Nature Center Tank Build

[txstateunivreefer]

Ok so plans have changed. i talked to snake who developed the hiatt filter and for the system.
I decided to make the touch tank a stand alone system that will run on hiatt carbon tubes and a mechanical canister filter on somewhat of a closed loop. this will fufill the request of my supervisor, she wanted the touch tank to be mobile so we could wheel it into the classroom for a program.

the best news that i got was i called our accounting office to ask if i could purchase used goods or goods off of ebay craigslist maast marsh etc. they said yes so that means that i have the possiblillity of getting the items that i would need to make a large display at a lower cost. i reported this to my supervisor, instead of saying thats good she said build it bigger.

so now here is the plan the room is 31 ft across the tank and touch tank will be self standing displays in the middle of a room that can be walked around entirely without view obstruction. now the plan with the tank is to make it look like a section right out of the bay or gulf. we are going to stage it as it would look under a dock. because of this we will have 4 pylons, one running up each corner which will support the dock above the tank the stand will be adorned with oyster shells etc to make it fit in. the tank will have a width of 30 to match the touch tank width since they will be side by side in the middle of the room. i want it to be 30 in tall so that all of the fish have plenty of room to swim around. now where to put the overflows? my idea so far is to hide them behind the pylons which will have a quarter taken out of them so that they will go flush up against the tank. that way the tank can be viewed from all 4 sides. as far as stock goes it will be blue crabs for the clean up crew and the fish will rotate throughout the year and will be red fish, mullet, trout, sheepshead etc.

so first step is to try to find a tank. any tanks are game if they are big the dimensions are flex able but im looking to get something that will be 72"+ x ~30" x ~30" if you see something like these anywhere and we end up getting it i will give and ship you a frag pack from my personal tank. (glasscages doesnt count).

if there are any questions let me know.

[blueboy]

you could always go with center overflows. you could still hide them in the pylons, and it makes for nice swimming space for those big fish your putting in there.

[txstateunivreefer]

yup thats the back up plan but im willing to go either way.

[majesticreefs]

Chris,

This is Robert/Majesticreefs, I've spoke with your last week on your plan before I ask snake to give you a call. Based on what I read here, are you still plan to use the Hiatt system as a filtration? If you are I need to point out with the Hiatt system the water come out on top then drain out in the bottom, so there is no need for a overflow because overflow drains the water from the top.

[Richard]

Older post but if you are still in the process of setting this tank up let me know. I have some extra torpedo canisters that I can give you a good deal on. Both the small ones which hold around 10 lbs of carbon and I also have some big ones (around 4' tall) that can hold up to 55 lbs of carbon.