Habitat - Indoor :: Indoor Pond?

[cutepanda86]

I'm sorry. Wish I could help.

[BabyNemo]

I'm sorry. Wish I could help.

It's okay. Thank you for caring.

[brain55]

I have totally started designing an indoor pond set up in my head. I'm thinking I may need to form my own pond out of fiberglass and definitely build my own steel frame and support for the pond and basking area. I'm thinking if I form my own I can build in planting troughs around 3 sides and a beach like ramp for the turtle to get in and out. Not to mention I can incorporate fittings for whatever type filter arrangement I want and a drain along with a molded in light. The bottom part of the frame can enclose the filters and pumps. I would also extend the top up high enough to keep the turtle in and the cats out. I'm pretty sure I can keep it pretty close to 4'x8' with the pond being 3' wide, 4' long, and 2' deep about 180 gallons not counting the ramp, I figure she'd have about a 2'x4' basking area. I may sketch something up later.

Brian

[BabyNemo]

I have totally started designing an indoor pond set up in my head. I'm thinking I may need to form my own pond out of fiberglass and definitely build my own steel frame and support for the pond and basking area. I'm thinking if I form my own I can build in planting troughs around 3 sides and a beach like ramp for the turtle to get in and out. Not to mention I can incorporate fittings for whatever type filter arrangement I want and a drain along with a molded in light. The bottom part of the frame can enclose the filters and pumps. I would also extend the top up high enough to keep the turtle in and the cats out. I'm pretty sure I can keep it pretty close to 4'x8' with the pond being 3' wide, 4' long, and 2' deep about 180 gallons not counting the ramp, I figure she'd have about a 2'x4' basking area. I may sketch something up later.

Brian

Oh wow! Please do! I have a month before I can really start thinking about indoor ponds! I would love to see what you come up with! If you're on a computer you can download google sketch(?) and get like 100-200 minutes free. I use it all the time. It's a bit confusing at first but super helpful. . I may start sketching up some ideas, too. Let me know what you decide!

[cutepanda86]

I'm sorry. Wish I could help.

It's okay. Thank you for caring.

Welcome. Let us know what happens.

Brian - that sounds awesome. I would love to see it.

[brain55]

I have totally started designing an indoor pond set up in my head. I'm thinking I may need to form my own pond out of fiberglass and definitely build my own steel frame and support for the pond and basking area. I'm thinking if I form my own I can build in planting troughs around 3 sides and a beach like ramp for the turtle to get in and out. Not to mention I can incorporate fittings for whatever type filter arrangement I want and a drain along with a molded in light. The bottom part of the frame can enclose the filters and pumps. I would also extend the top up high enough to keep the turtle in and the cats out. I'm pretty sure I can keep it pretty close to 4'x8' with the pond being 3' wide, 4' long, and 2' deep about 180 gallons not counting the ramp, I figure she'd have about a 2'x4' basking area. I may sketch something up later.

Brian

Oh wow! Please do! I have a month before I can really start thinking about indoor ponds! I would love to see what you come up with! If you're on a computer you can download google sketch(?) and get like 100-200 minutes free. I use it all the time. It's a bit confusing at first but super helpful. . I may start sketching up some ideas, too. Let me know what you decide!

Here it is so far. I haven't decided about wheels yet. I also didn't include the 2' high plexiglass sides. The basking area will likely be a slide out tray. I will also use the supports for the plexiglass sides as a way to hang lights. Not sure what I want to do on the other 3 sides yet, Penny is a climber so I have to keep that in mind. Please excuse the drawing, I'm 30 years from my last drafting class. lol

[cutepanda86]

That looks awesome. 30 years since your last drafting class huh? I'd say that your drafting teacher would be very proud. I'm an engineer who can't draw a straight line with a ruler (thanks goodness for AutoCAD, lol)

[BabyNemo]

That looks really good! I can't wait to see it progress!

[brain55]

I'm not sure what to do about a filter either. I assumed I'd use a Fluval FX6, but they recommend the filter be completely under the tank. I'd prefer it to be on the same plane under the basking area.

I've started researching fiberglass and making the form. This should be interesting. I've worked with fiberglass before, but on a much smaller scale.

The metal frame is the part I'm most comfortable with. I just need to decide how strong I need to make it. It will need to support near 2000 pounds. I may make it in two pieces so it is easier to manage and bolt it together around the pond.

There are still plenty of details to work out.

Brian

[Kansasslider]

Yes there will be filter issues if the pond is not higher than the filter. I had to build an 8" platform for my stock tank and still have the output nozzles close to the top of the tank so it will purge.

[BabyNemo]

You should start a build thread! We don't have enough of them!

[Kansasslider]

Like this? Its locked?

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31007

[brain55]

You should start a build thread! We don't have enough of them!

I will likely start a thread just for this, as soon I'm sure it's going to happen. It's a huge time and financial investment. I expect I'll end up with close to $1000 in materials not counting whatever I figure out for filtration.

Brian

[BabyNemo]

Like this? Its locked?

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31007

I mean he should start his own. Not a lot of people document their builds. I've looked through all of them. I'm excited for a new one!

[steve]

If you're going to form your own pond, I'd make the filter integrated into it. I'd also consider some substrate for the basking area if it's large and deep enough. And Stacy, that thread was supposed to be a managed one... never had time to go into it further, but will eventually.