Hi. I'm Planning to build a tank of the dimensions 12L X 6H X 5W (Front 30 mm Glass and the sides and the back will be Concrete) holding approximately 2600 gallons. I will house a Silver Arowana (probably add one more later), 4 Oscars and Plecos in this setup. I'm from India and I can't find professionals who i can approach on help with filtration and heating for this setup. Please help me with your valuable suggestions. Thanks in Advance. Cheers.

with that size, you will worry much on heater size during cold season. but
for filtration, it will take time before you encounter water issue...thus,
a pump 5000 gph capacity can be considered.

for additional ideas...you may scroll this link...almost same size and concept of
tank.... www.oscarfishlover.com/oscar-fish-advice...es-and-females#67882

btw, welcome aboard.....

Hello and welcome!
No expierience here with a tank that big but I like the way you think BIG!
good luck on your project.

1st have you considered the cost to run such a size able tank/pond?

If it was me building something along that scale I would consider a central heating unit or swimming pool units to heat and filter. I don't really have enough knowledge to advise you any better but the running cost will be very high, I do know that. good luck with your project and pls update us with what you learn. i hope someone else can help you more.

If it was me setting up a large several thousand gallons aquarium then I would be looking towards the sort of filters that are used on koi ponds. An aquarium of this size is not going to be sitting on top of a cabinet, it will have to be at gound-level or you will never be able to maintain it. Alternatively it might be cheaper to make it in some out of a very large aquarium utilizing some powerful pump pumps. Heating it could be an issue, I agree with Marcus, using your central heating/boiler is an option, however being in India may mean you don't need, about actually have this type of heating. I know that parts of India to get very cold in the winter time so you may need heating in the aquarium at some times of the year.

It ain't gonna be cheap to run one of these aquariums. You're going to be looking at several hundred watts for your pumps, lighting, depending on what type of heating you are using, this could be very expensive as well. I don't commercial aquariums often use very large canister filters that service several of their smaller tanks, but I suspect these are specifically designed for their purposes, and are not the type of filters you can buy from a shop.

I don't think you be difficult to do if you use this sort of equipment that is used on ponds, I don't see why can't go down this road. I have had experience with aquariums up to 300 gallons. I have a sump filter designed out of an old fish tank, a couple of Eheim pumps and it seems to work. However eight times bigger, forget it, let someone else do it.

@ Paul - Thanks Paul.. I did have a look at the link and i was blown.. the videos really show what sorta setup i'm planning.. though i'd want to add some decor like driftwood, gravel and some plants to make it look like a south american biotope..

@Noddy - I sure do need all the luck on this one thanks..

@Marcus - Wow. I didn't think in those lines of central heating or swimming pool filtration units.. thanks a ton.. I will look into that alternative too and keep you guys posted.. I'm not worried about running cost cos but I'm more worried about the heating and filtration.. and the need to get the right equipment..

@OFL - First things first.. I got to thank you for this wonderful site.. I was a little skeptical about gettin oscars but post a read up of your site I feel more confident.. thanks.. keep up the amazing work..

I completely understand as marcus and you point out the running cost of the aquarium but I think i'll be able to manage it. The tank definitely will be built from ground level. I have been going through the Eheim and Boyu websites about their pond pumps, filters and heaters but it doesnt make head or tail to me. I'm probably going to mail these people and check if they can provide assitance..

Winter is never winter in India but thanks to global warming this winter is definitely colder than 5 years back. I dont think i'd need heating in summer but winters yes.

Thanks again. Will keep you all posted on my project. Please also let me know if you come across anything. Cheers.

Thank you for your kind comments, they're very much appreciated

Constructing this type of aquarium is by no means impossible, but it is a major construction project because you are dealing with over 20 tons of water. Is your floor in the house going to be to support this? Obviously filtration is going to be one of your biggest obstacles. You also don't want the whole thing falling to pieces once you put the water in it, there will be quite a lot of pressure.

Have you thought about how you're going to maintain this thing? I think you're going to have to get your swimming costume out to be quite honest to clean it properly.

Anyway, keep us updated

i had this experience helping a client who has a 10,000 gal size pond with koi.
her problem is the green algae because the pond is directly expose to daylight.
with some modification, using a 5HP centrifugal water pump, and utilizing the
perimeter at water ran-off barrier, i was able to clear the pond in two months
without much water change. it turn out that the ran-off area became the nursery
for planting ornamental plants.

my friend is setting up a huge tank and he's looking into hot tub heaters as more efficient heating system

here is another internet resource that you may check out

www.monsterfishkeepers.com/

@OFL -

I read this article in, i guess, practical fish keeping, about this guy who had converted his basement into a huge tank with a viewing area.. stocked with giant gouramis and rays.. and he actually was swimming with them ( I dont know how good it is for the fish or him) and i also read about a 50000 gallon tank on monsterfishkeepers.com . there is a youtube link too but somehow i was not much impressed with the fish in there.. it was just loaded up but the set up was somethin out of the world..

I live in an independent house and i have a huge garden.. my plan is to construct it in the garden (avoiding direct sunlight.. probably under cover of trees) and being in the construction business i have enough help to ensure the tank will be constructed without any glitches.. as you said maintenance.. I understand its not going to be maintenance free but daily monitoring and a monthly clean up is something i definitely will be able to dedicate..

@paul - I hope its not asking too much but would it be possible for some pics of this setup?

@meghanR - sure i will look into hot tub heaters too. Thanks for suggesting monsterfishkeepers, I do have a thread running there for ideas on this project too. cheers.

i will try to dig my files...but most picture i took were with my wife and the
flowering plants. she even do pose with those tables made up of huge bog wood.
i can still do the schematic sketches on what had been done....

@paul - sketches will be great..