Habitat - Indoor :: Indoor pond build

[brain55]

The idea spawned from another thread that had a picture of an elaborate indoor habitat. It was built around a nice plastic pond liner. The problem with irregular shaped pond liners is that they are difficult to support so the sides don't deform. I've seen stock tanks do it too.

The design constraint that I'm trying to adhere to, is that I don't want it any bigger than 4' x 8', for the whole habitat, and the "pond" needs to be at least 2' deep. Ideally I'd like to be able to move it on wheels, I'm finding that may be easier said than done, the reality is that the whole unit filled with water, the steel frame, and the basking area substrate (pool sand most likely) will weigh near 2000 lbs, though I don't expect to move it while it's full. I'd also like to make the basking area so that it can be a slide out tray, weight may make this unreasonable.

I'm sure at this point I'm going to build my own tank out of fiberglass, depending on the final design and depth of the tank, it will likely be between 150 and 200 gallons. Originally I figured I'd use a Fluval FX6 filter, with my design parameters this won't work because the FX6 needs to be under the pond to work properly and that isn't practical. The filter is one of the first things that needs to be determined to properly plumb the tank and incorporate the proper fittings into it, it also determines the height of the framework around the pond.

Currently I'm looking at this http://www.thepondoutlet.com/home/tpo/page_1324_266/ultima_ii_cyclonic_filter_by_aqua_ultraviolet.html filter. It has an overall height of 27" and 15" diameter and has a max flow of 1400 gph. I will also need a pump and a UV sterilizer, so it gets close to $1000 real fast, but I like the back-flushing capability and no filter pads to change.

I guess right now I'm looking for thoughts on the filter and/or any other ideas people may have.

I will continue to post design thoughts and other info in this thread.

Brian

[ljapa]

Have you considered pumping up to a filter above and creating a waterfall back down?

You could extend the pond under the basking area. Create two walls between that area and the main pond, with holes to allow water flow. You put a large sponge or some type of mechanical filter media.

Pump from that area into a container above the tank filled with bio media and create a waterfall back into the end opposite the basking area. Submersible pumps are cheap. I've had a Rio 1400+ going on my refugium for two years next month that cost me $35.

Now, that's only 480gph, but I also have an FX6, upgraded from a Fluval 406.

The disadvantage I see for this design, though, is you've got nothing pulling stuff from the bottom.

[brain55]

The disadvantage I see for this design, though, is you've got nothing pulling stuff from the bottom.

That's the best part about this part of the design phase, I can do whatever I want. If the best way is a bottom suction set-up I can do that. I can mold in whatever wherever. It was one of the questions I was going to ask too. Where is the best place to pull from? I was thinking I'd have a couple inches of pool sand at the bottom and draw from a little above that from the side or one end, but if a bottom suction is better maybe I'll go with larger river rock.

I thought about a waterfall and that type of filter too. It definitely complicates the design and build.

Brian

[ljapa]

Pulling from just above sand will definitely be better than pulling from the bottom with river rock.

[brain55]

Pulling from just above sand will definitely be better than pulling from the bottom with river rock.

That's kind of what I figured. The next question is how to plumb it, 12-1400 gph is a lot of water movement. I'm sure I'd want some kind of diffuser on the inlet side into the "pond" and more than one pick up on the suction side. I want to efficiently get rid of whatever debris without agitating the substrate. The waterfall is probably a nice way to do it. I think I may have to reevaluate that, Outdoors would be easier, much more difficult with the way I initially envisioned the setup. I figured on having a 2' high plexiglass enclosure around the habitat. I guess on one end, or even corner I could fabricate some sort of waterfall like feature. Real rock would be difficult, I'm envisioning some kind of molded rock formation to guide the water back into the pond. Still maybe more complex than needed.

I'd sure like to hear from the guys with indoor stock tank set-ups to see what their experiences are, and how they would do things now, starting from scratch.

Brian

[steve]

I don't think anyone on here has made a fiberglass tank, so I'm kind of excited

In a dark colored tank, sand will really make things more visible. Throw in a few river rock to complement the natural colors. Casters on the tank can be tricky, my brother offered that when he made my tank stand. We went with adjustable feet instead.

Could the stand be raised a 12-18"? That way you can use the canister plus have some storage space. It'll also be a bit easier to get the turtles out or net out poop and stuff.

[brain55]

Building the tank should be interesting. It's going to be complex and use a lot of material. Tap recommends that anything over 75 gallons be 1/2" thick. There's likely no way I can do it in one day, not to mention wanting to mold certain features in as I go. I've been all over the map on tank color too, from swimming pool blue to tan, even a dark brown or black. I will definitely be using food grade resin to limit the out gassing of the solvents.

As far as the deck height, 40" is about as high as I want to go. I'm only 5'-4" and the wife is only 5', so our reach is limited.

I think I worked out the diffuser/waterfall in my mind and how incorporate it into the wall of the tank. It does complicate things but not as much as the water feature type waterfall I had originally pictured.

Brian

[BabyNemo]

I'm glad you decided to do this! Yay! Am staying tuned in to this thread.

[brain55]

My daughter is concerned that I'll build this big tank/habitat and find out Penny can't swim. She says she scoots more than she swims. The water in her tank right now is just over 7" deep, so she can stick her head out of the water anytime she wants. She does swim when I feed her the dried fish or shrimp, like she's sneaking up on them. She underwater basks a lot too. I'm thinking I may want a ledge for her to hang out on, or actually the ramp I'm planning may fit that bill. The musings of a guy who only wants to build this once.

Brian

[steve]

Penny's probably a great swimmer. They're surprisingly fast. A ledge or an underwater level that she can stand on is a good idea.

[brain55]

Started acquiring stuff today to start making the form for the tank. I will chop and section these mixing tubs to get the right size "pond" bottom and the upper lip, then use some other plastic sheeting to connect the bottom to the lip. The bottom will be fastened to a sheet of plywood and I will make a 2" x 2" frame to support the upper lip and form while I'm laying the fiberglass. I still need to figure out what filter and pump arrangement I'm going to use and how I'm going to plumb it.

[brain55]

Started trimming buckets for the mold today. I'm going to need more. The bottom right now is 26" x 40". I'd like it to be closer to 36" x 54", but it's a good start. I got the wood for the mold support frame too. I'll cut these in half horizontally so I have an upper lip, I'll use some of the cut-offs for that also.

[brain55]

The plan is coming together more and more in my head as I go. I'm pretty sure I have the pump suction and filter return figured out. Not sure if I can explain it well enough verbally, I may need to draw some more pictures. I've decided against a waterfall and will return the water underneath the ramp, mostly for noise reasons. My current tank set-up has a 400 gph pump/filter with a waterfall so to speak. I can't imagine what the noise could be like tripling or quadrupling the output. Originally this tank was going to be about 180 gallons, now with some minor tweaks it will be closer to 260 gallons. I better hurry and get started laying fiberglass before this thing gets to 500 gallons

I sure wish the pond supply stores around here had better selection, or that there were more stores. Two of the local suppliers are online only, and don't have store fronts, and it seems like there are a few that are no longer in business (casualties of the economy).

Maybe I'll get a chance to make some more progress today.

Brian

[steve]

You can have the water return under water and add a air stone for aeration. Sounds like it's going great, thanks for the updates!

[brain55]

Hmmmm, why the aeration? Is the amount you need determined by volume? Excuse all the questions. I'm just trying to learn.

Brian