Outdoor Tank Possible?

[phippsj]

I have been contemplating this for a while, so please don't think I am too crazy!

I am building a 30' x 45' outdoor kitchen / dinning area. It will have a woodfire oven, a grill, and an open paella pit. I was thinking of making the entire underportion of the counter a reef tank, which would be around 650 gallons if I did the math right. The sides would be covered and only removed when we were sitting out there, such as in the evening or night.

The challenge is to figure out how to get an efficient insulation system to keep the undercounter cool enough that a chiller / heater could keep the system environmentally controlled.

Anybody have any thoughts? Could it actually be done?

[ErikH]

Acrylic is a good insulator.... You would need a really big chiller.

It can be done, look at seaworld.

[Jarob]

That sounds awesome! Im sure its possible but probably a lot of work with the heat index in the 100's everyday! Maybe keep a large sump indoors where its cooler?

[hobogato]

or you could look into geothermal cooling...

[ErikH]

or you could look into geothermal cooling...


goooooooooood idea!

[chunkymonkey]

You'll see significant cooling in a shaded area vs direct sunlight obviously. Maybe try testing on a small scale just for the concept? Like simulating with a 50-100gal loaner tank filled with water, covered as you stated and monitor temps?...Then, remove covers and see how the temp fluctuates and how fast, determining how a chiller would perform. Then on the flip side for the rare one month of winter, that'll be more interesting....

[Europhyllia]

sounds awesome. Expensive but awesome.

[chunkymonkey]

clearly.....and I mean CLEARY, I know what has to be done.
I must assemble a team of experts carefully selected in a reckless manner without a maximum occupant total while requiring max total like characteristics to deliberate at you place before construction while commenting over random topics nursing beverages of choice at which time you shall submit your plans for our approval while we subject you to our commentary and suggestions as if we were building seaworld in our backyard with rediculous suggestions to which you knod your head. After completion at which time none of us want to assist in build(just kidding) we will all want to participate in the "blessing" of the project and listen to everyone chime in on what was their idea or what they would have done...

lol...I think that sounds pretty darn official or close to how these things seem to work out, lol


Keep us posted, I'd love to see how this progresses, I've never seen something like it before!

[phippsj]

I was thinking of a 8' x 36"(h) x 24"(d) display. The sump would then be dug into the ground below and have the same water volume (so the top of the sump would be 2" below ground surface). Filtration (skimming, etc) would be done in a compartment to the side of the display. Insulation on top would be 18", sides could each be 12". I just don't know if that is enough to keep swings controllable. I guess at this point, I just need to do a small test case and see. I was kinda hoping we had some koi enthusiast here and that they could chime in :)

[hobogato]

i have a pond that is about 1000 gallons, and it doesnt get very hot at all. it is also in about half sun. it is partially in the ground (like your sump idea) and i think that helps quite a bit. just be sure to plan for rain runoff and how to keep it out of your sump since it will be below ground

[txav8r]

Good point Ace. I think most of the heat we see in aquariums comes from pumps and lights operating in a rather small volume of water. I've go a 600 gallon tank stock tank in the back yard that stays reasonably cool. it's in partial sun and has one pump running in it.

If I can remember, I'll check the temp when I get home and post it here.

[chunkymonkey]

I was just concerned about heat with the glass/acrylic, if maybe would contribute or boot heat.

[jc]

What about flying debris from lawn mowers and edgers?

[Squiers007]

Would this be a fish only aquarium or are you planning to keep corals? If you are going to keep corals do you plan on just using natural light?

[medi]

It can definitely be done. Check out this awesome build thread. I know it is a lot bigger than yours, but maybe you can get some ideas of what to expect.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783997&highlight=19+000

[phippsj]

It can definitely be done. Check out this awesome build thread. I know it is a lot bigger than yours, but maybe you can get some ideas of what to expect.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783997&highlight=19+000

Cool find, but I think filtering in ocean water makes temp control quite a bit easier. Kind like cheating :)

Regarding grass clippings, etc, the top would not be open. It is essentially the undercounter portion, so the top would actually be a counter. I'll get more serious about athestics if I can convince myself that this is realistically feasible. Right now, I think it is. If there is coral in it, it will be hardy stuff (hey, maybe my Texas Trash Paly's will have a new home!) I would likely keep very hardy fish in it as well... in fact, perhaps a vivid color, all damsel tank.

Natural sunlight would be idea for lighting, and then just supplement (much like Ace did with solar tubes). However, I have to be concerned about heat. If there is too much temp variance, then I will just go with LED.

[Kristy]

It can definitely be done... love to see you do it! Hopefully you can find a way that is not cost prohibitive. We saw several outdoor SW aquariums at the Waikiki Aquarium. Here is a link and description of the biggest one:
http://www.waquarium.org/edge-of-the-reef.html

[kkiel02]

I would go acrylic as I dont know how silicone + sunlight would work over time. I would also run some pvc through the ground for the geothermal cooling/heating like Ace mentioned. I say go for it and if its successful help me build one. lol

[jpond83]

I found this one a while back ago

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1095596&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

[phippsj]

I found this one a while back ago

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1095596&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Thanks!