What are your thoughts on this..

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atticus22

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 25, 2009
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warwick
Hi guys, think this is the first time I've ever posted, been browsing for a couple of years now though!

Basically I was interested in what your thoughts are on this:

rotunda 001.jpg

I cannot stop looking at this setup and am determined to build something like this myself in the hopefully not too distant future, albeit on a smaller scale (I am thinking around 9/10ft long by 5/6ft high), however when it comes to large scale DIY projects I am unfortunately a complete novice (obviously when it comes to the actual construction I would enlist someone more knowledgable to help!) and so I was wondering if those of you with very large setups could advise me on what would be the best way to go about attempting to build this aquarium/enclosure?

I am particularly interested in what the best method of implementing the clear viewing panel in the front would be, regarding the joining/sealing to the concrete which would make up the land areas behind it, and also what the best material would be to use, e.g. acrylic, glass, in terms of cost and primarily strength

Also what filtration/heating methods would you incorporate? Would a protein skimmer be appropriate too?

I am also interested as to what animals could be added. The primary animal I want to include is a male green anaconda, and a school of large amazonian fish, but I was also interested in your opinions on whether such animals as a stingray or even a turtle of some kind would be ok in this enclosure with the anaconda.

I realise this isnt quite 'monster fish' related (well, it kind of is, haha!) but I figured from the threads I have read on here in the past regarding large setups etc you guys are among the best to ask :D

Many thanks

Chris

rotunda 001.jpg
 
wow impressive setup. in terms of reconstructing something like that i would go plywood construction for obvious reasons. your biggest cost is going to be that front pane 10x6 :WHOA: thats a big bit of glass! have you looked at quotes for glass vs acrylic?

not sure how the anaconda would work though?

what fish species are you planning? an arowana, peacock bass and stingrays were born for that setup!

i look forward to seeing this progress in the furure. congrats on the first post in 3 years lol :headbang2
 
If you look closely there's an anaconda in the enclosure at the right hand side of the base of the tree :D The photo is of an enclosure at Gdansk aquarium, which houses 2 female anacondas (they are an almost fully aquatic species). I would be interested in something similar to the school of Oscars in the pic, or maybe silver dollars (or any other suggestions?! I am not as familiar with fish species as I am with reptiles, haha!).

I have made an artificial background for a paludarium I have recently constructed so am pretty confident about creating the 'stone' areas. It is mostly the join between the glass and the rest of the enclosure that I am unsure about, with regards to the seal and bracing it etc...?

Cheers

Chris
 
Hmm, well... Anacondas are not fully aquatic.

In home setups, I dont think mixing fish with reptiles is a good idea. The rest of the enclosure would be fine though.
 
No. But a lot of people do, and it tends to end badly for the fish. Anacondas make enormous amounts of waste, which would probably require a lot of equipment to keep the water clean. Turtles do the same, plus they are pretty aggressive towards fish.
 
I think it's an amazing idea! As long as you had it set up to handle the amazing amount of waste made by the anaconda, you'd do well! I can assume that you'd feed the snake outside of the enclosure anyway, right? If so, you may be able to let it digest out of the enclosure, too. Then, you'd just need a warm place for your fat, happy guy to hang out. I think it would be awesome!
You are going to want to look into maintaining the temp in that set up, which wouldn't be too hard. Pacu Mom is currently building a huge aquarium with a similar viewing panel. You should find that thread and check it out. She goes step by step, and will answer a lot of your questions. Also, check out the DIY forum. They're brilliant over there, and have tried just about everything.
Best of luck to you! I can't wait to see this thing built!
 
i wouldnt house anything i wasnt ok with looseing to the anaconda, never owned a green but my yellow was particularly aggressive. i would first snake proof the enclosure includeing any filtration holes. imo minimal is best, fewer spots to potentially escape. depending on the temperment may consoder a denfor the snake that can be gated off if need be. the diy section will give you pretty indepth info.. another member here has a ray habitat similar to your idea.
 
What a totally awesome enclosure...if I only had the budget of a public aqurium/zoo!! Acrylic would most definitely be stronger than glass, weigh less and be the most clear. I know those types of enclosures are built as a regular enclosure(squared off corners, flat floor, etc) and then the decor is added after. One could refer to the way a plywood tank is built(threads available here on MFK) and then it would just be a matter of creating the interior. Keep in mind an important reality...these enclosures are engineered and built using teams of professionals so the end result you are after may take more than just building the tank and decorating. The one you have pictured is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of a 1000g even partially filled like that, maybe more. The point is, do diligence is probably your best tool to tackle a project like that one.
As far as filtration and the like, a normal approach would be the best. Canister filters or a sump, maybe circulation at one end to sumulate the current in a river,no need for a protein skimmer but I would use a UV. I would also make it serviceable...ie; adequate access through the top and probably the side on one side at least...remember cleaning it could be a problem if you cant reach the bottom and sides.
I have dreamed of owning a setup like that(sans snake) and wish you the best of luck to achieve that awesome endeavor!
 
Thanks for the replies guys :D

Firstly, haha yes I know they're not fully aquatic, I plan on incorporating land areas too, not just dropping a snake in a fish tank, haha ;)

Thanks very much for the advice, will definitely check out pacu moms thread! If people could point me in the direction of a couple of these large plywood build threads/the ray habitat that would be great!

I've spent near enough 2 years planning and building a green tree python/fish paludarium which I've just recently finished, so patience and cost for this next one (to a point!) will not be an issue for me!

I think I would like to go for just one large school of maybe some oscars, like in the pic, a stingray and maybe a large arowana.

Would a protein skimmer not be as useful for getting rid of the large amounts of waste then? A UV is the way to go you think? I've never really looked into them tbh!
 
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