1000 gallon aquarium info needed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 12-13-2002, 09:42 PM

Hello,

I have the opportunity to purchase a 1000 gallon custom acrylic aquarium for $3000 USD. Tank only, NO pumps, stand, etc.

I have never owned anything of this size yet. Is this a good deal? How long do acrylics last? I am assuming since its plastic like material i dont know if it will fade/become cloudy after a few years and i have to throw it away.

What kind of pumps, filters, etc.?

Any information will be appreciated.

That Guy · #2 12-16-2002, 12:52 PM

It's largely dependent on your intended use. Generally acrylic aquariums can last a very very long time. I haven't checked prices in a while but 3k doesn't sound out of line. Acrylic is a lot sturdier than the glass counterpart but can also be scratched easier.

Are you trying to start a fresh or saltwater? Personally I recommend salt especially with an aquarium that size, but the expense is much greater. As far as pumps, filters, lights etc., it is largely dependent on Fresh or salt and what creatures your trying to keep.

Lebenz · #3 12-16-2002, 01:27 PM

I don't know about the cost, but that aside, in the event you haven't thought of it, a 1,000 gallon tank will weigh about as much as 2 Mercedes. Be absolutely sure the floor and building can withstand that much weight in a fairly small area. I would also be more than a little concerned about the ability of the acrylic to withstand what would be a lot of pressure in the event of an inadvertent impact. Plus, if you keep warm water fish in it, you will probably need an air conditioner to off-set the effects of the thermal mass

What are the dimensions of this monster?

DALE DORIA · #4 12-16-2002, 03:53 PM

A 1000 gallon tank is going to require a very sturdy floor and is going to be A-LOT OF WORK! As stated you need to research what type of fish you want and how you can daily care for them. With a tank this size.......it would be a beautiful salt water environment for all kinds of creatures and not just limited to fish. However, your filtration system is going to be critical as well as the water temp. What is the size of this? I definately would look into the time/cost factor and how much of these you can invest.

#5 12-16-2002, 05:40 PM

Thank you for the replies.

As for now, the owner has it as a salt water setup, but I want to do freshwater.

I have never done, and not interested in salt water. I might but doubtful.

I will do a freshwater setup with arowanas and other "exotic" freshwater fish. I would really want a red arowana but cant find them.

The floor will not be a problem because my office is concerete floor and if i dont want it there i can put it in the basement of my house.

I just dont know how much the stand, pumps, and the dozens of assesories will cost and it sounds like a full time job keeping this monster up and running. From what i read and heard so far, having a complete setup like this can cost $20,000 or more assuming all new stuff and saltwater setup with saltwater fish. I mean i enjoy my new hobbie with aquariums but not that much $,lol.

The dimensions are 8 feet long, 4 feet wide and 3 feet tall. JUST THE TANK SIZE. I figure after a custom stand is made, etc. it will be taller than a person.

Q-Ball · #6 12-16-2002, 05:41 PM

A 1,000 gallon aquarium is HUGE. Sounds as if you may not already have experience with maintaining a system, yet alone one of this size. You may consider something smaller, or having someone take care of it full-time. You can easily spend another 2-5k in pumps, filters, lights, and coral's. Usually 300-500 gallons is a manageable size for home use, with a bit of effort, larger than that, have someone take care of it.

Research it!!

sixto · #7 12-16-2002, 08:10 PM

I used to rent a room from a coworker who had a 300 gallon salt water tank. It was bigger than the typical big screen TV. There was always something worth watching in the tank. Minor service took most of his Saturday. Major service took several days. It's a great thing to have at home when someone else takes care of it.

Isn't a 1000 gallon aquarium called a fishpond?

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

dtanesq · #8 12-16-2002, 09:09 PM

Johnson -

The place where I do all of my tropical fish stuff has a 2000 gallon acrylic setup for freshwater. They had to break the entire system down to "buff" the inside of the aquarium. I don't know what caused the deterioration of the material, but once it was buffed out (there was literally a guy standing inside the aquarium with a buffer on an electric drill), it was much clearer.

The filtering system they use is essentially a huge wet/dry system - it must pump a zillion gallons an hour (and must be incredibly noisy - one can't tell because of the other acquariums in the place). You could consider looking into a modification of the filtration systems outdoor pond enthusiasts use.

Aside from the specifics of a floor which could hold such a thing, I would only consider an aquarium the size of the one you mentioned if I could custom build something for the filtration system. I'm serious. Moving enough water through enough media to keep the water in that large a tank reasonably clean for the fish is going to be loud!

Finally, isn't trading red arrowanas for home aquarium use illegal, or am I confusing reds with another variety of the same species?

Have fun!

#9 12-17-2002, 06:08 AM

David: as far as red arowanas or any "asian species" of the arowana, i HEARD its illegal but not sure. I have had people tell me its legal and i have had people tell me its illegal. I THINK you have to buy them from a registered breeder and the fish has to have the microchip inserted into its body for scanning and registeration then its legal. I found some websites for importing it from sinapore or malasia but they are out of my price range. Its a minimum order of $10,000 NOT INCLUDING; shipping and handling, paperwork, taxes, and misc stuff.

The owner of this aquarium said you CANNOT reach down and touch the insides of the tank when cleaning. You have to have tongs or somekind of device to rearrange the rocks in the tank cause its so tall your arms wouldnt be able to reach the bottom.

The last thing i would want to do is purchase this aquarium and not have enough time and energy to set it up, and do things properly, i will have one big mess on my hands (if it leaks i mean that statement literally, lol). But on the otherhand, its a steal from what i read cause a custom made aquarium (just the tank alone) of this size costs $15,000-$25,000 so i am getting it at a fraction of the cost and dont want this deal to slip past me.

dtanesq · #10 12-17-2002, 05:07 PM

I wouldn't be too worried about an acrylic aquarium failing on me. I can't remember precisely what the factor is, but that plastic is WAY more sturdy than glass. It's flexible, you know. I've got two acrylic aquariums that I use on a regular basis and they're tough as nails. I moved recently and one of my macho helper friends somehow lifted it, with all of the sand still in it, from a support brace across the top. I saw this happening and was sure it was going to break. Nothing. It's got very happy Oscars in it now.

Have a great time if you get it.

That Guy · #11 12-18-2002, 02:55 PM

Obviously this depends on how much bioload, but the greater volume of water in a 1K gallon tank can more easily break down waste and absorb shocks to the system making it much less troublesome than a 10 gallon RELATIVELY. Clearly there is more tank to clean (algae removal and so on) and more water to change (periodic water changing is necessary) but the need to do so is less frequent.

Freshwater eh?.... That's a shame. In your case you will also need a sump (can use very cheap large plastic container for this hidden in a stand). You could easily buy filter media in bulk and place that in the sump along with activated carbon. A single return pump (big) would be all that is required, but I would recommend a couple of other powerheads to promote circulation within the tank. Get a pleco (fish) to eat any algae that may grow on the glass.

Do you want to have live plants in it? If so count on spending some money on lights, but nothing anywhere near as high as you would spend on a salt/coral setup.

dtanesq · #12 12-19-2002, 09:03 PM

TG - Great point about the volume of water and biowaste! I forgot about that.

#13 12-19-2002, 09:23 PM

Thanks for pointing out the biowaste and change info, that was a concern of mine as well.

As far as the fish in there, they will be definetly meat eaters of some type, whether arowana or piranhas, i figure it will get messy and smellier than lets say goldfish or other veggie eaters.

Right now i am experimenting with my 5 piranhas and i found out that hertz bloodworms cause a "film" on the insides of the tank causing me having to clean it every 3 days or so, also freeze dried shrimp clogs the filter and floats to the bottom and requires frequent cleaning.

The cleanest method i found so far is attaching a shrimp to a string and letting them nibble on it and pull out the remains.

If i had to clean this 1000 gallon aquarium on a weekly basis then i doubt i have the time to maintain it or will have to pay someone to do it.

After finals are over, i am going to check out some pet shops and see what kind of lighting, sumps, etc. to get and go from there.

oh, yes i do plan on using live plants. Any idea of how long this tank will last?