400 + gal. in wall fish tank

[RobTheCableGuy]

I have two windows side by side in my computer room that have a great view of my garage that i just built. The windows have to come out and i was thinking what a great place to put an in wall fish tank. The size of the tank i am thinking of building is 48 in high, 81 inches wide and 24 in long, that will make the tank about 403 gallons. I am going to have the garage heated, that should help keep the tank temp steady in the winter.
The questions for everyone is 1) where can i get a custom tank at a good price the one quote i got was over $3000 just for the tank. 2) What should i use to heat a tank this size and what kind of filter is used on a 400 + gal tank?
This will be a fresh water tank because after i build it I think ill be too poor to buy salt water fish.

 

[1979camaro]

thats a big tank...it isnt going to be cheap anywhere you go...thick glass and whatnot

 

[FroggyFox]

Well you built a garage...how about a DIY tank? You might very well be able to do it for yourself cheaper than paying someone to make a custom one for you. PLUS on the construction side a 400 gallon tank could easily weigh a couple tons...so it would have to be a very well built/well thought out support structure.

I'm sure it would look AWESOME if you got it done! Keep us up to speed with it.

 

[PDM]

Consider this! A plywood tank.

 

[RobTheCableGuy]

Has anyone built a plywood tank, and how did it turn out?


I looked it up and a gallon of water weighs about 8 pounds, so my 403gallon tank should weigh about 3224 pounds and thats just the water.

My father inlaw builds houses and he will help build the stand and enclouser.

 

[FroggyFox]

yep...thats just the water...don't forget gravel/rock whatever you want to decorate with, the actual weight of the glass...I figure that could easily get up to several hundred pounds that would get you to right around 2 tons (a ton is 2000 pounds right?!)

Pretty sure a plywood tank would turn out um....soggy

 

[RobTheCableGuy]

What if i made a plywood tank and lined it with quarter inch acrylic and used one inch for the front?

Check out my inspiration for my mad plan at www.mr4000.com

 

[FroggyFox]

Isn't the point of having a fishtank being able to see inside? I figured we were JOKING about the plywood....

That guy has an AWESOME setup! THAT IS SO COOL. But do note that its on concrete...surrounded by concrete...partially made of concrete...lol

 

[PDM]

This is what I am considering.

http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/panis/plywoodtank.htm