6ft Tank In The Garden

[MHunt]

Perhaps a strange question, but I have the offer of a nice large 6ft tank, I have no room for it in the house, otherwise I'd be getting a pair of oscars and a common pleco to name a few fish straight away. My wife has suggested making a feature of it in the garden. Do you think this is feasible? My plan would be unheated, possibly with a solar powered pump filter (depends on stocking level) planted with some aquatic and some pond plants, and some comets or shubunkins for the fish. I know algae's going to be a problem, but the location doesn't get direct sunlight all day so it may be manageable.

Anyone else done this, and is there anything obvious i'm missing?

 

[WILDER]

If the water freezes in winter in could crack the tank.
Why not just build a pond.

 

[england]

uk = frost / freezing condition's for most part of the winter, i would not risk it, might be good if you could build a sun room plonk a large pond type thing inside, build around with some nice wood and then heat the sunroom, seen it done and works great

 

[MHunt]

There is always the freezing thing, This tank's been sat outside for at least one winter and appears in good condition, but yeah with the inclusion of a tank full of water the pressure could split it. I guess I could lag it for the winter months, only the surface would be exposed. I'm almost tempted to get a second shed and start my own fish room, but then heatinf is still a problem in the winter months.

I haven't really got space for a pond, and it's just too dangerous with two little children around, plus this is something a bit different, and aquarium in the garden.

Oh what to do?!

 

[forby3]

im a cavity wall installer by trade mate so build ya shed and use kingspan for the insulation
should stay warm enough in ya shed i mean it will stil be cold but not cold enough to freeze the water in ya tank like

 

[MHunt]

im a cavity wall installer by trade mate so build ya shed and use kingspan for the insulation
should stay warm enough in ya shed i mean it will stil be cold but not cold enough to freeze the water in ya tank like

Hmmm, it's tempting, but with one shed already for garden tools I suspect my better half may have something to say about me setting up a fish house. I would like to like, one 6ft tank and a few dividers, so many options for breeding etc! I even have half a plan for DIY solar water heating which has been in my mind for a while.

We'll see.

How much do you think it would cost to insulate a 6x4 shed with kingspan? Where's the best place to get it too?

 

[forby3]

ermm it quite expensive ....actually b and q sell it many builders sell it aswell depends on what size you use as it comes in different thinkness have a look get a few quotes first of just buy loft insulations rolls 240mm at about a fiver a roll 10 rolls would do ya shed like the just board over the insulation probs be cheaper doing it that way then the kingspan

 

[MHunt]

ermm it quite expensive ....actually b and q sell it many builders sell it aswell depends on what size you use as it comes in different thinkness have a look get a few quotes first of just buy loft insulations rolls 240mm at about a fiver a roll 10 rolls would do ya shed like the just board over the insulation probs be cheaper doing it that way then the kingspan

Yeah, but kingspan's like 1" thick as opposed to 3 or 4" for rockwool. Then the plasterboard on top.

 

[forby3]

you can get both in differnt sizes in thinkness so what ever works out cheaper thats gonna be the one
unless money is no object lol then ya laughing mate

 

[saph.st24]

hi forby3
im a cavity wall installer by trade mate so build ya shed and use kingspan for the insulation
should stay warm enough in ya shed i mean it will stil be cold but not cold enough to freeze the water in ya tank like

you even type in geordie love lol (sorry a little off topic there)

right back on topic shed with insulation sorry summer house with insulation lol
i really like this one imagine your tank along that back wall and you can still see it when its all closed up
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/THE-CONCEPT-12-X-10-...bayphotohosting

 

[shelaghfishface]

hi forby3
im a cavity wall installer by trade mate so build ya shed and use kingspan for the insulation
should stay warm enough in ya shed i mean it will stil be cold but not cold enough to freeze the water in ya tank like

you even type in geordie love lol (sorry a little off topic there)

right back on topic shed with insulation sorry summer house with insulation lol
i really like this one imagine your tank along that back wall and you can still see it when its all closed up
[URL="http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/THE-CONCEPT-12-X-10-...bayphotohosting"]http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/THE-CONCEPT-12-X-10-...bayphotohosting[/URL]

yeah i noticed that and it made me laugh too

 

[forby3]

hi forby3
im a cavity wall installer by trade mate so build ya shed and use kingspan for the insulation
should stay warm enough in ya shed i mean it will stil be cold but not cold enough to freeze the water in ya tank like

you even type in geordie love lol (sorry a little off topic there)

right back on topic shed with insulation sorry summer house with insulation lol
i really like this one imagine your tank along that back wall and you can still see it when its all closed up
<a href="http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/THE-CONCEPT-12-X-10-...bayphotohosting" target="_blank">http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/THE-CONCEPT-12-X-10-...bayphotohosting</a>

yeah i noticed that and it made me laugh too

ha ha wey i of corse i do lol nowt wrong wif that is there lol

 

[MHunt]

Ok, still thinking about the outside option, I think i'll just insulate during winter to protect the glass, what kind of filter flow would I need, I calculate it to about 640 litres or 170 gal. What kind of turnover would you normally recommend for a pond?

 

[saltynay]

If your solar powered heater idea comes to fruition you won't need to worry as much about frost..... Is there anyway you could put it half in the house half outside? I have only seen it done with tanks on internal walls but the effect of seeing between rooms through a fish tank is very nice and it could be the same with looking outdoors. Then the heat of your house plus a little heater in the tank can keep it frost free and you can power a filter through traditional means.

 

[saph.st24]

Ok, still thinking about the outside option, I think i'll just insulate during winter to protect the glass, what kind of filter flow would I need, I calculate it to about 640 litres or 170 gal. What kind of turnover would you normally recommend for a pond?

for pond turn over is once every two hours ideally

and forby3 there is nothing wrong with typing in geordie it just made me laugh just be glad i dont type in leigther