How would you go about it?

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Finagain

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 4, 2016
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If you wanted to build a multi thousand gallon tank 4 feet deep, 6-8 feet front to back, and 20-24 feet long, how would you go about it? I would want a single viewing panel so that would need to be plexi. Could you get multiple sheets of plexiglass welded together end to end? Is there any way that could be done DIY? What would be the best material for the rest of the tank? Re-enforced concrete? For the sake of this thread, let's assume that things like humidity and maintenance cost have been dealt with. Only issue is material construction of such a tank.

Thanks!
 
can certainly be done... absolutely NOT DIY however.. at least not the welding of the acrylic.

but yeah, concrete with regard and steel braces across the top and then the acrylic sheets. All said and done your looking at LEAST 50K though.
 
I would dig a hole in the yard for added depth,then build a brick/concrete wall for the main frame(or 4 frames because I would separate the tanks/ponds into multiple parts for different fish), I would then add the finishing touches to the insides ,build a greenhouse with tropical plants and critters such as geckos and frogs. I would also add a couple separate ponds for raising forage species.
 
definately nails. you want to steer clear of screws, they loosen over time. for the absolutely best bond I would join all the wood with super glue. it's expensive, but that is that the pros use on all their big wood and concrete builds.
 
I'd just have someone build an in ground swimming pool, with an offside room with a viewing panel (kind of like the sub rooms they build at zoos next to penguin or polar bear enclosures).
You are probably going to be spending significant amount of time every day in scuba gear cleaning the window anyway, that might take up your fish viewing window of opportunity right there.
 
Finagain said:
If you wanted to build a multi thousand gallon tank 4 feet deep, 6-8 feet front to back, and 20-24 feet long, how would you go about it?
Click to expand...

1) build a concrete slab near the house (obviously this implies a large lot with no zoning restrictions on adding a concrete slab.)

2) build a steel building on top of the slab, preferably using one from a pre-fabricated suppliers. This would need to be modified (insulated) depending on the climate and local zoning requirements. E.g., you might have to install faux shingles and wood siding to make it look suitable for the neighborhood if you didn't live in a rural area with a large lot.

3) add electric, water (and hvac as needed.)

4) have someone construct a reinforced concrete tank / pool on the slab. Based on the above, this would be an above ground container. I believe a single uninterrupted viewing panel is not needed (despite the fact that it's not what I always thought.) Multiple 4x2 or 4x3 panels separated by concrete or steel fittings should be fine. This avoids expensive transportation issues (special trucks, fork lifts, cranes, etc.) or the need to bring technicians to fabricate or weld in situ.

This is how I have pondered this issue over the years. I do not regard it as a good long term choice (financially speaking) to install a 6,000 gallon heated container of water in my home. This is due to numerous reasons which would (imo) be comparatively minor if the tank were in a separate building.
 
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