Hi, I am a new member that joined today. I am seeking advice on a large tank I will be building in my house. I am a 20 plus year fish keeper and breeder. I just sold my house a couple weeks ago and have my new one well under way. I do not have any tanks right now (I know it is killing me) I had a fish room in the basement of my home I just sold with an assortment of tank sizes and fish, freshwater to marine. I will be going to just one tank that will be at the end of a large great room in my basement. The tank will be enclosed into the wall, open to a moisture proof room, or large walk in closet with all the necessary "stuff" for the tank, equipment, chemicals, sink, water supply, etc. The tank will be around 10' long, 6' tall and about 4' wide. There will be two windows probably 4' by 5' tall seperated by framing and trim. Money is not an issue. This is my last tank in my last house. I have tried to talk to employees at Bass Pro and they will not discuss tanks with me. I need help from You good members with filtration and decor. I plan on spending how ever much money is necessary to make the tank look as real as possible. I would like to see as many pictures as possible of native tanks, as this tank will native fish. I plan on deciding thje filtration prior to construction for plumbing purposes. Thanks! Your fish loving friend.
New Memeber seeking photos and advice
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There was a project that was VERY similar to this, got a lot of pages. I am sure that will be a lot of help as his set up sounds almost identical to what you have planned...in a sec I will find a link for you.
I am going to try to make it a snapshot of local waters; Large and Small Mouth Bass, All varities of Sunfish, Gar, Catfish - Flat head, Bull head and Channel, Crappie and tons of minnows. My intent is to let the minnows serve as food and refresh as they dissappear. (I can get them really cheap and they are about 5 minutes from my house) Suppliment with dry food as necessary.
I am wanting to decorate the tank with rock, driftwood, and maybe a simulated wood dock, as it would appear if you were diving and swam up to it. I was thinking about a rock ledge located near the back toward the top to root live plants. The lighting will be installed after the decorating is finished to best enhance the tank and to also supply the correct lighting for the plants.
Filtration is the tough one. I would like to know if a swimming pool filter will work with the discharge flowing through a UV filter. I am planning on pumping the water outside the basement to the filter sitting outside in a "doghouse" to keep noise levels down. Figuring out where to pull water from and return it to to prevent dead spots and obtain good filtration is also tough.
The inside of the closet will be completely enclosed (even sealed) and moisture proof, with a vent line pulling the air from the closet to the doghouse with the fan located in the doghouse again to reduce noise. I do not want the moisture to go up into the floor joist above the tank. I am planning on the heat generated in the doghouse by the pump motor and the air exhausted into it to keep it from freezing. It really does not get that cold here (Mid 20's average, some colder).
All plumbing to fill and drain the tank will be hard piped to the tank with additional sink and work table in the closet.
I am wanting to decorate the tank with rock, driftwood, and maybe a simulated wood dock, as it would appear if you were diving and swam up to it. I was thinking about a rock ledge located near the back toward the top to root live plants. The lighting will be installed after the decorating is finished to best enhance the tank and to also supply the correct lighting for the plants.
Filtration is the tough one. I would like to know if a swimming pool filter will work with the discharge flowing through a UV filter. I am planning on pumping the water outside the basement to the filter sitting outside in a "doghouse" to keep noise levels down. Figuring out where to pull water from and return it to to prevent dead spots and obtain good filtration is also tough.
The inside of the closet will be completely enclosed (even sealed) and moisture proof, with a vent line pulling the air from the closet to the doghouse with the fan located in the doghouse again to reduce noise. I do not want the moisture to go up into the floor joist above the tank. I am planning on the heat generated in the doghouse by the pump motor and the air exhausted into it to keep it from freezing. It really does not get that cold here (Mid 20's average, some colder).
All plumbing to fill and drain the tank will be hard piped to the tank with additional sink and work table in the closet.
personally i wouldn't go with channel cats but it sounds like it is going to be a great setup... eagerly awaiting pics
I think this is the thread he was talking about, thou its in another forum. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=103294
cmj15;1120650; said:
Me neither, they might start snacking on sunfish and other larger fish when they're full grown. I wouldn't do more than one largemouth either, because once they hit a certain size they don't seem to tolerate each other well. I've seen some huge ones snorkelling and fishing and they always look beat up even with such a large volume of water to coexist with each other.
Other than that, sounds good. I'd go with some rock bass too, they add another interesting component to a native aquarium.
Ok, No channel cat.
I talked to a swimming pool supplier yesterday and they looked at me like I had lost my mind when I mentioned a swimming pool filter for an aquarium. Then they realized I was a potential customer and they re-assured me that it would work great even though they had never heard of anyone using a filter this way.
I will be glad to supply pictures as soon as I get started, please keep in mind that this tank will be in a house that is getting the concrete forms pulled off the basement walls today.
I talked to a swimming pool supplier yesterday and they looked at me like I had lost my mind when I mentioned a swimming pool filter for an aquarium. Then they realized I was a potential customer and they re-assured me that it would work great even though they had never heard of anyone using a filter this way.
I will be glad to supply pictures as soon as I get started, please keep in mind that this tank will be in a house that is getting the concrete forms pulled off the basement walls today.