10ft tall cylindrical reef tank?
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StaircasetoHeaven
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Yes I will keep an open mind.
StaircasetoHeaven
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New concept is to have two semi-circle tanks. To give illusion of one single tall cylindrical tank penetrating the wall between the staircase and the living room. The tank in the staircase would actually be a bit taller to span the height of the tall external rectangular windows and because of the maintenance difficulties would have fake coral along the flat side, and the half tank in the living room I am hoping would be live reef. Honestly one of the things I loved most about my previous reef, was seeing new things come out (some good, some not so) from the rocks and sand which is missing in a fake coral tank. One of the questions I will have for tank builder coming tomorrow is about having the water/equipment shared between the two tanks. I am not sure if this would increase cleaning needed in the artificial reef tank. I think sharing equipment/water would keep costs lower than having two duplicate sets of equipment.
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Okay - but now you have another issue. With a "half" cylinder that deep, how do you do maintenance? It was going to extremely challenging in the 4' or 5' cylinder already.
StaircasetoHeaven
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Yes it is a challenge for sure. Is it possible to use a scraper on an extension pole to satisfactorily clean? I think the live reef side is the side that presents the real challenges to clean and light. I do not want to get into the tank even if that is possible. I think even with drain grates around the tank, it still will make a mess and eventually ruin flooring. I think the living room side semi-circular tank would could be approximately 7.5 ft tall, leaving about 30" space to ceiling for room to clean with a telescoping scraper. I do think lighting from the top and from both sides could possibly provide adequate light to keep a reef alive. There is no absolute requirement that the living room tank be 7.5' other than the fact that the taller, the more impressive.
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I think magnetic scrapers can get you a long way if careful, but the bigger issues are actually placing and moving things or picking up dropped things, etc.
7.5 feet of tank (lets call it 6' to the bottom even) and a 30" clearance don't make for usable grocers tongs, or similar grippers etc. Sure there can be custom solution (telescoping pole with a string actuated grip.. stuff like that.
Each problem requires an innovative and custom solution.
I would call several facilities and speak to them about maintaining their deep tanks and call several companies who produce such tanks REGULARLY and get their take.
7.5 feet of tank (lets call it 6' to the bottom even) and a 30" clearance don't make for usable grocers tongs, or similar grippers etc. Sure there can be custom solution (telescoping pole with a string actuated grip.. stuff like that.
Each problem requires an innovative and custom solution.
I would call several facilities and speak to them about maintaining their deep tanks and call several companies who produce such tanks REGULARLY and get their take.
S2H I consulted on an existing 10,000 gallon rectangular tank in a restaurant. The height of the tank was 8' tall. There is a room above the tank with a catwalk and a system to mechanically lift the lighting system. They were expending significant dollars each month for a daily cleaning crew of two. Once per month they went into the tank for deep cleaning. The tank was impressive to the average person however it was far from 'nice' to the experienced hobbyist. Anything is possible if you want to move forward consider increasing the diameter substantially so a person can enter the tank without damaging your coral. Best of luck this seems like a project that I definitely follow.
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StaircasetoHeaven
Community Member
Yes, even with a catwalk above the tank as you mention it would be a full-time job for a single person to maintain. That is EXACTLY NOT what I want for a leisurely retirement.
StaircasetoHeaven
Community Member
StaircasetoHeaven
Community Member
I am clearly at the conceptual stage of this potential project. If I feel if the project is achievable then your suggestions are good moving forward. I looked again at the portfolio of the first tank builder coming out today, and there is one cylindrical tank pictured that is of approximate similar height, although not as wide as necessary to penetrate the wall and have significant presence on both sides of the wall between the staircase and the living room. I dont see any fish in this tank so I am guessing this photo is right after installation. I will certainly ask the builder about that tank and how it is maintained.
vsolovyev
Active Member
My tallest tank was 4 ft tall, while it was a great idea the struggles came when I had to pick stuff up. It was an Drop down tank, so anytime a frag fell down, a rock needed to be picked up or even a fish died and needed to be collected I had to use an extension grabber which was a PITA, 10ft tall… probably not getting any dead fish or coral out.
But it could work if you are willing to dive frequently or call someone in to dive frequently.
But it could work if you are willing to dive frequently or call someone in to dive frequently.
Ben's Pico Reefing
Valuable Member
You could do real coral. Some require low light, others require no light. You can mount more powerful lights made for public displays. I believe orphek makes some. These will need to encircle around the top and not center. As some has said the wider for this the better as you can run plumbing up in center but have enough room for access. There is a lot of automated glass scrubbers but not sure on curved tanks.
Other idea would be to setup a more deep reef where it looks like something like this.
ignore the eels lol.
You would have a lot of open swimming room above where you could add gorgonians or such which would provide taller movement or even maybe a bit of kelp or something. You could then do plumbing to hang over using walls to hide and cut overflow down to water level for drain to prevent to much back syphoning. Make at least 6 foot wide to be able to get in if needed and no baffle or wall in center means more display volume and easier maintenance.
Just some ideas
Other idea would be to setup a more deep reef where it looks like something like this.
You would have a lot of open swimming room above where you could add gorgonians or such which would provide taller movement or even maybe a bit of kelp or something. You could then do plumbing to hang over using walls to hide and cut overflow down to water level for drain to prevent to much back syphoning. Make at least 6 foot wide to be able to get in if needed and no baffle or wall in center means more display volume and easier maintenance.
Just some ideas
Ask the Silverton for a referral to who built and maintains their tank. Maybe you could integrate the 900 sq ft garage into the design. Rather than just a cylinder, maybe a 3/4 cylinder with the last 1/4 being a "door" into the garage where you could have a huge refugium, etc to support the visible part of the cylinder. Then you could have the mermaids come in through the "door" and clean the glass.
if you are worried about lighting in that situation and have cash to burn. Maybe there could be a solution with installing small lights in overhangs of the center structure. No idea how that would work practically and how you would waterproof them but difficult problems require difficult solutions.
Excuse me if this question is too basic or obvious, but have you seen half circle tanks in person? I have a half circle 72g for a large African cichlid and it was very strange seeing the distortion applied from the curved glass. It's not enjoyable imo, and I wouldn't want it as my main tank that I've invested thousands of dollars into.I am clearly at the conceptual stage of this potential project. If I feel if the project is achievable then your suggestions are good moving forward. I looked again at the portfolio of the first tank builder coming out today, and there is one cylindrical tank pictured that is of approximate similar height, although not as wide as necessary to penetrate the wall and have significant presence on both sides of the wall between the staircase and the living room. I dont see any fish in this tank so I am guessing this photo is right after installation. I will certainly ask the builder about that tank and how it is maintained.
Just putting that out there incase you haven't considered it yet.
StaircasetoHeaven
Community Member
Yes I have thought of issues of viewing distortion in circular or semi-circular tank; just another in long list of issues to address if project progresses
StaircasetoHeaven
Community Member
StaircasetoHeaven
Community Member
No I dont want to dive into tank even if this is possible. No I dont want to call in divers due to cost, scheduling, and likely mess even if the tank has drain grates around it. I think a likely custom telescoping grabber is a possible option for picking up things from bottom. I also had a 36" tank, and yes it was a pain to get stuff off the bottom and clean algae off the sides
StaircasetoHeaven
Community Member
I am thinking about placing lighting strips along both sides of tank of the tank which point toward the center running longitudinally up and down the full length of the tank in addition to lighting at the top. I dont see any reason why this would not be possible and provide at least adequate light to keep a reef alive. Yes there would be some decrease of the light due to having to penetrate the tank but I read that this is not a huge drop.
Unless you like to take a swim in a tropical ocean each morning to wipe down the tank, this would not be how I would want to spend my retirement. Close, but a bit much. I like to sleep in.
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