How would you go about it?

[Finagain]

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.

Thanks. This is something I may never get around to but it might be feasible in several years when I intend to move to some acreage. It would definitely be in a dedicated building probably with a greenhouse next to it for a plant based large refugium. I'd love to make it 3 4X8 2 inch plexiglass sheets long. A single panel would be great but I could live with 3 panels if cost or logistics made it impossible for me. I would be looking for a property with water generated electricity possible to keep maintenance costs as low as possible. I don't know yet. I might get side tracked and be happy with multiple 500 gallon tanks.

I don't even know what I would like to watch in a tank that size. I love big cichlids but a multi species tank full of them would probably a real PITA to get happily stocked. Maybe just large shoals of altums and rotkiels with a thousand or so neons. Anybody that reads this far into the thread what would you keep in a tank like this?

 

[Gates72ss]

a few panes separated by concrete would most certainly be easier to obtain for viewing purposes .. reinforced concrete is pretty strong stuff , you could have a custom liner made as well as a back up option because i have seen sub par concrete fail over time and this liner would keep the water from directly touching the concrete ... just a couple 2 cents