10 - 20G tanks linked through a 450G sump/mini pond

I have converted our backyard shed into an insulated, air-conditioned and heated dog house. After I got it insulated and all boarded up I decided that it could also be a great Cichlid growing/spawning house too. I have just finished sealing the walls and ceiling and have begun construction on the 450G pond, which will begin with the filteration. All 10 of my 20G tanks will return into this pond through a 16G barrel I will turn into a gravity canister filter. Other than the canister part, I think this will be similar to Fern's project and wondered if anyone really wants more details, or if it would just take me more time to document than the time it would be beneficial to anyone... Of course maybe some one may have some pointers along the way to make this the best possible setup...

Let me know, can take pics soon too...

Pics! Pics! Pics! Love the idea!.

NICEEE!!!!!!
would love to see pics!!!

Okay so I had some free time today, and got to do some work in the shed... here are a few pics I snapped along the way. I decided to add two pieces of glass for viewing pleasure... I am hoping that it will not crack under the pressure... The next step will be adding the foam that I have collected over the last month and then putting in the pond liner. After that I will start installing the first 6 of 10 20G tanks... In the pics you will see a shelf above the pond/sump, and this shelf will hold 4 of the tanks. Hope you enjoy!

Also, I was told that I should put like 400lbs. of crushed coral in the sump... Does this make sense to anyone else? Recommendations?

From what i have tryed if your deeper then 18 inchs the glass needs to b atleast 1/2 thick. I cant tell in ur pic. how thick ur glass is. If u go to monsterfish.com these guys have alot exp. in building tanks like ur's. Great project hope it works out for u.

Ooo ment to ask what r u lining the inside with?

Very nice work. Keep it coming. Looks like I might be right behind you if it works.

metrofish wrote:

Ooo ment to ask what r u lining the inside with?

I am lining in it with pond liner I found at Home Depot.

Got some more done today, and wish tomorrow wasn't Monday so I could continue... After allowing my sealant to dry over night I removed the braces and added a little more to the "windows" just to make sure they wouldn't leak.

I used thin styrofoam sheeting to line the plywood to avoid any scraping holes, and to allow for some give for when I add the plexiglass dividers. I also layed thick styrofoam scraps down to help avoid puncture holes from substrate and holey rocks I plan to add.

The pond liner was a bit of struggle to install and I had a hard time getting it into the exact position wanted. The shelf above the pond caused a few expletives and cramping legs and back... After some wrangling I placed the bulk head for the little giant. Then I siliconed the cr@p out of it and added some water to help me with securing down the corners.

Onward through the abyss... more to come later...

I have noticed that I have a weird nack of getting my feet in pics...

Congratulations !!!
keep posting the advance please ..
great job

Well, after some problems with the complete water tight seals of my two windows into the pond I have finally completed the first stage of the fish shed. 6 of 10 of my 20G tanks are linked through my 400G-ish pond. I really think it's more like 380... I have had fish in it now for two weeks and everything seems to be flowing smoothly. I am adding a diffrerent prefilter to my out pump due to dog hair getting in my lines. Eventually I also will be adding a finished top railing (4X6) around all the top of the pond to cover the lining and make it looked more finished. Here a few pics from two weeks ago, and I follow this post with pics from tonight...

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I will also be adding a central air line, and air sponges to the mix. Similar to what KMX just completed...

Looking good. keep it coming!

Wow how Did I miss this!?
Are you going heavily planted? If so you will want to go easy on the coral and PH raisers.
Did you do dirt under sand?
Did you use lots and lots of wood glue and screws? Mine was roughly 2 big boxes of screws and 2 medium bottles of glue

If you see any bowing at all you may need to add a center rib around it.
I like the pre-filter you have! I need to work a sheet of filter cloth into my system somewhere.
I'm quite flattered that you used my idea!

hows this goin so far??

So far everything seems to be running as planned. Using old media from my inside tanks helped the cycling, and everybody is doing great! Currently raising up some Blu Ahli's, German Reds, Sunshine fry and using some OB's to keep the biology going...

Fern - I have never had luck with plants before, but I have only tried it once. I always keep my PH at or near 8.2. I have not added any substrate as of yet, and was only advised to add crushed coral for overall continual conditioning of the water. I have two 55G barrels/trash cans that I started as a test of this system and they have been running since last July setup just like this setup without any substrate. I have had no issues with bi-weekly water changes. I used a box and a 1/2 of screws, but didn't use a drop a wood glue. I did use a lot of marine epoxy around my two windows though, 3 tubes... I invisioned this sometime last Sept., but with the birth of our little girl last Sept. I just now have been able to get it running. Let me know of any input you may have on this, I highly respect your opinions, THANKS FERN!

I think that the pre-filter and the rinsing of the pre-filter is half of the battle. It removes most of the waste, and extra food particles. However, I turn off the pump when I feed to avoid sending it directly into the filter...

Here are the latest pics, taken Wednes. night... lights are up...

THE TWO WINDOWS




VIEW FROM THE LEFT




THE TWO ON THE FAR RIGHT AND THE MOONLIGHT (BLACKLIGHT)




VIEW FROM THE RIGHT...

WOW!!!
LOOKS AWSOME BRO!!!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!

Nice work. Get some more pics. Id like to see from a far.

NICE 450G DIY pond.

Some good lighting on the pond area and some decent substrate and you could grow a bunch of plants in there, Plants are good for using up some of the nutrients and helping reduce the quantity of water changes.
I would add a 2x4 rib around the middle and squirt water proof wood glue into any joint you can, The wood glue helps add to the strength of the screws so they wont wiggle out in time.

Looking very nice!!!