I know pretty much how to build the aquarium, but I've got a few questions to acertain my judgement and grab some pointers on the subject. It would be an in-wall tank, with the equipment hidden in the stand, and the opposite side of the wall it's built into would be disguised as cabinets or something. It's just a dream thing; might happen, might well not. Well, here goes with my questions:
What kind of filtration would this monster tank need? I really don't think a couple of hang-on filters are going to cut it. I've never dealt with a tank that large, so I have no idea what kind of filtration it would need.
Would glass or acrylic be better for the transparent side? I know the pros and cons of each in turn, but I don't know what is better suited to this particular project, or how thick to get it, whatever the material.
How should the stand be designed? I want it at least partly hollow to store the tank equipment in, but I want it to be well able to support the aquarium's huge weight. What material would be best to build it from?
Now, my last question: How would I go about making a lighting system for it? I'm sure that it would be simple enough, and actually I just got some ideas popping into my head as I type this.... Oh, and it's going to be housing a silver arowana, so the lid will have to be really tight. I'm pretty sure I can think of a solution to that, though. In fact... More lightbulbs coming on upstairs.
The next few paragraphs here are just side notes... not really important to read. Just me thinking with my fingers.
***
This beast will most definitely have to go on a really solid floor. Concrete would be best, eh? After all, it'll weigh a good two and a half tons including water, and considerably more with the substrate and decorations in place. How much could a simple wooden floor take? Not that much, I'd wager. So, definitely ground level, with a really, really solid floor underneath.
Probably the best thing about making a plywood tank is that I can do most of the construction myself, except for laying the glass and putting the tank onto the stand when they're both done.
What kind of filtration would this monster tank need? I really don't think a couple of hang-on filters are going to cut it. I've never dealt with a tank that large, so I have no idea what kind of filtration it would need.
Would glass or acrylic be better for the transparent side? I know the pros and cons of each in turn, but I don't know what is better suited to this particular project, or how thick to get it, whatever the material.
How should the stand be designed? I want it at least partly hollow to store the tank equipment in, but I want it to be well able to support the aquarium's huge weight. What material would be best to build it from?
Now, my last question: How would I go about making a lighting system for it? I'm sure that it would be simple enough, and actually I just got some ideas popping into my head as I type this.... Oh, and it's going to be housing a silver arowana, so the lid will have to be really tight. I'm pretty sure I can think of a solution to that, though. In fact... More lightbulbs coming on upstairs.
The next few paragraphs here are just side notes... not really important to read. Just me thinking with my fingers.
***
This beast will most definitely have to go on a really solid floor. Concrete would be best, eh? After all, it'll weigh a good two and a half tons including water, and considerably more with the substrate and decorations in place. How much could a simple wooden floor take? Not that much, I'd wager. So, definitely ground level, with a really, really solid floor underneath.
Probably the best thing about making a plywood tank is that I can do most of the construction myself, except for laying the glass and putting the tank onto the stand when they're both done.
