DIY Concrete Aquarium 5,000 gallon - Anderson Family Reef

[dca22anderson]

I'm surprised to see it not get any insulation. Also humidity control is going to be insane. Super build. Best of luck. Cant wait to see the 1.5 yr mark.

I have insulation below grade and on the bottom… I’ll still put in an air exchanger on the exterior wall… thanks for checking it out! I too can’t wait till your 1.5!! Should be growing SPS by then

That will look great. Keeping the blue look so it blends in?

good point, I was thinking black but blue may be better, hope to have it covered in coraline over time

 

[VanDalsenReef]

Did you ever figure out a lighting setup?

 

[dca22anderson]

Did you ever figure out a lighting setup?

Thinking of using these:

Amazonas 320 Aquarium LED Lighting • Orphek

Orphek Amazonas 320 LED Light Fixtures are developed specifically for public aquariums and other venues displaying reef or freshwater aquariums.

orphek.com

 

[VanDalsenReef]

Thinking of using these:

Amazonas 320 Aquarium LED Lighting • Orphek

Orphek Amazonas 320 LED Light Fixtures are developed specifically for public aquariums and other venues displaying reef or freshwater aquariums.

orphek.com

Yes. Orphek. Come to the dark side

 

[MartinM]

Is where you live cold/colder? People often think MH are less efficient, but then run LEDs+ hundreds of watts+ worth of heaters. 400w halides might do the trick for you, and keep your tank warm also. Plus, they’ll look a lot better (IMO/E).

 

[dca22anderson]

Is where you live cold/colder? People often think MH are less efficient, but then run LEDs+ hundreds of watts+ worth of heaters. 400w halides might do the trick for you, and keep your tank warm also. Plus, they’ll look a lot better (IMO/E).

I have 9 - 400 watt set ups with galaxy adjustable ballasts and a ton of XHO reefbrite Leds to go in between them… still deciding which way to go

 

[VanDalsenReef]

I have 9 - 400 watt set ups with galaxy adjustable ballasts and a ton of XHO reefbrite Leds to go in between them… still deciding which way to go

How much space do you have above them? I know the big ones is recommended like atleast 2 feet

 

[Cabinetman]

What a build. Definitely wanna follow this.

 

[dca22anderson]

How much space do you have above them? I know the big ones is recommended like atleast 2 feet

I have 17” from the top of the concrete to the ceiling, 30” to the top of the viewing panel!

 

[dca22anderson]

 

[VanDalsenReef]

I mean I guess it's large. Lol

 

[Ef4life]

That’s unbelievable. Can’t wait to see it filled up

 

[dca22anderson]

 

[Reefhab]

Oh man! Oh man! Oh man! That's going to be dreamy

 

[Brandon Wilcox]

I loved watching your last build and I'm super excited for this one. Hard to believe this build could one up your last one. I think there's a common theme with your reefing, GO BIG!!! Keep posting pictures.

 

[ScottB]

Well the wife and I finished binge watching Ted Lasso so I am glad I found this thread. So very interesting.

The scale of this project is so next level. I could repeat what I have done before at 2X or 3X but this is something different entirely.

In the videos you focused a lot on the four corners of the structure and did some follow up pointing around them. I am not an engineer but do the corners concern you? They looked pretty robust to me. I was more concerned with the strength of the lips for the viewing panes but will go back and look. A lot of (relative) leverage on those lips. But like I said, this scale is beyond me. Way beyond.

Thank you for sharing. We are all wishing you well and looking forward to future updates. Take your time.

 

[dca22anderson]

Well the wife and I finished binge watching Ted Lasso so I am glad I found this thread. So very interesting.

The scale of this project is so next level. I could repeat what I have done before at 2X or 3X but this is something different entirely.

In the videos you focused a lot on the four corners of the structure and did some follow up pointing around them. I am not an engineer but do the corners concern you? They looked pretty robust to me. I was more concerned with the strength of the lips for the viewing panes but will go back and look. A lot of (relative) leverage on those lips. But like I said, this scale is beyond me. Way beyond.

Thank you for sharing. We are all wishing you well and looking forward to future updates. Take your time.

I still need to watch that!! Maybe when I am done with the build

I did a single pour with tons of rebar rounding the corner with 6” on center 1/2” rebar with 5/8” more reinforcements in all corners. We should be good

thanks for the support / encouragement and for following along!!

 

[DJ Lone1]

Thanks! I agree! Plus with a 4’ deep tank it’s hard to get that water from down low up and over the overflow on a regular basis, goal is no dead spots

4' deep, that's amazing tank

 

[Pizza2049]

Wow! What a dream come true. Can’t wait for more updates!

 

[Reighn]

One word came to mind when seeing this...Führerbunker !!

All you married guys out there...you owe this guy BIG time! Now whenever your other half rants about your recent purchase of whatever...you can just show her this !!

Are you kidding?? My other half would be all over it egging me on to do it lol