3000 gallon tank material help

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alm350

Registered Member
Jan 1, 2006
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i would like to build a large tank around 3000 gallons or so, im not for sure what to build it out of. from what i have seen so far most people that have built tanks this size used plywood and fiberglass.but from what i understand fiberglass brakes down and has to be redone every 5 or so years,which i do not want to deal with and i dont think i could build it out of just glass-to weak i would think,so i was thinking of steel but then i have to deal with rust and trying to paint it all the time,
so i started thinking sence it would be freshwater maybe aluminum would work,but im not for sure if aluminum would be toxic to the fish,
so does anyone know if aluminum is toxic or know of a way to build it so i dont have to rebuild it every few years?
i figure with glass ports and aluminum i would not have to do much at all other than reseal the site ports every 10 years or so ,
any thoughts would be great thank you
 
where exactly do you plan to put a 3000 gallon tank? you have any idea what that will weigh? 24000..and thats just with the water...
 
Thanks chefkeith, I hope I do.

Well where to start, firstly building a tank out of metal would be a mistake IMO, even stainless steel will leach into the water column, so I would get rid of that idea right away.

What dimentions are you thinking, b/c this also decide on what materials would be best used. Also where are you planning to build it? Have you reserched anything about keeping big tanks? These kind of projects take a lot of planning as you may know.

As for fibre-glass not lasting, what you need to do is cover the fibre-glassed surface with a protective coating and you could possibly get 20-30 years without a leak.

Before I say anything eles I need to know a bit more about what you have planned. BTW I have a 1850g tank and I am currently planning a 10,000g to 15,000g+ tank and it will probably be another year or two of planning before I start construction. What I am trying to say is planning is everything, b/c I could not tell you the amount of mistakes my 1850g has, starting from energy consuption.
 
Our 412gallon lasted about 17 years before we built the 3240g....and the only reason the 412 started leaking was because it had been cut apart and re-fiberglassed 3 times for moving. In addition to the fibreglass and resin in the new tank, my husband also coated with gel-coat. I agree with Ash....planning is EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, until you build a big tank, you don't discover what you would do differently....lol
 
Plannig... planning... yes, it takes time, and you only find out if your planning was rigth when you start bouilding the project.

I built myself my current 250 gallon tank. I planned a lot, researched, designed the filtration system and when I finished I ended up with an non working filter set up (it started working properly in the third version), and a tank that didn't fit in the stand the way I wanted it to.

Now I know that and when I build the larger tank, I'll be prepared. However, I don't expect it to be problem free project.
 
my first question is where are u gonna put it?
and then do you want to be able to see from the sides
if not then its just a pool
 
the tank will be set on a 12" slab of 5000 psi concrete im not for sure of the measurements but i know it will be 6' tall by 12' wide. depth works out to what will work within the living room im building, i think around 8' to 10'. yes i want to put in sight port just in the front,glass sized to 4'x8' sheet of 1"Lexine glass, as for filtering all pumps will be outside in a heated/cooled pump house just behind the tank wall,im not for sure the total gallon amount as i have to figured out all the lengths but im guessing around 3000 gallons, the reason for building is im out of space in store bought tanks, i have 11 pacu's and im out of space plus its just something i always wanted plus i would get my swimming pool back lol and thanks to the bank it can happen now.
planning is very true thats why i plan to build a model tank with all the same items so i can see any problems ahead of time i hope
i liked the fiberglass ideal but was turned away because of the repairing every few years but if it can be sealed to last 15+ years then i would go that route
thanks for all the links i will start viewing them tonight i would like to know as much as i can about problems and what works best with large tanks before i even start my parts list,
 
the frame of it better b really strong cuz if not tat thing is gonna blow in ur house :dive:
 
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