Intresting 20,350 gallon tank idea.

[Wolf3101]

I'm still looking into this so feel free to add your own thaughts...

The concept...
An affordable simi-perminate monster tank in either 10,175 gallon (20 foot)
or 20,350 gallon (40 foot) versions.

The plan...
Using standard 20 and 40 foot steel shipping containers as the basis for the monster tanks. (interiors to be waterproofed and acryllic windows added along with access ports on the roof)

Rough cost...
Around 2500.00 for the container...another 500.00 in waterproofing and plumbing.

The containers (Most of this research is from my plans to use the containers to build an underground home out of.) are easilly strong enough to hold that much water indefinatly once the cargo doors are welded shut. They are also readilly available in almost every area.

Other advantages...
Although expencive...these containers are designed to be transportable either by rail or semi. and equipment exists designed to lift and move them into place so even if you do eventually move you don't have to leave your monster tank behind. The last 5000 gallon acryllic tank I looked at was about $250,000. this is 4 times larger for a fraction of the cost.

If you built 2 40 footers and a single 20 you could arange them in a U shape behind your house and then roof them over.

 

[Dread]

How would it be filtered? I hear the biggest costs for these 5,000+ gallon tanks are Filtering.

 

[Wolf3101]

Modified pool filters work quite well...pleated cannister then sand filter then a bio-collum... all in all about another grand or so. I've built filters for ponds larger than that.

 

[milkman407]

get like 10 huge bulkheads at the top, drain them down into each pvc bio tower ( biggest pvc pipes you can get ) have them all drain into one line, connect it to the filter, filter pushes water back in. filtering would be the easiest thing to do, so many cheap good ways.

 

[skylar69]

that would wourk but ud need like 3" to 4" thick acrylic

 

[skylar69]

by the way how much would that cheap filter style cost for an 8000 gallon tank milkman?

 

[Wolf3101]

Actully I doubt you'd need acryllic that thick at all. For one thing theres no reason to make the entire side of the container a window. You could stick with 36" or 40" tall pieces in conveniant lengths. Mount them at a comfortable viewing level.

 

[ddyerfamily]

you have to have major $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[milkman407]

no clue, I dont know how big pvc pipes get. but theres alot more ways to do it than that.

 

[dmopar74]

what would you waterproof them with? its steel, fish cant swim around in a steel container$$$$$$$$$$