Would like to build a large tank.

[Iffrat]

I know some people who own a class place who might be able to hook me up and i have all the tools i could need to build a tank (to the best of my knowledge) but i would like to get an idea on what to do, size, filtration, sub straight, and so on.

The size is maybe 300 gal but im not dead set on it. i would like it to be glass front and sides but bottom and back (fiberglass maybe) to save some money.

I am thinking i would like to have some Pbass, Arowana, A cat, Royal Clown Knife, maybe some others but not sure. (would really like to have a stingray)

Mostly i would just like some thoughts ideas and some information on the project and maybe some people who have set up tanks similar (with fiberglass bottom and back) to this.

Thank you all for your time.

 

[Iffrat]

Also if anyone knows of a good place to get fish in the northern Indiana southern mich. area ( i hear of a really nice place around [SIZE=-1]Lansing MI but dont know the name of it)

hate that petsmart is the only place to get fish here
[/SIZE]

 

[Iffrat]

bump to see if anyone could help get me started in the right direction

 

[Camphilophus]

are you thinking of Preuss Pets in Lansing Michigan?

 

[Iffrat]

Im not sure .. i just hear that there is a great place up in that area and my GF's g-ma lives up there .. so i am in the area from time to time..

 

[cvermeulen]

Thanks for the PM on this. Your questions are pretty broad spectrum, so I'm not sure where to start other than to direct you to the search function. There are quite a few monster plywood DIY's going on right now, helping me through my boring work days with interesting reading.

What I've done is outlined pretty clearly in my build thread. If there are a few recommendations I can give you that might not be summarized concisely anywhere else...

1) Get sanded plywood. It will cost you more, but it will save you so much headache in the long run, it's worth it. I used mostly sanded plywood for mine, but I went exterior grade for the back and bottom, and I wish I hadn't. The sanded stuff is usually a better grade, as well as being smooth, so it needs less babying, and a lot less filling.

2) Be prepared to spend a lot of time fiberglassing and sanding. It's time consuming, and you don't want sharp fiberglass needles poking into your tank. For a tank in the size range you're talking about, fiberglass in the seams is probably not necessary, and will save you a lot of time and hassle if you don't go for it. Woven fiberglass tape might be a good compromise between nothing, and what I have done.

3) Filtration is as per any other tank really. Do what suits you. I'm running an FX5 on my 200gal tank and I love it. I ran a sump at first and I hated it. My new tank will be running an internal filter.

4) Substrate is also the same as any other tank. things like play sand and pea gravel are cheap. Things like moon sand are expensive. Go to a cement or aggregate yard to see if they have any sands you might like, as that's a good inexpensive way to go.

 

[Iffrat]

Thanks for the PM on this. Your questions are pretty broad spectrum, so I'm not sure where to start other than to direct you to the search function. There are quite a few monster plywood DIY's going on right now, helping me through my boring work days with interesting reading.

What I've done is outlined pretty clearly in my build thread. If there are a few recommendations I can give you that might not be summarized concisely anywhere else...

1) Get sanded plywood. It will cost you more, but it will save you so much headache in the long run, it's worth it. I used mostly sanded plywood for mine, but I went exterior grade for the back and bottom, and I wish I hadn't. The sanded stuff is usually a better grade, as well as being smooth, so it needs less babying, and a lot less filling.

I have used this a lot and found http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236174
[FONT=&quot]Which is what I think im going to base my build off of .

[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The thing about this one is that I have done a lot of construction work in the past and I can get one of the guys I worked for to pick up a few extra on the next house build and pay them for it and get it at builder cost .. and that is almost NEVER sanded .. so I know it will take the extra work .. but I have the tools and my time is free to me.

[/FONT]

2) Be prepared to spend a lot of time fiberglassing and sanding. It's time consuming, and you don't want sharp fiberglass needles poking into your tank. For a tank in the size range you're talking about, fiberglass in the seams is probably not necessary, and will save you a lot of time and hassle if you don't go for it. Woven fiberglass tape might be a good compromise between nothing, and what I have done.

[FONT=&quot]I don think I will need to do any fiberglassing doing the build that I listed above but im not 100% sure yet .. if I end up needed to .. I guess that will be a learning experience lol [/FONT]

3) Filtration is as per any other tank really. Do what suits you. I'm running an FX5 on my 200gal tank and I love it. I ran a sump at first and I hated it. My new tank will be running an internal filter.

I have a xP3 175 U.S. gal : 350 U.S. gal/hr (660L 1,350L/hr) that I have on my 150 that seems to do the job really well and is dead silent. I am thinking 2 of these or maybe something larger would be best.

4) Substrate is also the same as any other tank. things like play sand and pea gravel are cheap. Things like moon sand are expensive. Go to a cement or aggregate yard to see if they have any sands you might like, as that's a good inexpensive way to go.

I really think I want to go with sand… the fish I would REALLY love to have in it are

1 Arowana
1-2 Pbass
1-2 Dats
1-2 Rays

That would be my dream tank.. I don’t know if it would work since the demotions are more then likely going to be 72L x 30W x 24H if I could use 10mm Glass since that is the only thing that I can get locally with out a special order 12mm glass cost A LOT more

any more information about the size, fish, or anything else would be greatly appreciated .. thank you for your help.. should help me get this tank going and make things easier for me