Building An Indoor Pond...

[monodon]

Actually, make that two indoor ponds.

I'm new to the site and love what I've seen so far. We're getting ready to make two 100 gallon indoor ponds, each 1sq meter x 1/2 meter tall. The reason we're going with indoor ponds instead of something like acrylic tanks is due to ease of construction, the assumption that it will be cheaper, and also the fact that these aren't really display tanks.

The tanks are actually for salt-water shrimp. We're wanting to experiment with raising our own shrimp and will eventually be working outdoors with a lot more water out at our country home, but we want to try the process out first indoors here in the flat.

Anyways, the plan is essentially to get some 2x4's or similar and some plywood and everything, pretty typical I should think, but I'm wondering if anyone here knows where I can find more detail on how to actually build the structure? I've done some searching on Google for indoor ponds, but haven't turned up too much. I just need a good way to figure out how to actually make the frame to ensure it will hold together under the pressure and weight of the water.

Any ideas, or any links to some examples? In the meantime, I'll be searching the community here to see what more I can find.
Thanks for the help!

 

[monodon]

Okay, let me give you guys an idea of how I think I would be approaching this, and you tell me if it will work to hold together. I haven't been to a lumberyard yet to know exactly what I'd be working with, and am not quite sure how it would be sized here in Europe 'cause I'm used to the U.S. and 2x4's, 2x12's. Maybe the same sizes are used but simply named differently?

Anyways, with the bottom frame, assuming we're working with 2x4's, I figured there would be four boards to act as the perimeter. Then, this would be filled in with more boards acting as joists, standing on the shorter side. The question then would be how far apart they should be spaced. I'm also assuming it would be best to intersect these with more going in the opposite direction, to make a grid. Would simply screwing in some long screws from where each board touches the perimeter boards work to hold it together? Then some plywood would be placed on top...

The real question I'm having though is with the sides. Could these be built in the same way that you would build a frame for a wall in a house, then putting plywood on both sides? How far apart would the studs need to be if so? The alternative would be something like http://www.pondarmor.com/blog/?p=7 this I guess, but it seems like it wouldn't be necessary to do something like this with smaller ponds like this.

I'd also be interested in hearing opinions on how to make the seams between the bottom frame and the wall frames, if something like I described above would work. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dr Joe]

I'm moving this to the "indoor pond" section for better response.

And it's painfully obvious that you haven't searched on here yet so let's see what we can find to get you started.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213775&highlight=indoor+pond

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212140&highlight=indoor+pond

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180859&highlight=indoor+pond



Could you consider this...

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8283&highlight=indoor+pond

There's a few to think about, let us know what you decide on.

What shrimp are you considering raising?

Dr Joe

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[monodon]

Hi, thanks for the welcome and moving the thread; thought the DIY forum might have made a better fit since it is a DIY project, but I can see it being better suited here too.

Thanks for the links to help the search - I hadn't made it any further than necrocanis' huge thread on his HUGE indoor pond in the DIY forum.

The third link to perfectperfect's build was great because it seems that he basically did what I was speaking of. I'd love for any replies on this though, especially anything a little more specific than pictures, to make sure I know exactly what I need when its time to get the materials (which isn't easy or cheap in the city). Anyone that wants to help make a plan and see it come to fruition is definitely encouraged.

We'll be raising black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Biggest shrimp there are! They can get over a foot long and some females can even get to two pounds!

 

[perfect_prefect]

Glad i could be of assistance. At 3x3x1.5 you wont have alot of pressure pushing out. I would say 3 2x4's going left-right and 2 up-down. With one layer of 3/4 inch plywood. Put styrophome insulation on the bottom. Line with old carpet. Then pond liner. Roll out insulation in the walls then just cheap panel on the outside.

 

[monodon]

Ahh, thanks for the reply!

I think possibly today we will be going to a shop to see what kinds of materials they have available and at what prices, so I can draw up the plans, know what it will cost, and present it to the investor footing the bill.

Will I need anything special for connecting the wall frames together and to the bottom frame, like those metal L shaped things, or will screws do the whole job?

 

[Muske]

Screws and glue...

The brackets or braces may not be necessary since it is a samll volume of water. I would probally put them on their, but I over build everything for piece of mind.

 

[monodon]

Glue? Should it be applied along the entire lengths of where the boards meet, or just in certain areas, or just to attach the plywood? Will it be necessary to get clamps (hoping not)? Sorry, hadn't seen anything about this in my searching (kind of hard to find specific information on how to do this).

 

[Dr Joe]

On this project just at the joints will do. Cut and fit everything, then as you assemble, glue and screw it together. Use a waterproof wood glue (it's cheap).

Only downside is if you are ever considering disassembling for moving it, but the added security overrides this in most cases.

Dr Joe

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[monodon]

On this project just at the joints will do. Cut and fit everything, then as you assemble, glue and screw it together. Use a waterproof wood glue (it's cheap).

Sounds like a plan man, thanks for the input everyone. Went to a shop today and found some nice, thick pond liner (will .5mm work or would it be necessary to go with the .8mm?). Will draw up the official plans soon and run it by everyone before we order the lumber and plywood.

Can't wait to have some monster shrimp!

Maybe we'll get them this big? Maybe not until we're working outdoors...