DIY Concrete Aquarium 5,000 gallon - Anderson Family Reef

[Sltloser]

Top down then side view initial sketches for rock work. Yellow squares are those AquaBlox in two different sizes…

This is a really cool concept! I like the idea of using the aquablocx as part of the base to keep the rockwork up. How much space do you plan to leave between the water and top of the rockwork?

Just a thought, how do you feel about a sloping reef from the back right corner (where there aren't viewing panels)? Then maybe some large columnar rockwork like chingchai did in his aquarium? It might create some cool negative space and give you a lot of room for large colony growth.

Tales from Thailand: Chingchai’s incredible DSPS tank | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Having just returned from an amazing trip in Bangkok, it would almost be considered criminal if we weren’t going to spill and share on the reefing goodies this amazing city has to offer.

reefbuilders.com

 

[dca22anderson]

This is a really cool concept! I like the idea of using the aquablocx as part of the base to keep the rockwork up. How much space do you plan to leave between the water and top of the rockwork?

Just a thought, how do you feel about a sloping reef from the back right corner (where there aren't viewing panels)? Then maybe some large columnar rockwork like chingchai did in his aquarium? It might create some cool negative space and give you a lot of room for large colony growth.

Tales from Thailand: Chingchai’s incredible DSPS tank | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Having just returned from an amazing trip in Bangkok, it would almost be considered criminal if we weren’t going to spill and share on the reefing goodies this amazing city has to offer.

reefbuilders.com

Planning on leaving about a foot or two above the rock work for corals to grow out into the open space above and the fish to swim around then taper it down towards the front viewing panel.

Love that idea! Love Chingchai’s tank! Followed that build a few years back! It may be a little challenging with the depth but I’ll see what I can do!

 

[Sltloser]

Planning on leaving about a foot or two above the rock work for corals to grow out into the open space above and the fish to swim around then taper it down towards the front viewing panel.

Love that idea! Love Chingchai’s tank! Followed that build a few years back! It may be a little challenging with the depth but I’ll see what I can do!

I'm glad to hear you're thinking years into the future with coral growth. I feel like a lot of people leave too little space between the top of the rock work and the water line. Within a year or two the corals reach the top and then don't have anywhere to grow, I think 1.5-2ft is perfect!

That is very true, I think he was at 4 ft deep? It'll be harder with 7ish feet. Just a thought though, I know you'll come up with something awesome! Can't wait to see the structures as you work through but all.

 

[Cell]

Top down on the 500 holding bin with the new big Vlamingii

Sweet! Now show us the whale shark!

 

[dca22anderson]

 

[dca22anderson]

 

[dca22anderson]

 

[dca22anderson]

 

[Sltloser]

This is extremely exciting! How does it feel having the second panel installed!?

 

[dca22anderson]

This is extremely exciting! How does it feel having the second panel installed!?

Super excited!! Have a 3 week dry time for the silicone then do some rock stacking!!

 

[Sltloser]

Super excited!! Have a 3 week dry time for the silicone then do some rock stacking!!

Can't wait to see the stacking begin!

What things are you planning to work on in parallel?

 

[dca22anderson]

Can't wait to see the stacking begin!

What things are you planning to work on in parallel?

Waiting on all the filtration from Aquarium Engineering - Skimmer, Sump, UV, Heat Exchanger, Frag tank, Drum filter and next up overflow box.

I will build out the walls around the tank, put in the header to free up the viewing from the hall, work on air exchange, water change station/RODI, cat walk, closed loop, rock work, lighting, man there are more things to do too!! I need to organize my plan to attack all that stuff that needs done!!

 

[Sltloser]

Waiting on all the filtration from Aquarium Engineering - Skimmer, Sump, UV, Heat Exchanger, Frag tank, Drum filter and next up overflow box.

I will build out the walls around the tank, put in the header to free up the viewing from the hall, work on air exchange, water change station/RODI, cat walk, closed loop, rock work, lighting, man there are more things to do too!! I need to organize my plan to attack all that stuff that needs done!!

Sounds like plenty of stuff to keep you extremely busy as the silicone cures!

Also, selfishly, it will keep teaching us new things and will be fun seeing all the awesome progress as it comes together.

 

[dca22anderson]

Silicone drying up nicely!

 

[McPuff]

Even the pillows have an aquatic theme. Nice touch. :0)

 

[dca22anderson]

Even the pillows have an aquatic theme. Nice touch. :0)

Yeah, only the best for the bracing for this build!

 

[dca22anderson]

This orange digi has a mystic monti blanket in the holding bin

 

[dca22anderson]

Hallway view to the front panel. I still need to put in the header to free up the full view from the hall.

 

[dca22anderson]

New QT tank ready for action… it’s a 240gal should work well…

 

[Cell]

Curious if you have a rough estimate of the operating cost per month or year on this tank?