Habitat - Indoor :: new habitat build

[zclark]

Yes I'm new but no stranger to DIY stuff. I just recently discovered this forum and would like to document my build here. My build is also documented on another forum (not sure of rules regarding linking to other forums so I will not do it until I know) but it revolves around fish. This tank will measure 10'Lx6'Dx6'T and house 7 turtles. tank will be made of wood with pond shield to waterproof it. This tank will also house LARGE fish such as adonis pleco, sailfin pleco, various cats, and my personal favorite 7 arowana, along with numerous cray fish and snails that can be snacked on. I will possibly be including some bass and bluegill after getting clarification on local laws and having fish native to the area. I will be constructing my bar at the same time and will be incorporated into the tank by viewing windows. (Disclaimer: I DO NOT APPROVE OF UNDERAGE DRINKING AND WILL NOT SUPPORT SUCH ACTIVITY. ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 THAT COMMENTS ABOUT THEIR FAVORITE DRINKS, ETC. WILL BE REPORTED TO MODS TO HAVE COMMENT REMOVED) Now that that is out of the way is it acceptable to post my bar build on this forum as it has direct ties to my tank build?
Here is a drawing of the wall facing the tank where my "wet pets" will be visible

[steve]

Yea, I don't think we care about linking to other turtle sites (we're mainly against referral and spam sites). The initial sketch seems incredible, I'm not even sure where I would begin on such a project!

[zclark]

Here is a link to my other build thread. LOTS more info on that one. A lot of the guys over there have helped solve a lot of the issues with structural integrity and what not.
http://diyfishkeepers.com/forum/showthr ... p-this-one
There are more detailed drawings and some cad images to give a better idea of what it'll look like.

[steve]

Interesting thread, you really have them hooked!

If the water level is mid-way though your viewing glass, you will get some stains there... mostly skin and some waste. The build up will be gradual since you have a tremendous amount of water but it will be unsightly. How will you access the tank? A lot of use like to have some contact time with our turts.

[zclark]

My turtles HATE being touched. I will be adding in a ladder on the back side to climb in and out of the tank. I will have overflows similar to surface skimmers found in pools to keep debris from building up on the glass. Also will be using RO water at 75 gallons per day for water changes with dosing pumps to add back in the required trace elements to avoid the hard water deposits on the glass. I will have 2 magnetic glass cleaners to keep the glass clean in between every other month dives to scrub the aquarium.

[steve]

I've heard some magnetic cleaners might leaves scratches, so I'd be extra careful. This will be in a basement?

[zclark]

Correct. I use mag-float brand on all my tanks between full cleanings and they only scratch if sand gets under them. I will have no substrate in this tank. I'll be using this to waterproof it: http://www.pondarmor.com/shop/pond-shie ... quart-kit/

[steve]

Any reason not to have any substrate? It could be beneficial in larger tanks.

[zclark]

Mostly the weight. The water alone will weigh almost 23,000lbs. Also I feel substrate is mostly decoration and you won't be able to see much of the bottom with the window placements. I will have PLENTY of bio media in the filter. The sump will be 3 55 gallon drums with 2 for nothing but bio filtration and the last for heaters and a bit of reserve water in case I lose my drip system for a good amount of time. I'll be dripping 75gpd of RO water and using dosing pumps to replace the trace elements they need to survive. I'll have an overflow in the sump to allow all the old water to flow down the drain. This will also help with algae growth. I'm using RO due to my city water not being the best quality water. There are higher than desired levels of metals like copper that can kill my inverts quickly. Also we have very hard water here so the RO will minimize staining. I'll be splitting the RO unit to also fill another barrel for my salt tanks.

[zclark]

I figure It's time for an update on this monster build.
10'Lx6'Wx6'D

Here is 2 views of the back of the tank showing the plumbing. Drains are 4" pvc


This view is of the basking area. I provided 2 sand boxes since I will have 5 females eventually in this tank. Also have a market for the turtles and a planned grow out tank for hatchlings. The platform under the basking platform is 6" below water level giving a shallow area for turtles to rest on and still be able to breathe.

as stated before I will be running a drip system on this tank to eliminate the need for water changes. The excess water will flow to the small barrel on the side where a sump pump will pump it to a drain line that runs directly over the room this will be in. There is also a cold water supply I can tap in to so I can run my drip system. I will be sealing the room off with plastic and using programmable fans to carry humid air outside and draw dry air in from the house. The challenges I've had to face on the design of this tank are complicated. Mostly what material will hold this much water without going over my $3500 budget for this project. As it stands I'm still under budget since I'll be doing all work myself.

[steve]

Wow, that thing looks incredible. I'm not sure how it will all work, but I'm looking forward to it!

[devilduck]

That is going to be amazing!

[zclark]

What do you mean by how it will all work?

[MichaelGirl]

I am so excited to see this tank come to life. I have done all of the drawings and the cad designs for this tank. I will also be housing my 2 Yellow Belly Sliders in this tank.

[steve]

What do you mean by how it will all work?

I mean seeing it work together, just the mechanics of such a big project. What materials are you going to use?