please help w/recs for 4000gal+ tank

[Worm]

first of all, this is 2-3 yrs down the road, but i thought i'd start a little planning now

will probably be FOWLR b/c of the fish i would like to have, but i will definitely consider adding corals if they were only sampled and not destroyed by my pets

here is a rough sketch so far:

tank 6x6x16' cement w/glass vs acrylic front(this is where i need the most help; i have no idea on the best materials for a tank this large)
1000 gal sump
4000 lbs rock
4000 lbs southdown sand
lighting
6-8 400-1000W MHs (does pfo have 1000W?)
9 icecap 660s w 27 5' vho actinics
lighting will be in rows:
3x5' vhos/3-4mhs/3x5' vhos/3-4mhs/3x5' vhos
3 3HP pumps rated for ~30,000 gph (?brands)
hope to achieve 4x turnover after headloss
2 large skimmers w/pumps (?brands)
2 large Ca reactors for coralline(?brands)
PVC/eggcrate structure

livestock:
Tangs: 5 purple,5 powderblue,1 sohal,2 nasos
2 Moorish idols(and i will only try 2)
Butterflies: 2 semilarvatus, 1 copperband
Wrasses: 1 red coris, 1 lunare
1 lionfish(antennata vs radiata vs volitans)
20-30 green chromis
Anthias: 6 of 1 type,6 of another(undecided)
Angels: 2 emperors,2 regal(will only try 2),
2 majestics,5 flames
1 blue spotted ray

i hope to have 1" per 10 gallons since these will be large fish for the most part

any and all suggestions/recommendations/criticisms are welcomed and appreciated

tia for your help,
worm

[ August 23, 2001: Message edited by: Worm ]

[ August 23, 2001: Message edited by: Worm ]

 

[davelin315]

There was a guy who posted a thread on some obnoxious guestbook entry he got on his site last week or so. He had a 4000 gallon tank made of concrete and a thick chunk of acrylic or glass. He had a picture of him swimming in it in a wetsuit. I can't remember the site, but he's got details on his construction etc. on the site, so if you can find it, check it out.

 

[Worm]

thanks, dave...i've seen his site and spoke w/him but i was also looking to get differnt opinions re a similar set-up

thanks again,
worm

 

[bigtank]

The lionfish will chomp on the chromises and maybe the flame angels. I would get a dwarf lion instead.

I think one large skimmer would be better than 2 smaller ones. Precision Marine, AquaC, and some other companies build custom skimmers. A tank that size would need at least a 6' tall, 12" diameter son of a gun IMO.

This setup will cost more than the average car.

 

[Worm]

thanks, bigtank

i realize the price will be hefty, but we do o.k., and i don't plan on buying an expensive 3rd not so necessary car, i don't spend money on much else..no other expensive hobbies and my house won't be huge but the fish tank/fish room will be nice sized

i've thought about the lion 'chompin' but i've never had one eat small fish yet as long as the small fish are mobile and i keep the lion fed..if he does chomp, then he will have to go

thanks again for the reply

anyone else?

worm

 

[outerbank]

You made be able to get some information from talking to a local public aquarium or Sea World. There is a nice public aquarium here in Corpus Christi. Maybe they could tell you who built their stuff, how thick it is, what type of problems they have with aggression, etc.

I would rather have yellow tangs than the purple, but just MO. You will have a lot of blue/blue-green fish in the tank. You gotta buy some clowns! And several pairs of mandarins and other hard to keep live food eaters and wrasses. The tank would easily support them. Also, a T. Gigas clam!!

Scott

 

[Veng68]

Kind of small

j/k

Good luck with it

Cheers,
Veng68

 

[95galReef]

Here's something to think about...Whatever fish you put in that tank you ain't getting out(It's hard enough catching one in a small tank with live rock). I would like to know if you currently have a tank running? Because if you don't, you might want to get a smaller one running first so you can get familiar with the time and work involved (It could quickly turn into a full time job).

 

[Spikehs]

Hey,

Sounds like it'll be amazing when its up! i was just wondering what the site was of the guy who had the 4000gal tank as i would like to take a look at it! thanks and good luck!

 

[Anonymous]

www.mr4000.com

 

[Worm]

i currently have a 180..i understand the work involved, which, with my system, is minimal..i realize that it would be extremely difficult removing a fish..hopefully that won't be much of an issue..if they fight, hopefully they will have room to make peace

i would have a continuous top-off and i probably wouldn't do much in the way of water changes...cleaning glass/acrylic front would hopefully be my most frequent and most time consuming job

the clowns is a good idea..i hadn't planned on them originally b/c i also plan to keep a smaller reef as well, but they would look good in a large tank with larger fish..mandarins also..i have a pair now in my 180 and i do get a lot of compliments on them come to think of it..

anyone else?

 

[outerbank]

Man, this project sounds great!

I would also consider a kole tang to help with algae and to clean the glass. I had one that loved to eat algae off the glass.

I have also heard that foxface are good algae eaters.

Just a thought. The more fish you have that will eat the annoying algae the better. FWIW, my PB tang eats most algae so a school of them may do the job fairly well. Also, add a couple queen conchs to this sucker.

Make sure it has proper ventilation for the evaporated water and heat. I am not sure how much heat is a problem with this size tank, but if it isn't taken into account prior to setting up, then the bigger problem it will be if present after set up. My friend's 400 gallon tank (small compared to yours) gets way too hot. He has corrected this with its own dedicated window air conditioner, a large fan, and limiting the time the lights are on.

A reef safe trigger may be neat too. Just taking a risk with some of the smaller fish.

I would think you could catch a problematic carnivore with a hook and bait.

Scott

 

[JohnD]

Worm,

I think you have your work cut out for you, but hell, that's what hobbies are all about. I think you are very wise to start to ask questions now.

I second Outbanks' comment about asking public aquariums questions regarding the construction and maintenance of their systems. I think you need to go there because a tank of the size you are contemplating is out of most board members' league. It is certainly out of my league, unless of course I win the next round of PowerBall!!

Please keep us posted concerning your progress.

 

[GobieWanKenobie]

Listen to the Cheese and contact www.mr4000.com . he has a HUGE tank and I am sure he would love to help you out.

 

[GobieWanKenobie]

Oops, sorry, I am kind of slow....

 

[bradwent]

I read a chat session with MR4000 and he stated that when he set up his 4k tank there was only 2? other tanks like his, in private residences, and he thought that one of them was in Germany. It appeared that he didn't have much to go on in that respect. I would agree about requesting info from some of the public aquarium sites for such a large set-up. If you are interested in viewing that chat session, it can be located at: http://www.msnusers.com/MarineandReefAquariumsII&naventryid=145

Good luck and it sounds like it will be lots-o-$$$$$

bradwent

 

[Worm]

i would really like suggestion as to livestock..what would you put in a tank this size?

thanks again,
worm

 

[Spikehs]

Maybe if you can get the correct male to female ratio a harem of flame angels would be cool...as well banggai cardinals cause everybody loves em

 

[Anonymous]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Worm:
<STRONG>i would really like suggestion as to livestock..what would you put in a tank this size?

thanks again,
worm</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


A school of tangs.

 

[troels]

Actually there must be more than two tanks of that size on private hands.. Here's a link to a 5000+ gallon (20.000 Liter) tank (in Danish) http://www.saltvandssiden.dk/birger_kim_rylander.htm