large aquarium

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Nov 20, 2005 | 03:30 PM

gotdiesel

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Joined: Feb 2004

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From: Lamesa,Texas

large aquarium

Looking to build or buy a large aquarium to place in our new house. It will be fresh water. We are going to use the aquarium to separate the kitchen and dining room so we are thinking some where around 6 or 7 feet long. Most I have found in that length are in the 300-400 gallon range. They are also pretty expensive. Just wondering what yall thought about building one or buying one. What should it be made of or where should I purchase one? thanks for your help

Nov 20, 2005 | 05:15 PM

jake00

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Joined: Apr 2004

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From: NW burbs of chicago

I don;t know if I'd trust my skills to keep 400 gals off the floor...I'd start at tyhe local petshop, or search online for custom aquariums

Nov 20, 2005 | 09:19 PM

Aftrmidnite

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2003

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Check www.all-glass.com I've had aquariums for over 40 years, built a few. You can buy an aquarium cheaper than you can build one. You will end up with a warrantied safe tank. Also you can figure a weight of 4000 lbs to 4400 lbs for a tank thats 400 gallon. Thats over two tons, even a standard concrete floor will need a reinforced pad poured over the floor, for a tank that size. Wood floor, you'll need a structural engineer.

Nov 20, 2005 | 09:37 PM

1979 Ford

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2005

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From: Not as far west as I want

All Glass makes a great aquarium. I think the largest all-glass is 180 gallons. 6 feet long. The biggest concearn is weight. I have a 125 gallon in my store, we keep the large fish in there. The stand that holds it up is 6 4x4's and 2x6" cross pieces. Anything larger that that and the price of the filter system (s) gets to be fairly expensive.

They also make an aquarium with pre-drilled holes to route the plumbing under the aquarium, then it looks good from both sides.
The advantage to a larger aquarium they are easier to maintain.

Nov 20, 2005 | 11:39 PM

DOHCmarauder

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From: Las Vegas

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A 6-7' long tank would be have to be pretty deep and wide to be 400 gallons. I have the formula somewhere but our 6' X 2' x 14" is around 90 gallons.

The replacement we want to do is a 10' X 2' x 2' and it's only 300 gallons.

As far as weight goes.........I respectfully disagree concerning a concrete slab. A 3000# tank will be excerting a lot LESS PSI than a 3000# car......taking in to account the total area that's touching the actual slab.

Things we've been researching.........2'-2 1/2' deep is about the limit for depth if you don't want to take a bath cleaning it.

The overflow mentioned above is a must to keep the equipment remote and the tank clutter free.

We're torn on glass vs. acrylic.......glass is nearly scratch proof but has as an actual life concerning failure.........about 10 years.

Acrylic is stronger and more forgiving and can be made into some cool shapes.

New construction? bring a water supply and drain to the aquarium location.

Anyway, my wife is into the salt water reef tanks heavy and she has been working/researching endlessly concerning our next aquarium.....

Last edited by DOHCmarauder; Nov 20, 2005 at 11:41 PM.

Nov 20, 2005 | 11:42 PM

gtex

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Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 6,175

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From: Texas

I used to have a 135 gallon salt water setup. Keep in mind that the weight of the aquarium alone can be staggering. It required 4 guys just to move my 135 gallon aqaurium bone dry and empty of anything. Stepping up to a 300-400 gallon tank will probably require even thicker glass, so the tank alone could be a real challeng to move.

I think I will eventually have another very large aquarium. But it will wait until I have a house that can accomodate it. A water supply and drain should be nearby!

Nov 21, 2005 | 04:37 AM

OKMIC1

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 572

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From: Mustang, Oklahoma

These guys make some big tanks. It'll probably be cheaper and less headache to just buy one.

http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=2

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Nov 21, 2005 | 04:19 PM

Aztrainer

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Joined: Sep 2003

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From: Valley of the Sun AZ

I used to work in a pets store and sold aquariums, so here is my opinions.

1. Remember that each gallon of water weighs 8.3lbs so a 100-gallon aquarium is going to weigh in at 830lbs of water alone. Now if you add rocks and other items you are going to be pushing close to 900 lbs.

2. Glass is the leader in aquariums as they are extremely sturdy, but they are heavy. A 6-foot long aquarium is about 100 gallons and (If my back remembers correctly) they weigh about 130lbs. so weight is up to 1030lbs. They leak from time to time due to the silicone rotting/drying out.

3. Acrylic is a lot lighter (I can lift my 55 gallon tank with one hand, 30lbs) The down side is that it scratches a lot easier than glass and needs to be cleaned with special. It will not leak as the seams are chemically sealed.

If I was you I would find one that is professionally made and that there is someone to stand behind his or her quality of work. I would never attempt to construct a tank that big as I would be too paranoid that I did not completely sealed the tank and discover it as they drywall sluffs off on the construction.