Making a large tank

[fichpoo]

Hello,
I would like to make a large saltwater tank, say 800 gallons. I don't want to make it your normal tank however. Would it be possible to go into the backyard and dig a quite large hole and use to wood and a pond liner and make a large pond like tank? I would use 1 peice of acrylic on one of the sides so that I could see into the tank. I would also dig a small walkway around the tank for inspections and so forth. Down here in texas the sun is quite bright so this would eliminate any needs for MH and so forth. Also the earth's internal temperature stays relatively the same, eliminating needs for a chiller or heater. During the winter however I could enclose the pond in a greenhose and put a heater if necessary. Just want to try something different and interesting. Nothing is for sure just let me know your opionions and suggestions on this. I can do this or section off part of my pool..

jk.
TIA

 

[cgbexec]

fichpoo,

You have a lot of thinking to do before embarking on such an ambitious project. The direct sun light would heat this out door pool and turn it into a little hot tub. If you use wood, it will act like an insulator and negate the effects of the cooler earth. Even acrylic would insulate this effect to some degree. Direct Sun light could be used, but heat would become a factor. If you have a pool, what is the temp differential from Summer to Winter and how much does you pool temp fluctuate daily. Also keep in mind that your pool is probably is a lot more than 800 gal. This sounds like a great idea, but the heat and cold would consern me. I have been thinking of building an out door Mangrove pond/Refugium. Since I live in South Fl. the heat and cold question conserns me. How would you attach the viewing window to the pond liner. I think that concrete would be a better choice.

Chris

 

[fichpoo]

I was thinking of digging a quite large hole and dumping in quite a bit of concrete for 3 sides of the "pond". then attaching the front peice of acrylic by cementing it in on 3 sides. Heat could become a factor and therefore I might have to use a chiller. In the winter I might have to use a heater... Don't know until I try it. As far as the pool, the temp fluctuates quite a bit through the year. The pool also doesnt have a heater or chiller and is also 30000 gallons. I have only been researching this for a few weeks. I'm in no rush and will definately look for more information and advice with something this big. I'm in no rush and will definately take my time. Thanks for your info though

 

[cgbexec]

Fichpoo,

If the temp of a 30,000gal pool fluctuates quite a bit over the year, then I would think that an 800gal pool would fluctuate even more. It should get hotter than the pool in warm weather and cooler in cool weather. These temp swings would happen much quicker as well. Perhaps using a tinted cover would reduce the heat. Circulating water through a long pipe buried in the ground would also stabilize the temp a bit. A chiller will work as well, but it can only cool so much. Anyone else have any ideas?

Chris

 

[Jeff Hood]

One way you could controll temps is a thermostated ball valve and run a loop deep under ground just like the geothermal House units. When hot your circ water goes underground. You will need someone with an engeenering degree to figure out what length of hose you will need for your heat exchanger and how deep it will need to be burried. It would be cool if you could pull it off. The hard part is keeping all the organic debree out of it. Just put the green house over it year round and you are set.


Jeff

 

[davelin315]

Call Sea World. The ones I have been to have large outdoor pools filled with life. They could tell you exactly what you need and how to do it. I think I've seen the ones in Orlando and is there one in California somewhere?

 

[monkeyboy]

"Also the earth's internal temperature stays relatively the same, eliminating needs for a chiller or heater. During the winter however I could enclose the pond in a greenhose and put a heater if necessary. "

On the contrary, you would need a heater/chiller and a large one at that, one that can do 800g. The ground temp is definitely going to shift, but the sun blaring on it would absolutely warrant a chiller. I wouldn't bother with the side window, reefs look best, IMO, from the top anyway! Not sure about not lighting it though, maybe some back-up 400's for cloudy days and long rain storms. There was a thread about this a looooooooooong time ago and there were some good ideas... Maybe it's in the archives, i'll dig...

 

[kjb]

Go for it!
I would votw for a more insulated approach with maybe something between the earth and the cement sides of the pool. Could you stick some foam board or something around the sides before you pour?
I also vote for a greenhouse year round. You should be able to do something with temperature controled shades for the roof, even that automatically tinting glass they sell for use in skyscrapers... along with the proper controls. Texas doesn't get too cloudy in your part does it? Maybe you wouldn't need any supplemental lighting for other than viewing purposes, say right along the acrylic front panel.
You might e-mail the cool lady who owns Harbor Aquatics in Valparaiso Indiana for her opinion... I believe she maintains a large area of LR holding pools and other SW stuff within a greenhouse. Much colder up there than Texas, but I bet she would have some valuable input.