Well Im finally going to get around to it. Ive been designing this beauty in my head for a while now. Its not technically a pond but its a see into above ground pond like they have at aquariums. Since I am in North Florida we actually have winter here. Therefore the tank will be build out of 2 by 4 and plywood and insulated just like a house. Then the space will be lined with a pond liner and one side will have half inch 4'2' tempered glass with the liner cemented to it. The lid will be 6' by 3' doors on top with plexiglass tops to allow sunlight in but to limit heat loss in the winer and to limit evaporation of water. I will begin building soon (need paycheck). As far as external aesthetics everything on the outside, except for the glass, will be sprayed with Rustoleums sweet stone surface spray. Finally found a use for that stuff.
Saltwater Pond
- Thread starter blackcloudmedia
- Start date
Im trying to post a picture but my computers being a *****. The dimentions are as follows: 6 foot by 6 foot by 3 foot interior space= Approx 760 gallons.
It will weigh approximately 3 tonnes. I will need 15 bags of Instant Ocean sand. I will need LOTS of calcium and strontium and all the usual crap that we spend our money one lol. I will be making my own live sand using play sand (I know about contaminants dont worry) Since theres no way in hell Im buying 3000 dollars worth of sand.
It will weigh approximately 3 tonnes. I will need 15 bags of Instant Ocean sand. I will need LOTS of calcium and strontium and all the usual crap that we spend our money one lol. I will be making my own live sand using play sand (I know about contaminants dont worry) Since theres no way in hell Im buying 3000 dollars worth of sand.
You could try making your own salt mix.
Calcium chloride, baking soda, and magnesium chloride/epson salts are all you need to maintain calcium/alk/magnesium.
Calcium chloride is used by redimix cement companies to harder cement in winter. It cost (about two years ago) $22 for 50 pounds. I had to order a 50 pound bag of magnesium chloride from up north and it was $55 with shipping. It would have only been $19/bag if I had ordered a pallet of like 48 bags or so.
You can use simple play sand and filter the water with crushed oyster shells to help buffer calcium.
and of course common landscape rocks. Limestone rocks are quarried here for $20/ton.
From what I hear it is best to bury ponds like 18" or so to get below the frost line.
Just some ramblings
and .02
Calcium chloride, baking soda, and magnesium chloride/epson salts are all you need to maintain calcium/alk/magnesium.
Calcium chloride is used by redimix cement companies to harder cement in winter. It cost (about two years ago) $22 for 50 pounds. I had to order a 50 pound bag of magnesium chloride from up north and it was $55 with shipping. It would have only been $19/bag if I had ordered a pallet of like 48 bags or so.
You can use simple play sand and filter the water with crushed oyster shells to help buffer calcium.
and of course common landscape rocks. Limestone rocks are quarried here for $20/ton.
From what I hear it is best to bury ponds like 18" or so to get below the frost line.
Just some ramblings
and .02
Yea Ive always read about burying ponds to maintain temperature but I have a 3 foot deep catfish pond already, thats where Im getting the liner from, and if you were to sit in it right now you would get purple nurples...not exactly reef temps. Im of course going to keep a couple of heaters in this pond.
What's the black thing on your license plate? :lol:
I'm sure it doesn't get as cold there as it does here (you might still have problems), and it is always easier to heat up water than it is to cool it. So, what are you doing to keep it cool when the 100F weather hits? And are you keep the top closed all of the time?
And what are you plans for inhabitants of the lagoon?
I'm sure it doesn't get as cold there as it does here (you might still have problems), and it is always easier to heat up water than it is to cool it. So, what are you doing to keep it cool when the 100F weather hits? And are you keep the top closed all of the time?
And what are you plans for inhabitants of the lagoon?
lol, thats my "dont steal my car black spot. I placed the tank in a position of the yard where it will only recieve direct sunlight from dawn to 1 PM. I will remove the covers to remove heat. Basically Im going to have to monitor this beist closely. Ive realized its more of a tank than a pond but oh well. Im not stocking it yet until Im sure the paremeters will be stable.
Attachments
Well, I don't know anything about outdoor saltwater ponds, buy I look forward to following your thread. Sounds like fun.
I do have one question: How are you going to keep rainwater out of your pond. Lots of rain would drop your salinity and potentially be disastrous. Rainwater would likely have lots of contaminants too.
Louey
I do have one question: How are you going to keep rainwater out of your pond. Lots of rain would drop your salinity and potentially be disastrous. Rainwater would likely have lots of contaminants too.
Louey
Yea I am a little concerned about the framing. Im working on the psi calculations to see the stress on the individual joints. Lucky me my dads an engineer. The lids will be sealed and have plexiglass to allow sunlight in. But the lids will keep the rain out. Im trying to keep everything stable.
My only problem though is what to do for lighting.........lol. I have this sweet new thing here in Florida, its nuclear fusion....its the perfect spectrum....and its free....best of all it comes with its own timing system and everything!!!!
<p>
But in all seriousness the only thing Im concerned with is the fact that I used non presure treated wood. I guess I will see how long it takes to rot. lol. If I notice any problems in a few months Ill dissassemlbe it and rebuild with pressure treated wood. Best of all since I already had the liner and plexiglass I havent spent more than 200 dollars on it yet.
<p>
But in all seriousness the only thing Im concerned with is the fact that I used non presure treated wood. I guess I will see how long it takes to rot. lol. If I notice any problems in a few months Ill dissassemlbe it and rebuild with pressure treated wood. Best of all since I already had the liner and plexiglass I havent spent more than 200 dollars on it yet.
In Canada here, I buy chemicals from UNIVAR for making my own salt water.
To make approximately 32 gallons I use.
2240g or 5 lb 4.4 oz sodium chloride (Crystal Plus water softener salt)
1152g or 2 lb 5.7 oz magesium chloride hexahydrate (not anhydrous)
401g or 14.12 oz sodium sulphate anhydrous
160g or 5.11 oz calcium chloride flake 77-80% (not anyhydrous)
10.8g or .38 oz sodium bicarbonate and bake 1 hr at 300F
The "not anhydrous" notation is just to remind me that the calculations for those particular chems are taking into account they are the "contain water" weights, not the pure chems as the original formula gives.
This was adapted from a recipie inChemical Oceanography by Frank Millero.
Now, if you want to see pics of an outdoor pond in South Africa, keep in mind the rocks are artificial and the whole system is also plumbed to his indoor tank.
HENRY'S POND
To make approximately 32 gallons I use.
2240g or 5 lb 4.4 oz sodium chloride (Crystal Plus water softener salt)
1152g or 2 lb 5.7 oz magesium chloride hexahydrate (not anhydrous)
401g or 14.12 oz sodium sulphate anhydrous
160g or 5.11 oz calcium chloride flake 77-80% (not anyhydrous)
10.8g or .38 oz sodium bicarbonate and bake 1 hr at 300F
The "not anhydrous" notation is just to remind me that the calculations for those particular chems are taking into account they are the "contain water" weights, not the pure chems as the original formula gives.
This was adapted from a recipie inChemical Oceanography by Frank Millero.
Now, if you want to see pics of an outdoor pond in South Africa, keep in mind the rocks are artificial and the whole system is also plumbed to his indoor tank.
HENRY'S POND
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