Some of the tanks/pools...

Rbacchiega · #1 01-20-2009, 08:37 PM

The initial pump that came with the pool was replaced when I bought the two tub filters. I ended up switching them to two Red Dragon pumps...I think 8.2's (one of the most expensive parts of this project actually)...If they weren't so damned expensive I would use them on every tank I own...love the pump and for larger setups you just can't beat em!

Rbacchiega · #2 01-20-2009, 10:06 PM

we built a step up deck/viewing area that went around about half of the shark poon and completely around the gar pond. It's really nice on a hot summer night to head into the quanset, have a beer and watch the sharks. Get the barbeque going and get those steaks grilled...yum. Anyways, back to the projects..

When we bought the quanset it was orriginally being used as a mechanical garage. There was a pit dug measuring roughly 10 feet long by 4 feet wide and about 5 feet deep. This works out to just under 1400 gallons. We'd been talking about a large pond for a long time and knew that when we initially bought the property we would be adding at least one here. (We now actually have a koi pond out by a shadded area with a swing chair...quite pretty actually) Since we were redoing alot of the plumbing under the quanset anyways, we dug a trench so that I could run 2 2" pvc lines up into a filter.

In order to accomplish this I pretty much built a fake floor in the bottom of the pit, about 4 inches off the actual bottom. In the floor are two drains similar to what alot of people have in their fish rooms. The rest of the pond was built as anyone would do with their normal out door ponds. We did use 1" styrofoam to help insulate and then pond liner and then epoxy. We used a very dark one, which now that I see it all the time, I wish we could have found something that didn't dry so dark.

Before we even added water I knew it was going to be too deep to even consider seeing my rays...what to do?

Pretty simple really. Build a shallow end! I wish we could have done it gradual, but for ease we pretty much just made a 5 foot section of the tank only 2.5-3 feet deep. The rays use the entire tank, but know when the lights go on to head to that end...it's feeding time.

Considering gars and rays don't necessarily enjoy overly well lit areas, I needed to get something that would still allow me to see the fish (otherwise, what's the point?!) but not be so bright as to bother them. We ended up going with lights that you would normally see in buildings (with 4 t8 or 12 bulbs in them) and suspending 4 of them above the tank. There is still some glare off the surface, but not enough to distort the view.

That pond currently houses a shoal of 8 Florida/Spotted gars, ranging in size from 20-24" and a trio of Motoro rays, the largest has a disc span of approximately 18" the last time I tried to measure.

Heat is again provided via a inline propane heater. Best investment for these two setups. EVER.

karazy · #3 01-20-2009, 10:44 PM

really cool! i was actualy going to send you a message bout your ponds and tanks today

i really hope you aren't in Toronto for too much longer.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #4 01-20-2009, 10:49 PM

Wow! Sounds amazing. Can't wait to see pictures.

Delphinus · #5 01-20-2009, 11:56 PM

I think I'm in the wrong line of work. Tattoo artist? Need an apprentice? I can't draw though. Is that going to be a problem?

Errr, I mean .. I can't wait to see the pictures. Hurry home.

baker_jeff · #6 01-21-2009, 12:18 AM

Sounds amazing! Also excited for pics

Rbacchiega · #7 01-21-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I think I'm in the wrong line of work. Tattoo artist? Need an apprentice? I can't draw though. Is that going to be a problem?

Errr, I mean .. I can't wait to see the pictures. Hurry home.

Tattooing is my passion Tony, but not how I made the majority of my money. There's an old thread in the lounge somewhere where I touch it a little....buying and selling homes and properties wisely as well as a successful buisness that was owned by the other half (who recently sold it to his nephew) is where it all started...

bignose · #8 01-21-2009, 01:30 AM

I can't wait to see your pictures. Is there alot of time involved with maintaining a pool tank? I thought my small tank was alot of work

Rbacchiega · #9 01-21-2009, 01:50 AM

not as much as you'd imagine. If you set everything up right it can be really easy. I have a large ro/di unit that puts out roughly 100gpd and collects in two big bins with constant water movement. One bin then goes to the salt mixing bin and the other bin of ro water goes straight into the gar pond when I need to.

Which reminds me.

The way the filters are set up for both tanks I just turn some ball valves and it trains out towards the back of the quanset where no body needs to worry about it but the coyotes.

On the shark tank I do water changes every 2nd week. All three of the sharks are up around 2ft long now, which is close to full size, but being that they are the only things in the tank there isn't a whole helluva lot of bio load believe it or not.

The gar tank is merely topped up when I feel it's getting low (hahaha SO LAZY). Because the pond is constantly draining from the bottom the dirtiest water is being dealt with right away.

I can't guarantee that my half-assed approach to things would work for others though...I seem to be lucky in that way LOL