As a solo tank, I run an Optima filter as well. I've had the tank on a loop system, too, and ran up to 30 450s and a couple of these tanks on the same loop. The filter was a 2500 gal live matrix FG tank w/sludge separator, degassing tower, UV grid, and skimmer. The return was accomplished with 2 Dolphin pumps (one in reserve in case the primary failed) putting out over 450 gallons per minute.
pentair fiberglass tanks with viewing windows
- Thread starter SandNukka15
- Start date
I wanna thank all for their input. Very helpful to me.
I've been looking at these "aquaria" earnestly 4 years ago see page 1, entry #10 http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=33968 . IIRC, they cited the acrylic thickness at 0.25" and that the tanks were made in Malaysia (?) for aquaculture, a far less demanding application in terms of durability / leaks and aesthetics of viewing the fish than our hobby.
I passed up on them and went with Dolphin FG for quality and assurance. Bought two 4500 gal for $16,000 each delivered. That was the best price for dollar per gallon at the time in 2011-2012. Instead of $32,000 worth of these rival ponds with windows in question.
... But perhaps I was wrong. Anyway, I'd tremendously appreciate more input from the long-term users such as
Oddball
pacu mom
and maybe others?
SandNukka15
have you gotten one? What's the acrylic thickness?
Yea, to repaint, one needs to sand down the hard wax layer and then apply the FG resin + catalyst (no fiberglass in this mix) containing a needed pigment. That's what I had to do when I did the seams in my 4500's. If you apply the resin or any paint or primer directly over the wax layer, it will flake off within months. See this, page 7 in particular http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=33968&start=120
The FG resin already contains the wax added and when the catalyst is added, the resin starts polymerizing and hardening, this pushes the was to the resin-air surface and thus you have a nice, hard, shiny finish of wax inherently embedded into the FG.
I've been looking at these "aquaria" earnestly 4 years ago see page 1, entry #10 http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=33968 . IIRC, they cited the acrylic thickness at 0.25" and that the tanks were made in Malaysia (?) for aquaculture, a far less demanding application in terms of durability / leaks and aesthetics of viewing the fish than our hobby.
I passed up on them and went with Dolphin FG for quality and assurance. Bought two 4500 gal for $16,000 each delivered. That was the best price for dollar per gallon at the time in 2011-2012. Instead of $32,000 worth of these rival ponds with windows in question.
... But perhaps I was wrong. Anyway, I'd tremendously appreciate more input from the long-term users such as
Oddball
pacu mom
and maybe others?
SandNukka15
have you gotten one? What's the acrylic thickness?Yea, to repaint, one needs to sand down the hard wax layer and then apply the FG resin + catalyst (no fiberglass in this mix) containing a needed pigment. That's what I had to do when I did the seams in my 4500's. If you apply the resin or any paint or primer directly over the wax layer, it will flake off within months. See this, page 7 in particular http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=33968&start=120
The FG resin already contains the wax added and when the catalyst is added, the resin starts polymerizing and hardening, this pushes the was to the resin-air surface and thus you have a nice, hard, shiny finish of wax inherently embedded into the FG.
Farther down on page 1 of my PCF thread I wrote:
Re: My Public Aquarium: exhibit blues - how to make them?
Postby Viktor Jarikov » Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:29 am
Thanks guys for the feedback and well-wishes. One correction already. Compliments of Greg - the master tank builder and the owner of Fintastic (GA), now I know that the mentioned aquatic-eco fiberglass tubs with windows do not look like that pictured on their website. The one pictured is probably a small(er) tank.
The 600 US gal, 8'x4'x30", $1630 tank (product # FT523W2) has a 69"x17" window.
The 720 US gal, 8'x4'x3', $2005 tank (product # FT632W2) has a 63"x15.5" window (yes, even smaller).
The website pic is, therefore, quite misleading. Bummer. The aquatic-eco tanks are not my front runners anymore and hardly are in consideration.
The acrylic windows are pretty thin too at only 1/4".
Re: My Public Aquarium: exhibit blues - how to make them?
Postby Viktor Jarikov » Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:29 am
Thanks guys for the feedback and well-wishes. One correction already. Compliments of Greg - the master tank builder and the owner of Fintastic (GA), now I know that the mentioned aquatic-eco fiberglass tubs with windows do not look like that pictured on their website. The one pictured is probably a small(er) tank.
The 600 US gal, 8'x4'x30", $1630 tank (product # FT523W2) has a 69"x17" window.
The 720 US gal, 8'x4'x3', $2005 tank (product # FT632W2) has a 63"x15.5" window (yes, even smaller).
The website pic is, therefore, quite misleading. Bummer. The aquatic-eco tanks are not my front runners anymore and hardly are in consideration.
The acrylic windows are pretty thin too at only 1/4".
On page two I wrote:
(10) Finally, Fiberglass tubs+window: these are the front runners at the moment.
Aquaticeco.com, near Orlando FL - only two sizes suitable for me, 8’x4’x3’, $2000, 8’x4’x2.5’ $1600
http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories ... 1063569469
These are mass-produced I think in Malaysia or Indonesia. Problem with these: the aquatic-eco fiberglass tubs with windows do not look like that pictured on their website. The one pictured is probably a small(er) tank.
The 600 US gal, 8'x4'x30", $1630 tank (product # FT523W2) has a 69"x17" window.
The 720 US gal, 8'x4'x3', $2005 tank (product # FT632W2) has a 63"x15.5" window (yes, even smaller).
The website pic is, therefore, quite misleading. Bummer. The aquatic-eco tanks are out of consideration.
Their acrylic windows are pretty thin too at only 1/4". What's wrong with this thickness? Greg Sowers wrote: These tanks are for fish farming and not public aquarium viewing. The acrylic will bow and is not very good quality as these things are not designed for what you are wishing to use them for. They will not leak, but will not be a good long or short term option in my opinion.
(10) Finally, Fiberglass tubs+window: these are the front runners at the moment.
Aquaticeco.com, near Orlando FL - only two sizes suitable for me, 8’x4’x3’, $2000, 8’x4’x2.5’ $1600
http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories ... 1063569469
These are mass-produced I think in Malaysia or Indonesia. Problem with these: the aquatic-eco fiberglass tubs with windows do not look like that pictured on their website. The one pictured is probably a small(er) tank.
The 600 US gal, 8'x4'x30", $1630 tank (product # FT523W2) has a 69"x17" window.
The 720 US gal, 8'x4'x3', $2005 tank (product # FT632W2) has a 63"x15.5" window (yes, even smaller).
The website pic is, therefore, quite misleading. Bummer. The aquatic-eco tanks are out of consideration.
Their acrylic windows are pretty thin too at only 1/4". What's wrong with this thickness? Greg Sowers wrote: These tanks are for fish farming and not public aquarium viewing. The acrylic will bow and is not very good quality as these things are not designed for what you are wishing to use them for. They will not leak, but will not be a good long or short term option in my opinion.
Negative I will let you know it's that pentair is currently sold out of the 720 and 450 blue fiberglass ponds. I was looking for a 4th and gave them a call a few weeks back. They said it will be 120 days to get them from SE Asia once ordered. They no longer keep them I stock. I picked up another used one from a buddy but it's getting harder to find them
On the plus side there's no tax if ordering outside of Florida and they offer free shipping if you're willing to wait
No I have not....I've been doing more research and have been putting it off for quite a while lol...but come this summer I def need a 500 gallon plus so might have to take the plunge
My 405 tank has a glass window. I checked out your post on the other forum. Impressive tanks you've got there. Great project.
I had looked into Dolphin tanks, but they offered no warranties at that time so went with a custom acrylic tank. I have learned that "lifetime" warranties are not really what one thinks. There is a huge depreciation on tanks in terms of warranties.
I have always wondered who built this fiberglass tank that was featured in a set up thread.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...llon-tank-install-h20-custom-aquatics.187624/
It was later a show tank
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/h2o-4000-gallon-show-tank.277989/
And currently owned by bigrich545
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...000-gallon-tank-many-others-and-ponds.470877/
It is a beautiful tank.
I have always wondered who built this fiberglass tank that was featured in a set up thread.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...llon-tank-install-h20-custom-aquatics.187624/
It was later a show tank
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/h2o-4000-gallon-show-tank.277989/
And currently owned by bigrich545
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...000-gallon-tank-many-others-and-ponds.470877/
It is a beautiful tank.
