Anyone have a big tank project on the go?

[Izzydawg]

....or in the plans?:smash:

We will be starting our 5000 gallon tank late spring- early summer. It's gonna take a while as we are building it in an addition on our house.
We are still in the planning stages, we have four sizes picked out, but still working it into the floorplans of the house, and that will decide which size is going to work...
( Note that the 6" walls have not been subtracted from the gallons)

16'x8'x6' = 5745 gal
16'x7'x6' = 5027 gal
17'x8'x6' = 6104 gal
17'x7'x6' = 5341 gal

-We are using 2- 4'x8'x1" sheets of plexiglass for the viewing windows and the reat of the tank will be built with reinforced concrete.
-Reinforced concrete will be 6" thick
-Hot water lines will run through the concrete base to heat the tank ( heat rises), circulating through a hot water tank set to temp.
-Incomming freshwater for filling the tank during maintenance will be running through an in line water heater set to temp.
-4 drains on the bottom plumbed to valves will allow me to remove water from the tank, taking grime from the gravel (just like siphoning, but from the bottom).

This will be our biggest project besides building our own home, can't wait to get started:icon_woot:

[biggs]

Holy Smokes!!!! Document the building of it here!! We'd all LOVE to see that!

ps....when can we move in? ;)

[Lyretail Sword Lady]

Does a fish room count with a tank condo????

[Izzydawg]

I will definately be posting the whole way through with lots of pics:icon_woot:

I was devistated to see some very poor fishkeeping yesterday, and theis has gotten me motivated even more to make room for others. I only wish I had room for the ones I saw:argue:, but everything takes time.

[PiscesGirl]

I will definately be posting the whole way through with lots of pics:icon_woot:

I was devistated to see some very poor fishkeeping yesterday, and theis has gotten me motivated even more to make room for others. I only wish I had room for the ones I saw:argue:, but everything takes time.

Poor fishkeeping where? Any possibility of rescue?

[Izzydawg]

At a lfs... an emaciated oscar..
He was so skinny that his head bones were sticking out!
First they said that he wouldn't eat cause his friend was sold ( an 8" oscar and a 2" oscar in a 20 gal tank....come on!)and that he would only eat bloodworms.
Then one of the other staff members said he was beat up by that other oscar...thus the broken fin (it bent close to the flesh every time he moved it)
Then the first staff member said she didn't know that's all he would eat, and that he hasn't eaten for a couple of days.

We told them what we thought about all this, and that we know a lot about oscars, and that there's no way he should look this rough from only missing a couple of feedings.


To top it off, just before we left, the fish room attendant asked us what she should do to get him better:argue:

[PiscesGirl]

what's the minimum tank size needed for him? and can he be kept alone?

[TKD]

45-55 and yes they can be solo.

[Izzydawg]

The solo guys get real friendly;)

...and sorry for going off topic, but that kind of thing really disturbes me...and I sure wish I had room for him, I tried to think of a spot to put him, but I just finished saving another baby oscar from almost the same scenario:(
As of now I have 7 oscars, thus the big tank, when this sucker is done I won't have to hesitate about having room.
Still working on the plans...when I get them finalized I will post the plans:icon_woot:

....and still trying to find a way to get that guy, maybe I should get him here, then ask forgivness when he comes home to find no couches left, and a tank in it's place......AH hahahahaha

[dymndgyrl]

So, Izzydawg, are you planning this 5000g tank to be sort of a home for rescued fish or unwanted fish that have outgrown their previous owners tanks?

(I would love to do that!) Can't wait to see pics of the construction.

Cheers,
C.

[Lyretail Sword Lady]

Shawn should be done building my fish room by the end of the week. If he still needs a temp home until you are ready, I'll be able to take him in. I don't know anything about them though. I'd need some help to foster until your ready for him. I'd love to help him sooner, but I need the space as well. That's very frustrating. You're a good person for caring!!!

[Newtious]

im an oscar lover.. i have a 90 gal with only one 9" oscar.. kinda territorial though.. but im moving the tank today and can put in a divider where is this guy at i think im gonna go nab him im almost teary eyed thinkin about the poor little guy send me a pm!!! but i gotta admit the fact that the person asked for your help (gotta swallow some pride to do that) goes a little ways its one thing to be uninformed its another to be ignorant with a shortage of "skilled" employees everywhere id almost be happier if some of the LFS hiked fish prices to afford atlest one knowledgeable staff member

[Izzydawg]

This little guy is in Salmon Arm:(

[Izzydawg]

I did plan on doing the fish rescue thing...CA/SA cichlids in the big tank...and that will free up room in the other tanks for others too:icon_woot: There is always large ones to give away or in desperate need of a loving home.

[Newtious]

its too bad hes in salmon arm well mind u i might be up there friday.. my uncle bought a little store/bar/restrauant/hosue out in silver creek... too bad the drive and ferry are sooo long poor guy would loose his marbles going on a trip like that.. :S most of all if hes in that bad of shape :S