5000L Tank

Hi all,

I need some help from you guys and where better to ask than TASA!!!

OK i got a friend whose busy building a 5000L tank beneath his bar and he asked me to help him set it up (yippeee). So since i never did something this big i would really appreciate some help on this project. So i have a few question, what type of filtration will work best for this kind of setup, how many heaters and what size heaters wil be best and will i be able to use normal t5 lights. He is not sure what fish to put in the tank so i suggested to go with a malawi tank, what do you guys think?

Thanks all

Here is a plain sketch of the tank with sizes

 

Hi Gerrit, not sure about the filtration but I think you will probably need about 5-6x 300watt Jager heaters. Just make sure to position them in strong water flow...

Also if this tank is going to be under the bar counter, you are going to need some way of protecting the tank from being damaged by people sitting at the counter...

 

Thats big. There use to be a guesthouse here that had a 3000lt malawi tank and the guy had a swimming pool filter on the system. I would say you would need a filter that has the capability of filtering 5 to 6 times the volume of water per hour.


What glass thickness is he going to use?

 

@Gerrit - Is this a private bar at his home or is it going to be at a business with lots of people around it. If it is a public bar I do not think the fish will appreciate it. It is a nice idea, but people banging against the sides of the tank as well as drinks being put down on the top of the tank will freak the fish out totally. There is normally loud music played and this will probably also upset the fish. So just think carefully before spending the money.

 

+1 to what @AquaS said. Some good advice there.

You would need to think long and hard about everything before making any decisions.

Get in touch with @Altum
He built my 6ft tank and can advise you accordingly.

 

On a 5000l tank you can go big. Have a few giant gouramis or even a few oscars in there.

I'd agree with the pool pump / filter idea. The only problem is to get all the pipework by the tank.
Will one side be against a outside wall?? Then drill through to the outside and you can have a HUGE filter.

What is the thickness of the glass his is planning on using? I'd go for nothing under 20mm.
Bracing in all the corners and bracing over the top is also recommended.

 

Thanks for all the feedback

Hi Singhms the tank's base will be 50cm from the floor so hopefully that will help the tank from damage.

Hi Shakes the glass will be 20mm re-inforced.

Hi AquaS it is a private bar at his house. Actually his place is absolutely beautiful, the bar is under a lapa next to his huge koi pond.

Hi Ace007, yes the one side will be on the outside wall and the glass thickness will be 20mm.

Thanks again for all the replys

 

Hi @Gerrit I might have a heater system that would work for that size tank.

 

Hi Willem PM sent

 

If it's outdoors you could use nice big filters like the types they have on Koi ponds, speak to @azurekoi he's sure to have some ideas and I believe he's dealt with tanks this size. I'd also recommend a solar heater for the water, and if the guy is going with 20mm glass already, he's got the money to shell out for a decent solar setup with a computerized controller. It will save a lot of money in the long run even with electrical heaters as backup (or a heat pump, which would suit a setup of this size much better). He should also try to take advantage of as much natural sunlight as possible. The main issue I can see with a setup like this is maintenance. How do you access a tank that's under a bar counter? And don't forget the hassle of water changes on a system this size. It would be the perfect candidate for an automated water change or topup system.