiver

good luck with your monster tank....probaly best to avoid the pima's until you have your own place to live....

ps a full grown RTC might ( will) eat the rest of the fish on your stock list

 

[Derf]

Okay, definatly no paima. I've heard that they won't get much more than 6 feet in an aquarium, but I guess that's not true. My next big question is filtration. Will several filters for large tanks or ponds work or is there somewhere I can buy a filter for a monster tank?

 

[me_wee_todded]

Is plywood and acrylic cheaper by any chance? My dad doesn't want it to cost much, even though he usually buys the most expensive things he's never going to use And for CHOMPERS's response, the first part might work, but not the part about second jobs. Both of them are doctors, so it'd be pretty hard for them to get a second job considering they aren't home that often. And if I do get this, anyone know a good place online or near Chicago to buy monster fish like an arapaima?

oh see your parents are both doctors.
dude doctors rake in the dough.
cost should be no problem

 

[Derf]

me_wee_todded, I know about the fact of money, and it is quite useful. One fact I'm trying to use to convince them is the fact I already have a 45 gallon SW reef tank, and that's probably costed well more than what the monster tank would cost. Can anyone think of some good way to use this fact beyond the way I stated?

 

[portabuddy]

ok well to me it looks like you might pull it off, a SW reef is far more costly then any monster tank... your current stocking plans sound good. you realy cant buy a bilter big enough to filter one this big. a big sump setup would be best i think... and for the walls your choices are...

A plywood tank with lots of 2X4 supports lined lined with fibergladd and resin.
A plywood tank with lots of 2X4 supports again but lined with a ruberixes coating like sanitred or blue max.
A plywood tank with lots of 2X4 supports lined in thin acrylic sheats bonded togather.
A Concreet tank with lots or rebar suports (and 3/4" rock fill for strength) linded in rubberized brushable liners or a pond liner.
A cinderblock construction treated the same way...


Then there is the viewing area...

You can go with glass, its strong, but expensive, you can go float or tempered. float glass is made on a tin bath so its perfectly smooth, tmpered glass can be more expensive but its stronger and you can use a thiner piece of glass. (you will want 3-4"-1" thick for a tank this big)

Or acrylic, its cheaper then glass, it scratches a bit easyer, but thats realy no big deal. its crystal clear and wont darken like glass might, its also just as strong as the glass but you might want a minimum of 1"-1.5" on a tank this big...


those are your choices and i realy cant tell you which is better or cheaper, they are all equaly good if done properly. Experiance is what you get when you screw up so you cant know anything if you dont try... i wish you luck and i think that you have a good chance... also you will have to do all the work yourself, dont bother calling contractors, they wont know what your talking about and they will screw it up on you and take your money...



looking forward to see who this is going to turn out, and ignore the nay-sayers and people putting you down.

 

[Derf]

One thing I heard about is lava rock filtration. What is this, and how well does it work?

 

[johnptc]

Okay, definatly no paima. I've heard that they won't get much more than 6 feet in an aquarium, but I guess that's not true. My next big question is filtration. Will several filters for large tanks or ponds work or is there somewhere I can buy a filter for a monster tank?

big tanks are easy to filter:

mechanical :
big pump running thru a cartridge type pool filter... see hayward pool filters

bio: empty the pool filter into 55 gallon drum(s) of bio balls or scrubbies

chemical: you can put charcoal in a canister before the bio filter.

 

[Derf]

Next, lighting. I know I'll need the tank dimensions, but what is the best thing to do for lighting a monster tank? And, water flow is another thing. It shouldn't be hard though, getting a big pump is all.

 

[johnptc]

Next, lighting. I know I'll need the tank dimensions, but what is the best thing to do for lighting a monster tank? And, water flow is another thing. It shouldn't be hard though, getting a big pump is all.

see www.marinedepot.com for ideas on flourescents......

flow in tank can be best control by a separate pump(s)