There are really good DIY threads on building with plywood, glass, and acrylic. Further, I understand many public aquariums use epoxy-coated plywood tanks with glass fronts for budgetary reasons (rather than all-acrylic). And, most of us have seen the large acrylic display windows (supported on three or four sides) for the really big displays, or for sides of tanks used by marine mammals (which by definition require big tanks).
However, I can't find much related to construction of large permanent tanks with gunite/shotcrete/concrete, including engineered footings/foundations, rebar support, insulation, placement of filtration systems, etc.
I know not everybody wants such a "permanant" tank, but it seems there are enough things different from standard (non-aquaria) pool construction, or pond construction, to warrant some threads. For example, most of those pool/pond instructions don't talk about the large "viewing pane" that we typically have for our tanks. They don't talk about the welded steel framework holding back the panes, and how they are mounted. (Embedded before the concrete is poured? Or mounted in an indentation after the concrete is poured? Sealed how? Are the public aquariums using stainless steel tubing frames for their marine tanks?)
Of course, I *have* pieced together from the MANY threads in MFK things like how much of what kind of silicone to use, and for very large tanks, to ensure I insert little rubber washers every 4" inside the silicone seal to ensure the weight of the water over time doesn't force all the silicone out of the void between the pane and the tank frame. (Nice tip! I want more of that!)
For example, I've recently been fortunate enough to have the space to make plans to construct the following tank:
How big? Big.
Tropical would work great, but I'm intending marine/cold (e.g., South Austrailian coast)
HOWEVER, this still leaves a very long list of problems unique to the much larger tanks (some issues alluded in these forums), and some problems the same as for every tank, but which may manifest on a different scale.
For example, I'm still working on things like:
I'm sure there are many more topics, and many more orthogonal considerations, but this should give you the idea for some of the facilities planning and "scaled concerns" that I'm assuming (that I *know*) are more important with the larger tanks.
IMHO, it would be great if we had a centralized organization of these comprehensive issues/topics.
I *LOVE* MFK, and *LOVE* the threads, and am *AMAZED* at how hard so many people work to create some of the awesome displays they have. However, for questions like many of the ones I've listed, I'm only getting a bunch of impressions, and a few anecdotal tips on "things others have done". I read *A* *LOT*, and take copious notes. But, I'm still not finding what I want.
Can you point me someplace to learn about facilities planning for large aquarium exhibits, or should I just pull it together myself and post my notes?
By default, that's where I'm headed, although I'd rather use what someone else did if that already exists. I've not built public aquarium exhibits, but I'm sure there must be people here that have, and who MUST have addressed questions like these ...
Help?
--charley
However, I can't find much related to construction of large permanent tanks with gunite/shotcrete/concrete, including engineered footings/foundations, rebar support, insulation, placement of filtration systems, etc.
I know not everybody wants such a "permanant" tank, but it seems there are enough things different from standard (non-aquaria) pool construction, or pond construction, to warrant some threads. For example, most of those pool/pond instructions don't talk about the large "viewing pane" that we typically have for our tanks. They don't talk about the welded steel framework holding back the panes, and how they are mounted. (Embedded before the concrete is poured? Or mounted in an indentation after the concrete is poured? Sealed how? Are the public aquariums using stainless steel tubing frames for their marine tanks?)
Of course, I *have* pieced together from the MANY threads in MFK things like how much of what kind of silicone to use, and for very large tanks, to ensure I insert little rubber washers every 4" inside the silicone seal to ensure the weight of the water over time doesn't force all the silicone out of the void between the pane and the tank frame. (Nice tip! I want more of that!)
For example, I've recently been fortunate enough to have the space to make plans to construct the following tank:
(1) Build box with insulated concrete forms (ICF's), which are stay-in-place foam "forms" (like legos) that you fill with concrete (resulting in a concrete wall, with foam on each side).
(2) Line box bottom and walls with geothermal ground loops for temperature control (we'll cycle hot or cold water through here to heat or chill the tank)
(3) Line box (inside of heating/cooling loops) with rubber or PVC sheeting
(4) Set up plastic/rebar/stainless framework inside liner
(5) Shotcrete/gunite the inside of the liner, embedding the framework
This should result in a large, very strong tank that won't leak, has long life, and has VERY controlled temperature.(2) Line box bottom and walls with geothermal ground loops for temperature control (we'll cycle hot or cold water through here to heat or chill the tank)
(3) Line box (inside of heating/cooling loops) with rubber or PVC sheeting
(4) Set up plastic/rebar/stainless framework inside liner
(5) Shotcrete/gunite the inside of the liner, embedding the framework
How big? Big.
Tropical would work great, but I'm intending marine/cold (e.g., South Austrailian coast)
HOWEVER, this still leaves a very long list of problems unique to the much larger tanks (some issues alluded in these forums), and some problems the same as for every tank, but which may manifest on a different scale.
For example, I'm still working on things like:
- good entry/exit access to the tank (e.g., climb in/out, including shelf areas on which to place equipment, or tools accessed while in the tank). This can be quite significant, as you may need to consider simultaneous access by more than one person, both when the tank is full and empty.
- staging areas for persons/equipment
- storage for equipment near where used
- plumbing (heating/cooling, adding, draining - all separate systems, possibly wanting more than one of each system)
- power supply and distribution
- light (including maintenance access)
- showers (hey, you just climbed out of saltwater)
- setbacks (so guests/children don't scratch up the acrylic or break the tank; as it turns out, a plate glass tank next to the breakfast area will eventually catch a glass plate -- who could have known? ;-)
- contingency for tank overflows or breakage (where the water goes, what do you do with the livestock)
- circulation plans
- power outtage contingencies
- emergency access contingencies (e.g., emergency "tank dump")
- etc.
I'm sure there are many more topics, and many more orthogonal considerations, but this should give you the idea for some of the facilities planning and "scaled concerns" that I'm assuming (that I *know*) are more important with the larger tanks.
IMHO, it would be great if we had a centralized organization of these comprehensive issues/topics.
I *LOVE* MFK, and *LOVE* the threads, and am *AMAZED* at how hard so many people work to create some of the awesome displays they have. However, for questions like many of the ones I've listed, I'm only getting a bunch of impressions, and a few anecdotal tips on "things others have done". I read *A* *LOT*, and take copious notes. But, I'm still not finding what I want.
Can you point me someplace to learn about facilities planning for large aquarium exhibits, or should I just pull it together myself and post my notes?
By default, that's where I'm headed, although I'd rather use what someone else did if that already exists. I've not built public aquarium exhibits, but I'm sure there must be people here that have, and who MUST have addressed questions like these ...
Help?
--charley
.