The Perfect Tank

I would like to design a sectioned tank that is three parts, segmented. I would like the tank to look like an inverted U , with the two larger, right-angled tanks on the outside, with a bridge tank going between them. In all three tanks, the water would be separated, of course. The tank would go on top of a dark-wooded, desk-like structure that provides a collar around all the tanks. Under the middle segment would be a lamp with a blue lunar light that will be directly under the bridge and impact all three tanks at night. On top of the tank would be a hanging canopy, matching the wood of course, and containing combination halide and compact flourescent lighting (the trick would be to make them appear of the same brightness from left to right).

From left to right, the left tank (125 gallons) would consisted of salt water fish, invertebrates and corals, the bridge tank (probably only 75 gallons or so) would contain species typical of a brackish ecosystem, and the right side (also 125 gallons) would be a well-planted South American tank. I could get the 2 salty sides serviced REGULARLY and take care of the planted tank myself. The tanks would represent an evolutionary progression, from the sea, to where the sea meets the rivers, and to the rivers/ponds. Land would be represented by my house and family. The tanks would have to be glass, as I do not like acrylic, so the cutting and joining of the bridge/brackish tank would be challenging, and I am not very handy. See if you get where I am going fromthis rough schematic:

a very cool idea but i wouldnt recomend it incase it leaked because then your in trouble

cool, i say go for it, just make sure you seal them up extremely well, and make sure that any aplashing doesnt occur, so maybe have a plastic lid on top to prevent this??

you could probably benefit from an engineers drawing if you give me your dimentions i maybe able to knock one up. that is if you know how to read them

truckasauras123 said:

you could probably benefit from an engineers drawing if you give me your dimentions i maybe able to knock one up. that is if you know how to read them

Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^^

LOL...I'm a psychologist, but I come from a family of engineers. I wouldn't know the dimensions until I find my new house, but thanks for the offer.

aaronnorth said:

cool, i say go for it, just make sure you seal them up extremely well, and make sure that any aplashing doesnt occur, so maybe have a plastic lid on top to prevent this??

Click to expand...

Yes, I though the same after I posted it. The idea is in its infancy, let's just say.

i say its a great idea, go for it!
aslong as u use the proper aquarium sealent and make sure its entirely watertight, so fill one, let it stand a few days, then the furtherst away leave it,
then the middle, you can be 100% sure that it isnt leaking.
when you are sure then you can cycle them.
and also you would need 3 different filters? probably heaters too

kubora666 said:

i say its a great idea, go for it!
aslong as u use the proper aquarium sealent and make sure its entirely watertight, so fill one, let it stand a few days, then the furtherst away leave it,
then the middle, you can be 100% sure that it isnt leaking.
when you are sure then you can cycle them.
and also you would need 3 different filters? probably heaters too

Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^^^^

Yeah...good idea about the sequence for checking for leaks. I defitely need at least 2 heaters, would be hoping to avoid having one in the middle. At least three filters:

Salt - Need trickle filter, UV setrilizer, and a venturi protein skimmer.

Middle - Can get away with my fluval 305, with freq

kubora666 said:

i say its a great idea, go for it!
aslong as u use the proper aquarium sealent and make sure its entirely watertight, so fill one, let it stand a few days, then the furtherst away leave it,
then the middle, you can be 100% sure that it isnt leaking.
when you are sure then you can cycle them.
and also you would need 3 different filters? probably heaters too

Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^^^^

Yeah...good idea about the sequence for checking for leaks. I definitely need at least 2 heaters, would be hoping to avoid having one in the middle, if possible. The freshwater tank would be 84 degrees (discus), so I don't know how much that would impact the temperature of the brackish tank. At least four filters, for sure:

Salt - Need a good trickle filter, UV sterilizer, and a venturi protein skimmer. Perhaps even a chiller, depending on where I end up moving.

Middle (75G)- Can get away with my fluval 305 and fluval 3 plus (internal).

Fresh - Would maybe go with the Fluval FX canister filter (peat media used in one of the chambers), UV sterilization, and a start of the art automatic CO2 system.

Does anyone know the typical plant life or other invertebrates that would go into a brackish tank?

LOL...this will be a year long project.

Rlon35 said:

kubora666 said:

i say its a great idea, go for it!
aslong as u use the proper aquarium sealent and make sure its entirely watertight, so fill one, let it stand a few days, then the furtherst away leave it,
then the middle, you can be 100% sure that it isnt leaking.
when you are sure then you can cycle them.
and also you would need 3 different filters? probably heaters too

Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^^^^

Yeah...good idea about the sequence for checking for leaks. I definitely need at least 2 heaters, would be hoping to avoid having one in the middle, if possible. The freshwater tank would be 84 degrees (discus), so I don't know how much that would impact the temperature of the brackish tank. At least four filters, for sure:

Salt - Need a good trickle filter, UV sterilizer, and a venturi protein skimmer. Perhaps even a chiller, depending on where I end up moving.

Middle (75G)- Can get away with my fluval 305 and fluval 3 plus (internal).

Fresh - Would maybe go with the Fluval FX canister filter (peat media used in one of the chambers), UV sterilization, and a start of the art automatic CO2 system.

Does anyone know the typical plant life or other invertebrates that would go into a brackish tank?

LOL...this will be a year long project.

Click to expand...

glad you like my idea, this is an ambitious project and one that will get alot of interest =p i cant wait to see how it goes,
if you need any ideas or anything il always lend a hand if i can =D

kubora666 said:

Rlon35 said:

kubora666 said:

i say its a great idea, go for it!
aslong as u use the proper aquarium sealent and make sure its entirely watertight, so fill one, let it stand a few days, then the furtherst away leave it,
then the middle, you can be 100% sure that it isnt leaking.
when you are sure then you can cycle them.
and also you would need 3 different filters? probably heaters too

Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^^^^

Yeah...good idea about the sequence for checking for leaks. I definitely need at least 2 heaters, would be hoping to avoid having one in the middle, if possible. The freshwater tank would be 84 degrees (discus), so I don't know how much that would impact the temperature of the brackish tank. At least four filters, for sure:

Salt - Need a good trickle filter, UV sterilizer, and a venturi protein skimmer. Perhaps even a chiller, depending on where I end up moving.

Middle (75G)- Can get away with my fluval 305 and fluval 3 plus (internal).

Fresh - Would maybe go with the Fluval FX canister filter (peat media used in one of the chambers), UV sterilization, and a start of the art automatic CO2 system.

Does anyone know the typical plant life or other invertebrates that would go into a brackish tank?

LOL...this will be a year long project.

Click to expand...

glad you like my idea, this is an ambitious project and one that will get alot of interest =p i cant wait to see how it goes,
if you need any ideas or anything il always lend a hand if i can =D

Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^^

I think that the brackish tank needs to be at least 125 gallons, given the species that would go together there (monos, scats, archers, and puffers need room). I think the project just got bigger. I'll keep in touch as I think on this...thanks.

http/192.38.244.204/go.asp?show=products

click on the drop down list on the right, then choose brackish plants.