Building My 50,000 Gallon Monster Mega Tank

[rainmun]

Hey arapaimag, I just want to compliment you one your tank, your love of your fish, just everything in whole. One of my customers told me about your tank and I just had to check it out.

I actually own an aquarium her in Browns Plains, Australia. And honestly, if you cam into my shop and said "yeah I have a 50,000 Gal (thats 200 000L to us)" I wouldn't believe ya. That tank is somethink un-achivable and un-heard of over here.

Man once again thanks for sharing.

A couple of questions, how did you work out the inch thick glass was strong enough for that height aquarium? And also how did you manage to control the concrete from expanding and contracting? My old man built 60 ponds in his green house, and almost all of them have cracked over time.

 

[seung_k]

This is the most amazing tank I have ever seen! You have done what all fish enthusiasts dream of doing. How much and what do you feed them on a daily basis? Have you ever thought of swimming with your fish?

 

[arapaimag]

Hey arapaimag, I just want to compliment you one your tank, your love of your fish, just everything in whole. One of my customers told me about your tank and I just had to check it out.

I actually own an aquarium her in Browns Plains, Australia. And honestly, if you cam into my shop and said "yeah I have a 50,000 Gal (thats 200 000L to us)" I wouldn't believe ya. That tank is somethink un-achivable and un-heard of over here.

Man once again thanks for sharing.

A couple of questions, how did you work out the inch thick glass was strong enough for that height aquarium? And also how did you manage to control the concrete from expanding and contracting? My old man built 60 ponds in his green house, and almost all of them have cracked over time.

Thanks for kind words

I hosted the Paralympic Silver medal winning Aussie girls team at my wc bb tournament in July
You can see their pictures at my bb website listed below and also a few other hobbyists big tanks.

I checked with one of my financial advisors who actually lectured at the time on the properties of glass at a large university. I also studied several large reptile aquariums in the area and spoke with the builders of their tanks.

I built the walls 12" thick with double rebar every foot. As well I mixed into the concrete a fibre material that helps stop cracking of the concrete. It comes in 1lb packages here and has possibly a few hundred pieces per pound. I aslo de-aerated the concrete with a vibrating pump to help remove air bubbles.

have you got a website of your store? Do you sell monster fish?

keep smiling.

 

[arapaimag]

This is the most amazing tank I have ever seen! You have done what all fish enthusiasts dream of doing. How much and what do you feed them on a daily basis? Have you ever thought of swimming with your fish?

Glad you enjoyed the pics

I feed a variety of food including flakes,pellets,dog food, vegetables, etc once or twice a week. Smelt, makeral,herring,whitefish etc once or twice a month. There are huge colonies of african and central american cichlids breeding in the tank and supplying food to the predators.

This way I don't need to run my filter. The lava rock acts as a filter.

I am unable to physically get into the tank. I am paralyzed from the armpits down from 2 motorcycle accidents.

I actually was a competitive swimmer in a past life.

 

[downset21]

what you did as far as tank building is amazing, and so is your work with all the stuff on the spitfire website I just checked out. Despite your accidents, you've accomplished amazing things that most people not in your situation wouldnt dream (or only dream) of doing. I STILL NEED TO SEE SOME PICTURES... excuse my new found addiction to this monster fish tank.

 

[kjkeller]

i was wondering if you could give us a stocking list (at least an abriged one). i am very curious to know what all you keep in that monster tank. great job btw.

 

[arapaimag]

i was wondering if you could give us a stocking list (at least an abriged one). i am very curious to know what all you keep in that monster tank. great job btw.

thanks,


I will over the next week make a partial list of fish in both tanks

 

[st.anger]

now that is a dream tank.
very nice

 

[carsanfish]

10,000 gallon water changes how much is your water bill... and how long does it take to empty 10,000 gallons of water and refill it...

 

[kjkeller]

actually, that is a good question. roughly, how much time do you spend on maintenance each week/day. and what do you use to drain 10,000 gallons of water. also, where do you put 10,000 gallons of water. i would imagine it doesnt just go down the drain.