Thinking About Constructing a Monster Aquarium Yourself?

[Chaz88]

Excellent!! I guess I was sort of right about it being strong huh?...=P

No, you were wrong to assume it could withstand water pressure without consulting the manufacturer or engineering data.

 

[zennzzo]

No, you were wrong to assume it could withstand water pressure without consulting the manufacturer or engineering data.

Hey Chaz,
someday when you HAVE lived more years than you have LEFT to live,
you'll realize that sometimes it's OK to rely upon your gut instinct.
Especially when the subject being discussed is what you have done to pay the bills.
Are we having a bad hair day or something or is it that time of the month again??

 

[Chaz88]

Hey Chaz,
someday when you HAVE lived more years than you have LEFT to live,
you'll realize that sometimes it's OK to rely upon your gut instinct.
Especially when the subject being discussed is what you have done to pay the bills.
Are we having a bad hair day or something or is it that time of the month again??

Well I hope I have more years left to live than I have already lived, but that is a coin flip at best at this point in life.

I spent more than 20 years building, maintaining and doing structural proofs on military aircraft. Trusting gut instinct on that kind of work gets people killed. Of course with a fish tank you are only risking a disaster with up to a few thousand gallons of water, live stock and money.

I have also spent many years in construction, before and after I worked on aircraft. I would never perform a job and charge a costumer based on my gut instinct. I do what I know works, from experience. If I am using a new product or procedure for the first time I insure that it will meet or exceed the requirements of the intended function. It would be dishonest to charge my customer while employing any less due diligence than that.

Now that you mention it I could use a hair cut. It is also close to that time of the month, that my retirement check comes. I always look forward to that time of the month.

 

[Turbotad]

yea they waterproofed it with cement he said im going to a expo at the peoria civic center if any of u live in illinois lol they have demonstrations all day long i really fell in luck at the right time it seems

 

[Matt724]

Is the article out yet? The wait is killing me

 

[zennzzo]

yea they waterproofed it with cement he said im going to a expo at the peoria civic center if any of u live in illinois lol they have demonstrations all day long i really fell in luck at the right time it seems

TT, perfect timing huh?!
I do hope all goes well at the expo and you find this process, practical for Aquaria...
It would be great if this turns out to be a cost effective alternative to the standard reinforced concrete, block and mortar or sticks and sealers, that are currently the norm...

Please keep us posted on the details...

 

[Turbotad]

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ok i am not sure if this will show up correctly but here is my estimate i will be starting in the spring lol i got the ok from my woman and all systems should be a go!!!!!!!!!!!!! i will keep you posted with pictures but now before i go any further i need help with filters any ideas ???? i was thinking of building 3 150 gallon sump/bio filters and a uv light sterilizer but idk about something this big lol would that be to much flo restriction ? i have no idea and i need to getone or im stoped b4 i started lol HELP ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





Re: Estimate for Quad-Lock Components for your Project
Tad Davin fishtank - first​

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We estimate the following​

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[FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]Quad-Lock Materials [/FONT][/FONT]for your project:
Units per
Bag or
Box
Full Bags
or Boxes​

(roundup)​

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Exact
units
needed​

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Units​

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(rounded
up to full
boxes)​

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Price/Unit
(US$)
Extended
Price (US$)​

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Quad-Lock Panels (pairs) 5 15​

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[FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]73 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]75 [/FONT][/FONT]9.35 (75 units = 150 panels) 701.25
Q-L Plus Panels (pairs) 3 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]13.46 0.00
Q-L FS Panels (pairs) 5 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]12.33 0.00
Q-L Plus-FS Panels (pairs) 3 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]15.88 0.00
Quad-Lock 4" Ties 60 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]1.10 0.00
Full Ties 6" Ties 60 4 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]229 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]240 [/FONT][/FONT]1.10 264.00
8" Ties 50 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]1.10 0.00
10" Ties 40 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]1.10 0.00
12" Ties 40 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]1.10 0.00
Full Ties - SLAB 6" Ties 60 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]1.10 0.00
8" Ties 50 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]1.10 0.00
10" Ties 40 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]1.10 0.00
12" Ties 40 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]1.10 0.00
Extender Ties 50 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]2.41 0.00
Brick Ledge Ties 40 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]3.63 0.00
Corner Brackets inside (CBI) [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]20 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]20 [/FONT][/FONT]1.04 20.80
Corner Brackets outside (CBO) [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]20 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]20 [/FONT][/FONT]1.71 34.20
Angle Brackets (CBA) [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]2.94 0.00
Window Brackets (CBW) [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]1.45 0.00
Slab Brackets [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]2.55 0.00​

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Quad-Lock "Panels, Ties & Brackets" Subtotal​

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[/FONT]US$ [FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]1,020.25​

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Price/gross sqft: 3.04​

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Quad-Lock "non-FS Panels & Ties Only" Price/NET sqft for | R-22: 3.44 | R-32: 3.95 | R-40: 4.47
Total wall area: GROSS: 336 NET: 280 sqft​

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[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic](NET excl. window/door openings)​

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Above estimates include extra materials for safety (2% for Panels and 2% for Full Ties).​

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Recommended Quad-Lock Accessories:​

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Wire Top Ties 4" 100 0​

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[FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]0.70 0.00
6" 100 1 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]42 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]100 [/FONT][/FONT]0.70 70.00
8" 100 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]0.70 0.00
10" 100 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]0.70 0.00
12" 100 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]0.70 0.00​

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Metal Track:​

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[/FONT]pieces feet price/pc feet/piece: 10
Track (CTP) 23 [FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]230 [/FONT][/FONT]7.50 172.50
Track Plus 0 [FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]12.00 0.00
Flex Track 0 [FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]46.06 0.00
Zamac Track-Fasteners 100 0 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]0 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]18.28 per box 0.00
Peel & Stick Waterproofing in sqft: [FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]0 [/FONT][/FONT]0.54 0.00
Wind-Locks 1000 1 [FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]88 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]1000 [/FONT][/FONT]0.14 140.00​

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Recommended Quad-Lock Accessories Subtotal​

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[/FONT]US$ [FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]382.50
Quad-Lock Materials & Accessories Total [/FONT][/FONT]US$ [FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]1,402.75​

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Sales Taxes (if applicable) 0.0%
Freight Charges 0.00​

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Grand Total​

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[/FONT]US$ [FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]1,402.75​

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]Terms: [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,BoldItalic][FONT=Arial,BoldItalic]Price/gross sqft: 4.17
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[Turbotad]

sorry the deminsions are 16 feet long x 12 feet wide x 6 feet high

 

[Turbotad]

with 2 windows 7feet by 4 feet

 

[Anythingfish]

Filtration issues will in part include all of the following: the quantity, quantity and frequency of food fed, water turnover through the sump, the type of filters in the system and to some degree the amount of new (replacement) water added.

More expensive food such as smelt and Hakari Cichlid are nearly 100 percent digestible, do not breakdown in the water before being consumed by the fish nor cloud the water and result in very little residue for the filters to process.

Inexpensive fish food such as hot dogs and trout food, especially sinking types, will require more filtration and frequent cleaning or backwashing of the filters. (Note: Contrary to some published reports Arapaima gigas will accept a variety of dead food such as smelt, trout and many kinds of dried pellets both floating and sinking types from small 3MM to large 9MM in size.)

Mechanical filter types include in part the following: bead (often used on Koi ponds), cartridge (commonly used with hot tubs), sand (designed for swimming pool filtration) and fiber matting. All these types will work with varying degrees of success depending on the fish load surface area of the filter media and water flow rate through the filter. Each has its advantages: bead and sand filters can easily be cleaned (backwashed) by shifting the lever on a multiport valve, whereas cartridge filters require removal from their pressurized containers to be hand washed or otherwise cleaned and sometimes must be soaked in chlorine or other cleansing solution.

A biological filter containing for example bio balls may be required in addition to a mechanical filter. If the mechanical filter media is never washed in, for example, chlorinated water then they should serve as biological filters as well. It is important that the biological filters be designed in such a way that they can be drained and flushed periodically as fish waste will accumulated over time.

Much depends on the type of filter, the fish and food load, the surface area of the filter and the water flow rate. With pressurized cartridge filters the initial flow rate may be very good but as the filters clog with derbris the pressure builds and the water flow rate decreases rather quickly. Adding more filters in parallel likely will increase the time between filter washes. Further, if possible, placing in line (in series) a large pour size cartridge (100 micron) ahead of a smaller size (20 micron) will extend the wash cycle significantly.

With bead filters flow rate is important, too great and the derbris will not properly accumulate in the small beads which are about .17” (4.2 mm) in size (1 mm is about 1/25 of an inch) and just pass through the filter unimpeded. With a proper flow rate the bead type filter will remove derbris in the range of 40 to 100 microns in size which is suitable for outdoor ponds. As the tiny beads become clogged with fish waste the pressure will build in the filter until it “channels” that is to say it breaks through the clogged beads creating a small channel of loose beads where the water can flow through the filter almost unimpeded. The result of channeling is large dead spots in the filter resulting in very little filtration. Further, much of the biological filtration offered by the bead filter will be lost while the dead spots become anaerobic (deprived of oxygen) and begin to produce dangerous levels of Nitrites (NO2). Backwashing the filter before it becomes clogged is very important.

Sand filters operate in much the same way as bead filters and also channel. Most bead filters have up flow circulation while sand filters usually have a down flow action. Sand grains are much smaller typically .45 mm in size as compared with beads at 4.2 mm in size. When sand is used to filter aquarium fish water bacteria tends to cling to and bind multiple grains of sand together over time which reduces filter efficiency. Further as the sand grains bind together the top layer of filter media becomes caked very hard which may greatly restrict water flow and often will not break apart during the backwash cycle. Sand filters used on swimming pools mostly filter chlorinated water and therefore bacteria is unlikely to grow. Where the beads in a bead filter will last for many years, the sand grains sharp edges become smooth resulting in reduced filtration efficiency. Sand filter sand may require replacement as frequently as every one to two years.

Depending on the fish load and amount of feed fed an additional purely biological filter may be required. For example, my 8,000 gallon outdoor aquarium contains about 65 fish with a combined weight of approximately 700 pounds. I feed every other day in the range of 6 to 8 pounds of various floating sinking and other fresh frozen (thawed) food all at one time. If I feed in small quantities through out the day the less aggressive fish do not get their proper share.

My filter systems are as follows. Two each Pentair Marlin (TR-140) sand filters in parallel with a combined flow rate of 100 GPM. Five barrels containing 40 gallons of 1” bio balls each in parallel with a combined flow rate of 50 GPM. I have a 12 cartridge system which I operate infrequently as these require a lot of cleaning maintenance.

A large gravity type, water flow in, sump can be helpful as heavier derbris tend to settle out to the bottom and therefore are not picked up by the pump which grinds up everything to a small size and therefore passes more easily through the filter media unrestrained.

My average water parameters are far from perfect:
Ammonia (NH3/4) .25 PPM
Nitrites (NO2) .1 PPM
Nitrates (NO3) 200 PPM
Carbonate Hardness (KH) 100 PPM, (local tap water very soft requires adding 10# of baking soda per week)
PH 7.0

With larger and more frequent water changes I could reduce the Nitrites but I am really waiting for the perfect Nitrite filter to be developed by a Monster Fish Keeper member.