450 G shark/ray tank build

[mitzel]

Ok I'm moving the discusion over here to the aggressive forums where most of us post any way.I had really hi jacked the building a200gallon thread over in the DIY . I don't want to take anything away from that awsome tutorial, so We will let that one get back on track. and let the madness begin in here. Please lets try to keep the stocking list suggestions minimal as I would really like this thread to help the people that are thinking of building a larger aggressive tank to achive this.
The plan is for a 450 gallon shark/ray tank.Here are some of the numbers that I have crunched over at -- .
Ok I set down and plugged in some numbers and this is what I got from --
Using the following input parameters
Tank Length = 94.5 inches
Tank Width = 48 inches
Tank Height = 23.125 inches
Tank volume is calculated as
Tank Volume = 454.1 Gallons
The sumps and over flows were figured on the idea that there would be two sumps one refuge and three over flows. This might change as soon as I get into the auto top off system. If I can rig it so one auto top off system will service all three thats what the plan is. other wise I'll go to one sump one refuge and a topoff for each.
Using the following input parameters
Tank Length = 94.5 inches
Tank Width = 48 inches
Tank Height = 23.125 inches
Tank volume is calculated as
Tank Volume = 454.1 Gallons
Using the following input parameters
Tank Length = 94.5 inches
Tank Width = 48 inches
Height of Water above Overflow = 2 inches
Flow through sump = 2400 gph x 2 = 4800 gph about 10.75 times tank turn over thru sumps
Sump volume is calculated as
Sump Volume need to handle tank overflow = 39.3 Gallons x3
Recommended Minimum Volume for sump = 63.3 Gallons x3
Using the following input parameters
Gallons per Hour = 2400 per sump
Drain and Overflow sizes are calculated as
Recommended minimum drain pipe diameter = 2.02 inches
Recommended minimum linear overflow size = 36 inches
As soon as I get a better idea of the plumbing and can work the numbers I'll update
Tim you had asked about the deminsions I'm glade you brought this up as I was using inside for the Lxw and with out even thining of it I was using the out side for the depth . I'll go back and hash the numbers and edit this post.
Note to all: Any time a number is changed as far as calculation go . I will edit this post . this will keep the right information in the first post of the thread. this will save searching thru to find the right numbers/ formulas.
updated 1/3/06 1:47 pm

 

[dme]

mitzel, I will first say that I once had a shark and ray tank and it was somewhat larger then 2500 gals for as for you in asking to a suggestive list for your 450 gals system, you must also know that you are for more limited to what inhabitants to can go with for even when I had my system for so many years before my injury, I was still however limited to which inhabitants I can gone with.
For now you are talking about the fantasy to house sharks in a 450 gal tank, this is not realistic in your thinking for the only sharks you can house in that tank are cat sharks.
For I would ask you what sharks is it that you an idea on in having in this tank, but you where asking others for that suggestion.
Buddy

 

[mitzel]

Hey buddy.
Thanks for the conceren. Let me put to rest your fears . This tank is only ment for cat sharks as you said. My stock list ideas are 1 maybe 2 sharks . both cats . a coral cat and a bamboo or epulatte. And at most 2-3 rays. either yellow or cortez. and a purple tang as far as other fish they would only consist of smaller less agresive fish such as chromis (this would only be to add movementin the tank) . Depending on how things are working out I might transfer my snow flake eels over to this tank in the future but this is not a given at this time. In my opinion this is already pushing the stocking limits of this size tank.

 

[jr2857]

why don't you get a pair of bamboos and try and breed em. in about 3 years you can get all the $$$ you bought for the tank

 

[jcrim]

My stocking suggestions... 3 leopard sharks, 2 blacktips, about 20 moorish idols, 10 pinnatus batfish, a manta ray (yah those are cool), and a sand tiger shark. Oh yah, throw a bull shark in there too.

 

[jr2857]

Originally Posted by jcrim
My stocking suggestions... 3 leopard sharks, 2 blacktips, about 20 moorish idols, 10 pinnatus batfish, a manta ray (yah those are cool), and a sand tiger shark. Oh yah, throw a bull shark in there too.

lol

 

[mitzel]

Originally Posted by jr2857
why don't you get a pair of bamboos and try and breed em. in about 3 years you can get all the $$$ you bought for the tank
NO.

take a minute to read the post ,Stop and let it sink in where I said to keep the stock list discusion to a minimum. I replied to DME just to keep the records clear as to my plans. Please from here out leave the stocking list alone . If you really feel the need to talk about stocking list theres at least half a dozen various threads to that fact posted in the last month. Post in them please.

Originally Posted by jcrim
My stocking suggestions... 3 leopard sharks, 2 blacktips, about 20 moorish idols, 10 pinnatus batfish, a manta ray (yah those are cool), and a sand tiger shark. Oh yah, throw a bull shark in there too.

Your just jelious because you know whats going in tank number 1 . MR garibaldi! :scared:
But seriously lets keep this on track, I want this to be a good solid account of a home built tank . One that can be referenced by others in the future.

 

[madman133]

any updates?

 

[mitzel]

the update is no new news. I have been hashing out some ideas with tim via E mails . It seams the further we dig in the more problems there are to deal with. I'm trying to work out some ideas for the plumbing and filtering . I wanna keep it all hiden . But were still trying to lock down deminsions and over flows and sump and refuges.

 

[madman133]

you got my email if you need help with anything but i may be a little slow to reply during the week

 

[grmreapr]

ok this is gonna be a little out there but have you ever thought of going to like an aqurium and asking what they use for filtration methods just a thought cause I cant think of much else that will give you the cleaning power you should need. I dont know though you could just make another seperate tank for a sump/refuge or make a really really big wet/dry

 

[saltfan]

Sump problem solved. Use a 100 gallon tank for a sump. I dont' know how you have the under side built or even if it will fit. Other outlet is to have the tank near your garage so you can plumb it all it all into there and have all your filter gear there. Filter Pumps, your going to have to go with POOL pumps, they have the large capacity flow that you are looking for. 8 power heads with flow rates of no less than 800gph inside tank with 900 pounds of LR. This sounds about right to me. Should be all set. Your auto fills for the sump, er sumps will all need to be solenoid operated with valves, not a big deal and you can set it up to operate as many heads as you would like. But I think that one 100 gallon tank you do the trick nicely.

 

[saltfan]

Been thinking about the filtering too. You could go with 4 of 1-1/4 pvc from the tank bottom, unless its not drilled, then I'd go with 4 1600gph overflows into the sump, get yourself a 4000gph pump to return it.