Not your typical basement pond

[the_deeb]

Sounds like it would be an awesome build if you could overcome the challenges. Unfortunately I can't offer construction advice since the scale of this is far beyond my experience but I do have one suggestion - since the 8ft of water pressure seems to be a concern, why not have an 8ft window but only have 3ft of water in a paludarium-like setup? I would imagine that would allow you to have a much thinner (and cheaper) viewing window.

Here's an inspirational picture as an example of what I'm suggesting (taken from here: http://www.greenchapter.com/view.php?pg=0&tp=500&id=44 )

 

[basslover34]

Not the point. You kept referring to MY bank account, etc. How much it would cost is a concern, but what is TOO much (for me), or what I consider to be "scary" to my bank account isn't an issue I want to discuss here. I don't see what's screwy about that. It was funny the first time though, I hadn't heard anyone refer to expensive that way before.

Just to shoot the dung (nice change of words there huh ) What were you thinking as a possible window size? We can calculate the thickness and go from there...

It's possible it's a no-go. It's possible it's 5 years from now. Or 10. Astronomical price tag (greater than price of the house, or two.. depends.) would bury it, as would logistical impossibility (waterproofing to the degree required not physically possible, etc). I'm flexible. I can deal with just a monster indoor tank or two. If I have to. I guess. More than a couple months is "never" to most message boards though, so if it takes a few years... Man I'm a dinosaur by then.

just call em like I see em... to many people come back and say "it's a no go, after running the math on blah blah" they just come to the realization that it's incredibly expensive, so it's better to bombard people with the truth so they expect the worst and hopefully get a deal along the way

I do appreciate the input about the idea itself. Clearly you have enough interest to even post, so you're not completely jaded.

moi... jaded... ... well sometimes LOL

I'll let you know if the project ever starts.

Thanks again,

Ellie

Thanks

 

[basslover34]

Sounds like it would be an awesome build if you could overcome the challenges. Unfortunately I can't offer construction advice since the scale of this is far beyond my experience but I do have one suggestion - since the 8ft of water pressure seems to be a concern, why not have an 8ft window but only have 3ft of water in a paludarium-like setup? I would imagine that would allow you to have a much thinner (and cheaper) viewing window.

Here's an inspirational picture as an example of what I'm suggesting (taken from here: http://www.greenchapter.com/view.php?pg=0&tp=500&id=44 )

I love that look... I've considered it for my basement but I just don't have a layout that would support it in the family room down there , As was mentioned though she is looking for this to be part of her outdoor pond which would look alittle off if it's 8-10 deep and only has 2' of water in it LOL... could be a great idea for that 25' wall though...

 

[Celastrus]

Just to shoot the dung (nice change of words there huh ) What were you thinking as a possible window size? We can calculate the thickness and go from there...

Well if we're gonna rifle through the poo...
8' was my dream-voice talking (as I said), but I could live with 6, and maybe even as low as 4' high for the window itself, if I have to... Depends on how much longer it would take to save up for the bigger and how impatient I am (and I am...). I did some preliminary calculating via a website with some #s I think was linked through MFK (not sure). Seems 8' would be 4" thick glass, and 6' 2.5" thick (roughly). I haven't done 4' yet but I'm guessing 1"-1.5"
I know it's going to be multi-thousands but I can't find anything online to tell me how many multi thousands. And yes, at that thickness I'm shelling out for low-iron glass, even if I have to save longer, and even through my impatience. That is one thing I won't budge on.

I do not wish for it to break, but if it does, I do not wish for large shards to be forced into the parallel wall and possibly through family members, even if it means a possible leak rather than a whoosh. Has auto-style glass worked for other large projects, or is it inadvisable for some reason? Or would you have to go the full thickness - ie is it substantially weaker with the sandwich in the auto style? I'm tempted on acrylic but I don't like how it would need replacing. Provided it doesn't break, the glass never would... although that plastic in the sandwich - hmm.
Brain hurts. I'll go take some google.

just call em like I see em... to many people come back and say "it's a no go, after running the math on blah blah"

I've no doubt. It could happen here too. I guess we'll see. That's why I love open discussion on online forums though - people get an idea out (which they are often understandably excited about - it's exciting!) and see if it's worked for others or if there's something they're just not taking into account. Like most things in life, often that's the case, but I imagine a lot more folks do actually take the plunge with such a support network than might otherwise. I think it often gets done better and safer with such support and input too - more brains, more thoughts on things that could go wrong or that might need consideration.

Love it,
Ellie

 

[Celastrus]

why not have an 8ft window but only have 3ft of water in a paludarium-like setup? I would imagine that would allow you to have a much thinner (and cheaper) viewing window.

That is a really neat idea. And yeah, maybe in addition somewhere, someday. I'm gonna stew on that.

Thanks!

Ellie

 

[basslover34]

Well if we're gonna rifle through the poo...
8' was my dream-voice talking (as I said), but I could live with 6, and maybe even as low as 4' high for the window itself, if I have to... Depends on how much longer it would take to save up for the bigger and how impatient I am (and I am...). I did some preliminary calculating via a website with some #s I think was linked through MFK (not sure). Seems 8' would be 4" thick glass, and 6' 2.5" thick (roughly). I haven't done 4' yet but I'm guessing 1"-1.5"
I know it's going to be multi-thousands but I can't find anything online to tell me how many multi thousands. And yes, at that thickness I'm shelling out for low-iron glass, even if I have to save longer, and even through my impatience. That is one thing I won't budge on.

Ok so if your talking about a 4' window you realize that we are talking about 4' from the top of the water to the bottom of the glass right? as it's the depth of the bottom of the glass that tells you how thick the glass needs to be, So if your ground level outside the house is even with the ceiling of the basement (prob not to far off) then you messure down from the ceiling to your comfortable level of veiwing and that would be how your going to choose the thickness of the sheet of glass...Hope that made sense since I'm getting off of a 18 hr work day it might not LOL

I do not wish for it to break, but if it does, I do not wish for large shards to be forced into the parallel wall and possibly through family members, even if it means a possible leak rather than a whoosh. Has auto-style glass worked for other large projects, or is it inadvisable for some reason? Or would you have to go the full thickness - ie is it substantially weaker with the sandwich in the auto style? I'm tempted on acrylic but I don't like how it would need replacing. Provided it doesn't break, the glass never would... although that plastic in the sandwich - hmm.
Brain hurts. I'll go take some google.

"auto style" (dual sheets of tempered glass laminated together) glass isn't really an option at these thicknesses, your only option is for getting the glass tempered so that if it does break it's going to shatter into a billion pieces instead of shards. (that should easily double the price) However Acrylic is going to be your best bet here, I think you misunderstand the "con" side of Acrylic.. it scratches which means that it needs a buffing every so often (not replacing) but the "pro" is that it can handle a beating (since this is a game room I'm expecting something like a pool table or some sort of flying something at some point... glass will be a BIG problem if it gets hit... but Acrylic ... No problem and it is half the weight of glass and you don't need to worry about low iron as it has superior transparency to glass, No glass tank in the world is as clear as a acrylic.

 

[Iafishkeeper]

one way to maybe save some money would be to contact the construction/concrete companies in the off season. They don't have as much to do and some would take a smaller build like this to keep some of the guys working. At least here in iowa this works.. lol many of the crews here get laid off and have little work during this time of year. They could even build it at there location and then put it on one of their flat bed trucks and haul it to your house to make it easier and perhaps save some money. of course it takes money to transport something, but it's all in the negotiations...

Hope that helps.

 

[protectandserve21]

I just can't see this happening without A LOT of money being spent on reinforcement and a plan on what to do if it broke .

 

[Ullopincrate]

Be diligent and keep at it. Live the dream. After you are done I might just copy you.

 

[Iafishkeeper]

I just can't see this happening without A LOT of money being spent on reinforcement and a plan on what to do if it broke .

I guess i'm a little confused.... what do you mean reinforcement ? and also the what to do if it broke ?

If this tank was built by a professional and built properly there should be no way it would break. it breaking would honestly be the least of my worries. a wall of solid concrete several inches(or what ever the exact thickness should be) thick is plenty to hold the water. They could put bracing in where necessary.

Hiring an engineer to draw up the plans would be one of the first steps.. this would tell you how thick and how many yards of conrete you will need and how much re-rod... lol i mean re-bar you will need and the thickness of it. After the engineering stage you will have many of the financials estimated... also the engineer might be able to help with putting the hole for the window in the foundation.

Adding an egress window is something people do all the time... this is very simliar to that... as long as the tank doesn't put any stress on the foundation.... and in my thought process it wouldn't.

Any other thoughts....

I would be curious to see what a box of this sort would cost...

hell it would be fun just to call an engineer and have a conversation with him/her about a build of this sort. and see what they would have to say... get the right one (fish lover) and your set..