Choices To Make...

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stickbow95

Feeder Fish
Jan 19, 2013
4
0
0
Eagle River, WI
I'm planning a large aquarium build. I won't be starting the actual build for about a year so I want to have all of the major planning done before hand.

I have a location in my basement where the tank will be built. The space is 10' long along an interior wall. I could put viewing windows on three sides. A sump will be in the room directly behind the tank. I am planning on the outer dimensions of the tank to be 10' x 5'. Height is flexible as I have floor to ceiling (just under 8'). At first I was thinking 36" tall. However, I am beginning to contemplate going taller. I am thinking 60" tall at the moment.

My current plan is to stock it with local native species initially, although I am not decided as of yet. I am leaning toward Northern Pike as they are next to impossible to keep off the hook around here any time of the year. :D However, I would like to have good activity as it would keep my kids more entertained.

Which direction should I go? I would love some input from everyone.
 
Natives would be cool man, but i wuld go with some more peaceful native stock so you can have different types of fish and more activity for you kids. I like the idea of a native tank, but other cool species for a 10x5 tank could be aros, pbass, rays, large cichlids, i like the idea of a large cichlidcommunity, will have activity for kids too. Hope this helps


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Skittle said:
Natives would be cool man, but i wuld go with some more peaceful native stock so you can have different types of fish and more activity for you kids. I like the idea of a native tank, but other cool species for a 10x5 tank could be aros, pbass, rays, large cichlids, i like the idea of a large cichlidcommunity, will have activity for kids too. Hope this helps


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Click to expand...
+1
 
stickbow95 said:
Snip: I am planning on the outer dimensions of the tank to be 10' x 5'. Height is flexible as I have floor to ceiling (just under 8'). I am thinking 60" tall at the moment.
Click to expand...

10' Long x 5' Wide

I've looked at several of the plywood builds since the OP. I like the idea of setting the bottom of the tank just off the floor.
It would allow me to go almost 6' tall and still have plenty of room above for lighting, access etc.
 
Honestly if you have the money, my favorite fish have always been rays and peacock bass, you need awesome filtration though. Natives can be dirt cheap, but I find that the more awesome types will cost you an arm and a leg because of their rarity! With a footprint like yours, the sky is the limit :D Put up pictures when completed.
 
I'm in the process of doing something like this right now. I've found that going above 36" tall is where you get into logistics problems and the whole ballgame changes. It gets much more expensive and much more complicated. I'm doing a 12'x3'x3' with 1" thick glass, building it into the wall, basically i'm moving the wall forward 5'. Gives ample room for a sump, plumbing, water change plans, etc. I think when you start looking into the support you have to do to go over 36" tall you may reconsider. Either way, good luck.
 
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