1000 Us Gal Project

[chrisbassist]

that won't be a problem...

in fact i may well design it now, build a model etc, and use it as a portfolio piece for getting onto my course (architecture). but then things might change and i will want the building to suit the house we're in (which we don't have yet) so it may need redesigning later on, but that should just be the exterior aesthetics...

first port of call for me is getting as much detail as possible (hence all the questions), then some quick calculations to figure out floorspace required for everything including space to be able to access everything. then a quick model to figure out exterior looks etc. then move into the computer, do a quick 3d mockup, including very basic models of everything including tank, stand, sump, sofa, freezer, etc. then one by one, refine the models of each piece. make sure all socket locations are on the model, refine the overall structure including the framing for the walls, cladding etc... but nothing over the top. i'm not OCD about these things...

 

[superman1]

that won't be a problem...

in fact i may well design it now, build a model etc, and use it as a portfolio piece for getting onto my course (architecture). but then things might change and i will want the building to suit the house we're in (which we don't have yet) so it may need redesigning later on, but that should just be the exterior aesthetics...

first port of call for me is getting as much detail as possible (hence all the questions), then some quick calculations to figure out floorspace required for everything including space to be able to access everything. then a quick model to figure out exterior looks etc. then move into the computer, do a quick 3d mockup, including very basic models of everything including tank, stand, sump, sofa, freezer, etc. then one by one, refine the models of each piece. make sure all socket locations are on the model, refine the overall structure including the framing for the walls, cladding etc... but nothing over the top. i'm not OCD about these things...

good software to use which is free is google sketchup 7 (i am actually coming to the end of my architecture course ) which i used to model house designs. maybe something for you to look into . its very easy to use.

 

[chrisbassist]

yup, sketchup is indeed easy to use. until you want to do more advanced shapes. but for me, i like simple shapes so it's ok for most of the stuff i do. but i dare say i was puching its limits when i modeled darth vaders helmet for a friends animation software...

 

[superman1]

lol.. i had to create a building using Autodesk 3ds max for a building animation. what an amazing piece of software but very hard to use.
thats really good if you dont want the cartoony effect sketchup gives.
watch this video that some guy did for fun using the software.. the skys the limit with the possibilities with it. you may have to use this doing architecture to present your building designs. http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHD8Xf5Rnvo&feature=fvst

sorrry T1 for hijacking the friend.

 

[T1KARMANN]

i just use Visio

 

[always4lora]

i just use Visio

Visio makes me swear a lot...

 

[dave_oddballs]

so does it make me old fasioned using a pencil and paper? Ha ha thats all i use and get everything spot on!

 

[chrisbassist]

Old fashioned yes, outdated, no.
It's still good to be able to use pencil and paper but computers have advantages. Like offering a walkthrough model, seeing where light will fall, what sort of environment it will be where to light it for best effect etc all before you've built anything. Means you have the opportunity to iron out any potential problems before it's too late.

Anyway, back to fish!!!
Ever had anything eat a ray?

 

[T1KARMANN]

no matter how much planning you do nothing beat a dry mock up before i added the concrete

 

[steelhealr]

T1...if you added another species to your tank (or two), what do you think you would choose and why?

SH

 

[kniesh]

Just picked up 4 of those Comet Tinfoils T1, £3.50 each. No good for you though, they were only around 4". Gonna get rid of the Balas now I think and just have the 8 Tinfoils. Picked up a baby Black Aro too, he's eatin already but really young so am just hopefull more than anything.

 

[J4M3S]

very nice! love that shark!!!! good job

 

[T1KARMANN]

T1...if you added another species to your tank (or two), what do you think you would choose and why?

SH

i will be adding a arican arowana when i can get a good size one about 14inch +

i just love african aros they are like a small arapima gigas but without the massive size they still grow to about 30inch but not 8ft like the gigas

i had one in my aro com but it was still at its filter feeding stage and used to feed from the small bits of food that the asian aros puffed out of the gils which used to freek them out

cool fish they filter feed up to about 12-16inch then move on to larger food

AFTER THAT I WONT BE GETTING MUCH MORE

this is my old one

 

[T1KARMANN]

Just picked up 4 of those Comet Tinfoils T1, £3.50 each. No good for you though, they were only around 4". Gonna get rid of the Balas now I think and just have the 8 Tinfoils. Picked up a baby Black Aro too, he's eatin already but really young so am just hopefull more than anything.

get the black aro on to small meal worns it will grow fast with 2 feeds per day of about 8-10 worms then when it gets to 12inch cut back to 1 feed per day

black aros are a bit skitish compaired to other aros

 

[cherrypie]

I've just spent the last 2 hours reading the whole of this thread and it is absolutely AMAZING. I'm sat here looking at my 3 tanks which amount to around 34 gallons in total and finding it hard to comprehend the size (and the work involved) to make your tank dream come true. I'm sure my daughter would be more appreciative if my own planned upgrade was along the same lines....

That said, I am completely inspired, although a few grand short on funding.......No matter. I'll pray for a win on the Euro Millions or send him out to play for Man City instead of just watching them - I too would have done a better job with Stephen Ireland's £100k, even before reading this!!!

I have questions though...... and the first is very naive (but in my love of teeny tetra's I have to ask) but how do you move fish as large as yours? And how do you catch them?
The next is how long did you have your last tank set up for? Do you think your current tank will be your last upgrade or do you have secret, back of the mind plans to do it again?