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08/07/2014, 02:44 PM | #1 |
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10' Pond Build
I have been planning to do this for some time, and my schedule has finally allowed me to start getting things going.
I have to preface this thread by saying that this is definitely not a cheap/easy means for having a relatively large system. My reason for going with a pond is that I really enjoy the top down viewing perspective. I looked at a lot of different options, and decided on a 10' round intex metal frame pool with an additional 45 mil epdm pond liner. I plan on doing the insulation this weekend, but wanted to set the pool up first so that I could get an idea of how it will look in the space that I intend for it to go. I'll update with more pics as I go along. Thanks for looking! |
08/07/2014, 02:45 PM | #2 |
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love it....good luck!
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08/07/2014, 03:11 PM | #3 |
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What are you planning to put in the pond?
Also approximate what is it's volume (how many gallons)?
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Bigger is better, especially when it comes to shark tanks. Last edited by krj-1168; 08/07/2014 at 03:21 PM. |
08/07/2014, 05:03 PM | #4 | |
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Quote:
The volume of the pool filled to about 6" from the top is roughly 1200 gallons. To start with, I'm going to plumb in a 150 gallon sump, and a 50 gallon container for equipment such as the skimmer. This will be about 1400 gallons in total. I left lots of space to add additional tubs as needed. As for what I plan to put in, I currently have a juvie Queen Angel (3"), Maculosus Angel (5"), Aussie Harlequin Tusk, and a pair of Green Bird Wrasse which I'm sure will appreciate the extra space! I would eventually like to attempt keeping some of the larger angel species in pairs, and have been spending a good amount of time searching the forums looking at other RC member's experiences in doing so. |
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08/07/2014, 08:02 PM | #5 |
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Following along. How do you plan on accessing something in the middle of that 10ft pond?
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Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs |
08/07/2014, 08:25 PM | #6 | |
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Looking forward to watching this progress. Good luck!
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Dave. "I have learned all kinds of things from my many mistakes. The one thing I never learn is to stop making them." --Nicomo Cosca. Current Tank Info: 225 mixed w/ 225 sump 550 lbs live rock,3x MarinePure ceramic blocks,Skimz SM201,Geo 618 CR,Vectra L1,DOS automatic water changes,3x 250w MH w/ 4x actinic T5,All ran by Apex thru Fusion.--57 community tank w/ OR T-247,120 nem tank. |
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08/07/2014, 08:45 PM | #7 |
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im in! looks awesome!!!!
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Steve Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank?????? Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux |
08/07/2014, 10:38 PM | #8 |
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Funny - one of my current tanks is pretty shallow at 10" and even though I hated it at first, I've really grown to like the top-down view. Best of luck on this project - can't wait to see it progress.
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Happy Reefing |
08/08/2014, 05:28 AM | #9 |
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You'll like that pool a lot. I have a 1200 gallon Intex for holding sharks at my place - but with PVC instead of the metal frame. Those liners are tough.
For a cost effective biological set up, I'd suggest a large Rubbermaid trash can full of bioballs on a platform next to the edge. You can let it gravity feed back into the pool. It will also be a great way to provide a de-gas/off-gas area without the need to have the surface moving so much that you can't see down into the display area.
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Real tanks require a wetsuit to clean. |
08/08/2014, 07:45 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs |
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08/08/2014, 09:15 AM | #11 | |
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The pool looks good. The window there is pretty cool. If humidity builds up you can throw an exust fan in the window. |
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08/08/2014, 09:21 AM | #12 | |
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08/08/2014, 09:22 AM | #13 | |
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Quote:
__________________
Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs |
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08/08/2014, 09:36 AM | #14 | ||
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Quote:
I swapped it. Some of their pools have the PVC option for bracing. Quote:
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Real tanks require a wetsuit to clean. |
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08/08/2014, 11:23 AM | #15 | |
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Quote:
__________________
Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs |
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08/08/2014, 12:01 PM | #16 |
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08/08/2014, 03:23 PM | #17 | |
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08/08/2014, 03:36 PM | #18 | |
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08/08/2014, 04:11 PM | #19 |
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I got the insulation and liner installed today. Was going to do it this weekend but I managed to finish what I needed to at work, and was able to start my weekend early.
First I put in a layer of 1/4" foam board underneath the pool. I had originally planned to go with something a little thicker, but thought that the pool might not sit right if I had done so. I'm going to trim the excess board away once the pool is filled. The next step was to insulate the walls with 6" thick fiberglass insulation. I'm sure this will be compacted down to next to nothing once the pond is filled. Because the underlaying foam board is so thin, I went ahead and put a layer on the bottom as well. (Once the liner is in place, it should be water tight). Finally the liner. 45 mil liners are heavy (this particular one is 110 lbs), so I had a buddy help out as not to just drag the pool around trying to do it myself. We got the liner centered in the pool as best we could. I am going to play around with where I want the creases to be as I fill it up. Here's a pic of the 150 and 50 gallon rubbermaid stock tanks which will be the sump/refugium, and where the skimmer and other equipment will go. My next step is going to build the stands, and get them in place and plumbed. I probably won't have any major updates over the next couple weeks as I promised my wife that I would get to a couple other projects around the house first. She's been great about my little basement project, so I'm more than happy to oblige! |
08/08/2014, 04:26 PM | #20 | |
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08/29/2014, 08:23 AM | #21 |
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Made a little progress. I decided to fill the pool with FW before placing any equipment to be sure that the size/shape didn't change once filled. Because of the fiberglass insulation, I had a lot of wrinkles at the bottom as the weight of the water compacted the insulation creating air pockets beneath the liner. I was able to sort this out with a rolling pin once the pool filled to about 5" and the water pressure was enough to keep it flat.
I also built a stand for the main (150g) sump using 2X4's, concrete blocks, and rigid insulation that I had left over from underneath the pool. Next step is to drill the holes for 2" bulkheads which will be my return. I plan on adding 800 lbs of aragonite sand (fine). Any thoughts on whether I should drain the pool and add the sand first, or add it to a filled pool and leave the equipment off for a few days until it clears up a litte? I'm not quite to this step yet, just trying to plan ahead... |
08/29/2014, 08:37 AM | #22 |
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I love this build! Thanks for the pictures and updates.
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Matt Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder Quarantine Tank, 240 Miracles Finally up and running, 29 Biocube - AI Nano |
08/29/2014, 09:03 AM | #23 |
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I don't know why you couldn't add it while it's full of water - it might be a little messier but it's going to cloud up regardless.
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08/29/2014, 09:06 AM | #24 |
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08/29/2014, 09:12 AM | #25 | |
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temp/salinity is spot on, then I would add the sand.
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100g long FOWLR , 38g sump, WM AS150 Skimmer, 80 lbs LR, LED lighting (165w X2) |
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