1,000 Gal Plywood/Acrylic in-wall Fish Lounge

Lil_Stinker

Fire Eel
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May 30, 2006
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See this thread for window attachment question, still need input...
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271592
Anyone ever done this before?

The photos are 1/2 of my raw basement. Currently a big empty space about 20' X 21'

I will divide this are into two rooms, the tank room, and the viewing lounge.

The lounge will be about 11 x 18. tank measurements in sketch.

The electric panel will be in a false closet with Bi-Fold doors. loosing a couple feet on that end for service area.

The lounge area build will start within a couple weeks, followed by the tank, as time & weather allow. The tank parts will be fiberglassed outside then brought in for final assembly, corner sealing/fiberglassing & the viewing windows.

As you can see in the image, there Will be two tanks connected by some sort of "tunnel" thus allowing the smaller fish a HUGE cave to go to for cover.

The smaller tank may have permanent feeder parent residents in the back area, with an egg crate barrier, the juvenile fish will be able to pass through the egg crate & the tunnels into the main tank. The larger fish will decide which ones are allowed to pass back into the cave tank.

As you can see the basement is insulated, as will the tank.

The ceiling is low, the tank will be lower that average, as it has duct work above it & I need room to maintain it.

I am planning on mounting the main viewing window from the outside, with a retention frame bolted on the outside & silicone on the inside against an internal frame. Spacers will ensure an even 3/8 silicone bead gasket, even with the retaining frame bolted in place.

The smaller tank will have the window on the inside.

fish lounge 1.PNG

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Lil_Stinker

Fire Eel
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May 30, 2006
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My son & I went to Lowe's and spent some money.
Here are some photos of the current progress, sorry on the photo quality, I can't seem to find my camera, so cell pics will have to do for now.. This is two out of 4 walls framed. bed time & then the other two walls tomorrow.

The wall my son is working on is the South wall, the other is the West.. The tank will be in the North wall.

I never knew how much longer a project takes with a 13yo but he is learning a lot & we are having a great time..

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greenterra

Blue Tier VIP
MFK Member
I like your idea to have a joining tunnel of some sort between the main tanks. It looks like it will be a great project and a great experience for your son as well as yourself. Will be watching this build.
 

Lil_Stinker

Fire Eel
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May 30, 2006
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Here you can see the north wall, That opening is 99 inches wide, there is still the top frame to put on, then it can accept the front of the tank..

Today was a slow day for framing.. My son could not stay focused, but 20 feet isn't too bad.

You can see the top edge of the East wall that will go along the stairs (only the top board is on, so far.

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