DIY Concrete Aquarium 5,000 gallon - Anderson Family Reef

[dca22anderson]

Going to do this shiplap in a light gray wall color over the plywood, leave the concrete exposed and add that dark gray tile around the window… that will tie into some other things we are doing in that tv room

 

[Jackal799]

K after 87 pages I’m all caught up. Best build ever!

 

[Jay B]

Wow is all I have to say. Your build thread is the first 1 I have looked at and it took a couple of weeks to go through each video to absorb and understand as much as I could. It is an epic journey that I have binge watched and really enjoyed catching up with. Through all the work, you still had time to respond to questions and keep everyone up to date.

I thought your last tank was epic, beautiful and something to enjoy for many years. I was horrified when after all we went through during the build (haha) that you took it all apart and I didn't really understand what it was that made you move on to this new monster build, except for the fact that you always wanted to do it.

I applaud you for all your tireless energy and letting folks like me see the far end of the spectrum of what is possible. It is really a lot of fun to watch. I love how there is so much to do that even though you are missing equipment and you're not able to work in the direction you would like, you shift gears and tackle other projects to keep moving forward. Keep up the excellent work.

 

[ScottB]

I applaud you for all your tireless energy and letting folks like me see the far end of the spectrum of what is possible.

Glad someone else sees Anderson as an uber-producing madman. In the time it takes me to replace an ATO, this guy builds forms, pours 5 cubic meters of concrete, and has it cured, cored, and painted.

I think I will take a nap now.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Speaking of an ATO, what are you using for this build? I guess you could manually top off, but that would be like 50 gallons a day.

 

[dca22anderson]

K after 87 pages I’m all caught up. Best build ever!

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind words!

Wow is all I have to say. Your build thread is the first 1 I have looked at and it took a couple of weeks to go through each video to absorb and understand as much as I could. It is an epic journey that I have binge watched and really enjoyed catching up with. Through all the work, you still had time to respond to questions and keep everyone up to date.

I thought your last tank was epic, beautiful and something to enjoy for many years. I was horrified when after all we went through during the build (haha) that you took it all apart and I didn't really understand what it was that made you move on to this new monster build, except for the fact that you always wanted to do it.

I applaud you for all your tireless energy and letting folks like me see the far end of the spectrum of what is possible. It is really a lot of fun to watch. I love how there is so much to do that even though you are missing equipment and you're not able to work in the direction you would like, you shift gears and tackle other projects to keep moving forward. Keep up the excellent work.

Thanks for checking it out and for the kind feedback! I love this stuff, timing was right and it has been a dream of mine since I was a kid! So stoked to be at this point!! Honestly I look forward to growing corals for years in there (which I haven’t done for the last few systems) I made a deal with my wife that I would remodel the basement with the tank build so there is plenty to do down there! Getting closer on the tank (my first priority) stoked!!

Glad someone else sees Anderson as an uber-producing madman. In the time it takes me to replace an ATO, this guy builds forms, pours 5 cubic meters of concrete, and has it cured, cored, and painted.

I think I will take a nap now.

It’s funny because when you enjoy doing something it’s easy to spend the time… totally laughed at this!! Thanks for chiming in!!

Speaking of an ATO, what are you using for this build? I guess you could manually top off, but that would be like 50 gallons a day.

I have a 3/8” float valve going to connect it to the 100 gallon gravity fed top off to the sump… think that will get it done for now

 

[dca22anderson]

Just a little trim so they rest on the edge of the concrete…

 

[dca22anderson]

Going to end up making two separate return systems for redundancy with each flowing around 6000 gallons per hour. I’ll start there and adjust as needed…

Ordered 4, 1-1/2" true union ball valves from BRS that should arrive today. With those I will be able to plumb in the returns and stub them out to the sump. The ones in the picture I will use for the pumps...

 

[Jay B]

Did you ever figure out what pumps you will be using to move all that water? I know you mentioned a closed loop but I am trying to figure out how it would go but can't visualize it. Maybe a few outboard motors for flow haha. I think you have everything mapped out and ready to fall into place based on what I've seen so far.

 

[VanDalsenReef]

Going to end up making two separate return systems for redundancy with each flowing around 6000 gallons per hour. I’ll start there and adjust as needed…

Ordered 4, 1-1/2" true union ball valves from BRS that should arrive today. With those I will be able to plumb in the returns and stub them out to the sump. The ones in the picture I will use for the pumps...

Maybe I didn't see but any updates on the equipment? Sump, skimmer etc?

 

[dca22anderson]

Did you ever figure out what pumps you will be using to move all that water? I know you mentioned a closed loop but I am trying to figure out how it would go but can't visualize it. Maybe a few outboard motors for flow haha. I think you have everything mapped out and ready to fall into place based on what I've seen so far.

I will start with either two Hammerhead golds (I have on hand) for returns through the sea-swirls. Still may use two red dragon internal pumps instead...

Want to use some big cannons in the tank for flow like the panta rhei ECM 63 Hydorwizards (13,421 GPH)

I have 4 Sicce 4000's to create a constant gyre down the back of the tank, across the bottom, up the front then back to the overflow.

I think I am over the idea of the closed loop (tons of piping inside the tank). Will use the Hydrowizards instead to create good random flow.

Maybe I didn't see but any updates on the equipment? Sump, skimmer etc?

I have ordered and paid for with Aquarium Engineering the following: 8'x4'x3' PVC sump, 24"x8' tall skimmer, UV, Heat Exchanger, drum filter, PVC frag tank and overflow. No response from Bill Wann for the last 5 weeks now.

Requested a refund so I can go get other gear then he responded and said he would have time to get it started. That conversation was over five weeks ago now. He did respond to a FB post last week stating that his mother has cancer and he doesn't have time for fish stuff right now. I'll reach out again this week. Super Buzz Kill.

 

[ScottB]

I will start with either two Hammerhead golds (I have on hand) for returns through the sea-swirls. Still may use two red dragon internal pumps instead...

Want to use some big cannons in the tank for flow like the panta rhei ECM 63 Hydorwizards (13,421 GPH)

I have 4 Sicce 4000's to create a constant gyre down the back of the tank, across the bottom, up the front then back to the overflow.

I think I am over the idea of the closed loop (tons of piping inside the tank). Will use the Hydrowizards instead to create good random flow.

I have ordered and paid for with Aquarium Engineering the following: 8'x4'x3' PVC sump, 24"x8' tall skimmer, UV, Heat Exchanger, drum filter, PVC frag tank and overflow. No response from Bill Wann for the last 5 weeks now.

Requested a refund so I can go get other gear then he responded and said he would have time to get it started. That conversation was over five weeks ago now. He did respond to a FB post last week stating that his mother has cancer and he doesn't have time for fish stuff right now. I'll reach out again this week. Super Buzz Kill.

That is really too bad about AE. The guy builds military grade stuff, but one man visionary businesses never make it. I was lucky; somehow he was available and helpful for me, but I have seen more than enough ghosting by now to know not to risk it anymore.

 

[dca22anderson]

I knew the risks after it taking over 13 months to get my first round of gear from Bill Wann for the 720gal system.

It's now been over that timeframe for this second round of gear. I figured with me being a repeat customer, spending tons of dollars with him and having his help to build a smaller version of his tank I would have had it by now.

I still think he will get to it but man it's taking way too long.

Best built gear on the planet IMHO when it finally arrives!! Fingers Crossed!!

 

[Dcal]

what are the dimensions of the viewing windows i forgot

 

[Wolf89]

I will start with either two Hammerhead golds (I have on hand) for returns through the sea-swirls. Still may use two red dragon internal pumps instead...

Want to use some big cannons in the tank for flow like the panta rhei ECM 63 Hydorwizards (13,421 GPH)

I have 4 Sicce 4000's to create a constant gyre down the back of the tank, across the bottom, up the front then back to the overflow.

I think I am over the idea of the closed loop (tons of piping inside the tank). Will use the Hydrowizards instead to create good random flow.

I have ordered and paid for with Aquarium Engineering the following: 8'x4'x3' PVC sump, 24"x8' tall skimmer, UV, Heat Exchanger, drum filter, PVC frag tank and overflow. No response from Bill Wann for the last 5 weeks now.

Requested a refund so I can go get other gear then he responded and said he would have time to get it started. That conversation was over five weeks ago now. He did respond to a FB post last week stating that his mother has cancer and he doesn't have time for fish stuff right now. I'll reach out again this week. Super Buzz Kill.

I have heard many, many horror stories dealing with Bill Wanna and Aquarium Engineering...

 

[dca22anderson]

what are the dimensions of the viewing windows i forgot

4’x8’ for the main and 5” shorter on the hallway side

 

[dca22anderson]

Sea-Swirls installed over the tank and stubbed to the sump area for the returns

 

[dca22anderson]

Few more of the pipes and the termination for now

 

[ScottB]

I recently received some SeaSweeps for my 10 foot frag build. Similar concept to the Swirls, but you bolt on Tunze pumps to them. I sure hope they hold up like the Swirls are reported to work. I will use them for flow at the middle of the raceway.

Have you used Swirls before?

 

[Eric R.]

I knew the risks after it taking over 13 months to get my first round of gear from Bill Wann for the 720gal system.

It's now been over that timeframe for this second round of gear. I figured with me being a repeat customer, spending tons of dollars with him and having his help to build a smaller version of his tank I would have had it by now.

I still think he will get to it but man it's taking way too long.

Best built gear on the planet IMHO when it finally arrives!! Fingers Crossed!!

I just have to applaud your patience. I hope it pays off for you in the long run! Fingers and toes crossed for you as well. Epic build, I very much enjoy following!