Concrete Aquarium Questions

[hbluehunter]

Here's a good thread to check out, i've seen this tank a few times and would love to have one just like it..
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23529&highlight=2500+concrete

 

[SpmnE9zero]

Thanks for all the comments and links.

I am certain the tank itself will be a success as I can construct a leak free environment that can contain water and fish no problem. My concern is that I am just really unfamiliar with filtration systems, this is where more experience would help out greatly. The sump system to me is another animal all together. I know how to plum and understand fittings and valves and so on, but knowing what I need is the mystery to me.

Can anyone suggest a certain system that has been proven to work under these circumstances?

I have a local guy who has actually built the PPG Aquarium at the Pittsburgh Zoo. He is really well known, but I dont want charged an arm and a leg for something I feel I need to learn anyway before I have my own set up.

 

[sashimimaster]

I would suggest using google sketchup or some basic CAD program to draw it up first. You don't realize how much more refined your design and final outcome will be when you first see it in scale in 3D.

 

[spiff]

Myself and others have had great luck with a canister pond filters. The media lasts forever and its just a flip of a lever to clean them. And you'll only have to do this once or twice a year, depending on bio load.

 

[paulW]

Here are my concrete plans i am going to follow... Hope this helps, i have diagrams of the sump as well.

You might want to put some kind of screen on the overflow so the fish aren't encouraged to jump. Some fish can't resist the "waterfall" of an overflow.

 

[SpmnE9zero]

Myself and others have had great luck with a canister pond filters. The media lasts forever and its just a flip of a lever to clean them. And you'll only have to do this once or twice a year, depending on bio load.

Ok so to plumb the tank for this system would require a line for suction of polluted water and another line for clean water return?

What else will be needed?

 

[spiff]

Ok so to plumb the tank for this system would require a line for suction of polluted water and another line for clean water return?

What else will be needed?

Most don't include pumps, so you would need a pump per filter and also a drain.

So they have an input, output and a drain output for for when you flush clean them.

 

[kallmond]

A sump is not a particularly complicated system. Water flows out of the tank via gravity, and 'drains' onto some sort of filter material (filter floss, floor scrubbing pads, etc) to remove particulate. Thats your mechanical filtration. It then drips over a second compartment containing bio-balls, bio-rings, scrubbies, gravel, whatever large surface area small items you can find. This is your biological section, and thats where bacteria grows. 1 type of bacteria eats ammonia and poops nitrite. Another type of bacteria eats nitrite and poops nitrate. Lastly the water flows into a holding chamber (usually where heaters are) where a pump is. That pump moves the clean, filtered water back into your tank.

 

[spiff]

It becomes more complicated when dealing with a massive tank. I had a sump first and it was a pain. Sizing the sump with pump flow and tank volume can be a problem. Basically, if you have a giant tank, you'll need a giant sump. Or else when you turn your pumps off it will overflow.

For example, my tank was at 1600 gallons with a measly 90gallon sump with just one 2400GPH pump. (needed two pumps, but could barely get one to balance with the sump--no issue with canisters) This meant that the tank water height would be around 4 inches higher than the overflow (on my system). Well, that four inches would take 5 minutes to drain back into the sump and this volume was around 250gallons. So basically, if I lost power, my sump would seriously overflow. I had overflow safeties, but neither those or even my sink and drain would keep up with that 250gals that drained in 5min.

Yeah, if I had a 500gallon sump or so, it would have worked. If you have the space, go for it. Otherwise, expect a balancing act on volume/GPH. And you better and a huge drain to accommodate the flow in an emergency as well.

Personally, once I went with closed loop system, it was a huge breath of relief. Turn off the power and all flow stops. Period.

 

[SpmnE9zero]

This has become my favorite forum I belong to!!! Thank you guys for all the great information!!! I think I can build this myself!!! I am sure I will have some hiccups but as long as I Am able to complete it at some point I dont care.

Thanks again guys!!! Keep the great info coming!