I've been researching as much as I can for the last year or so on giant concrete aquariums. I've met with several concrete guys and so on and so forth. The thing I keep getting hung up on, is where the heck do you find giant size equipment? As for as the containers for the sumps, that's a non issue, but where the heck do you find the giant skimmers, chillers, reactors etc. I am planning to be around 2200g in the display tank. Any insight is appreciated!
Giant aquarium equipment
- Thread starter Aquajunkie
- Start date
Contact your local public aquarium, they should be able to point you in the right direction
Most commercial sized equipment is custom built on-sight during the construction phase. Huge protein skimmers and very large pumps usually are industrial standard or special ordered.
Many of the items you wish to buy are easily built diy as long as you can source the materials..like big pumps and large reaction chambers. The big reaction chambers, lets use fluidized sand bed, are basically the same in large form compared to their commercially available smaller cousins. The large diameter clear acrylic is very expensive but building your own would still be a fraction of the cost to have it custom made or bought outright. UV sterilizers are a good example of this. Many times a couple large UV sterilizers will be way cheaper than one big industrial unit....a little creative plumbing is all that is needed.
Many of the items you wish to buy are easily built diy as long as you can source the materials..like big pumps and large reaction chambers. The big reaction chambers, lets use fluidized sand bed, are basically the same in large form compared to their commercially available smaller cousins. The large diameter clear acrylic is very expensive but building your own would still be a fraction of the cost to have it custom made or bought outright. UV sterilizers are a good example of this. Many times a couple large UV sterilizers will be way cheaper than one big industrial unit....a little creative plumbing is all that is needed.
[QUOTE"jwh, post: 7365451, member: 125658"]Contact your local public aquarium, they should be able to point you in the right direction[/QUOTE]
And don't forget the local zoo and water park. Their water feature filtration needs are just as complex as an aquarium.
Many companies offer industrial grade options but just don't advertise do to the niche market and lower demand. I have seen Lifegard fluidized sand beds at several water features I have worked at...LA Zoo, LongBeach Aquarium and Ranging Waters(all SoCal locations)..but these filters were 6' tall and 8" in diameter.
And don't forget the local zoo and water park. Their water feature filtration needs are just as complex as an aquarium.
Many companies offer industrial grade options but just don't advertise do to the niche market and lower demand. I have seen Lifegard fluidized sand beds at several water features I have worked at...LA Zoo, LongBeach Aquarium and Ranging Waters(all SoCal locations)..but these filters were 6' tall and 8" in diameter.
Thank you guys for the ideas! I've now been hung up on 3 times calling my local aquarium, The Georgia Aquarium. Any one know of an aquarium where the people who answer the phone don't hate your guts? LOL
Aquatic ecosystems.. there is not much that they don't carry or can do and are the retailers for a lot of those larger aquariums.
The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. It's a better aquarium and much more diverse. If you haven't been, it's only 100 miles north of downtown Atlanta.