Trapeze Aquarium

[FelipeBSR]

Hello! :)

I'm thinking about making a tank with a trapeze base. You know, lack of space... by making a tank this way, i can have more 135 liters. Here are some "drawings':

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(superior view) (Maybe i could use 40cm instead of the 30cm, i have to check)

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Can you help me on some questions? : )

[b]-> 1) would a tank in this way be cool?
-> 2) Is there any photo of a similar tank wich i could use as inspiration?
-> 3) How should i use "french locks" in the tank?

Many Thanks,
Felipe

[Rue]

I think it would be fine...

...but I don't think it would be very attractive...

[cocoa_pleco]

ditto. Would look odd

[FelipeBSR]

I've seen some triangular tanks, they were nice. But trapeze-like never, maybe cause it should look odd eheheh. Well, i'm thinking about making a prototype in real scale to see how things will be.

Hmm an idea! My problem is: if i make a large tank, i wont have space to get off my bed. What about an tank in this shape:
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thanks everyone,
Felipe

[cocoa_pleco]

thats not too bad.

Why not make a really long tank of youre tied for space or a tall tank?

[bscman]

Hmm, I think I saw this question being asked some place else as well! :ezpi_wink1:

Why not go for a standard "corner tank" ???
It'd probably be the most efficient use of space - looking at your room pic with the trapese tank, it looks like a toe stubber for sure.

[A340]

Personally, I think that would look absolutley fantastic! It's different and offers a very big and different viewing area.

What the heck are "french locks" though?

[Lady Hobbs]

I don't like it either and it would be hard to clean, I think. I would go for a hex or oval for that space.

[FelipeBSR]

TY for the replies! I guess the drawing was not so good, it lacks in perspective and gives a wrong view. Asap i'll make a prototype with strong paper or something to see the possibilities.

Personally, I think that would look absolutley fantastic! It's different and offers a very big and different viewing area.

What the heck are "french locks" though?

It means a bad translation... :D

I meant those small glass pieces used to give security in big tanks.


thats not too bad.

Why not make a really long tank of youre tied for space or a tall tank?
I was thinking about that, but, i want to have bala sharks, i just love this fish. What would be the minimum lateral size a tank for balasharks?

[FelipeBSR]

I've just received a 3d model of the tank! (thanks aggain!!)

Frontal View
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Left Lateral View
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Right Lateral View
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Top View
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[hungryhound]

Personally I don't think that it will be too bad. I think that it will be feasible and if you are happy with it, you should go for it.

Of course when I clicked on the thread I was envisioning a tank resting on a taunt rope. Now that would be impressive.

[genitor]

why not go long and tall, With your situation i think that will utilize the space the best

[genitor]

Bala sharks have been known to grow 18" but 13" is more common. So for them to be able to turn around comfortable you could probably use 20". A tank 24" high 48" long and 20" wide would give you approx. 100gal. A 55 gal. is usually recommended for a bala shark.

[bscman]

Bala sharks have been known to grow 18" but 13" is more common. So for them to be able to turn around comfortable you could probably use 20". A tank 24" high 48" long and 20" wide would give you approx. 100gal. A 55 gal. is usually recommended for a bala shark.

No No NO! I strongly disagree -- a standard 55g 4 foot long tank is TOO SMALL for an adult bala shark. There are a few things you need to look at.

1. Bala sharks will average 14-16" in length, with the males typically being the larger. If properly care for, they WILL be over a foot long PERIOD. They have been documented reaching as much as 24" in length!

2. They are a very powerful and "zoomy" active fish. Active fish need a lot of room to swim around--otherwise it will be unhappy and shortlived. They really enjoy "flying" around the tank.

3. Bala sharks don't do very well by themselves. You need at LEAST two, while four to six would be better.

4. Bala sharks have a life span of 12-15 years, sometimes more. Can you care for a fish this large, this long?

5. You need AT LEAST an 84"x24"x24" tank. Do you have the room, or the floor strength to support a 200 gallon tank?

6. Ya think I'm just being overly dramatic? Think about this...
If you have a 16" long bala shark in a standard 55g tank, the fish has exactly three times the length of it's body to swim...not much exercise is it?

It's about the same as you standing up in your bath-tub and trying to jog. Ya can take a step or two, then you have to stop and turn around. You sure as heck aren't going to get your heart rate up, are ya? Nope, and that's not healthy for a fish, either.

Keeping a 16" fish in a 48" tank, is like keeping a group of zebra danios (also quick fish) in a 6inch cube. The just cannot be happy in that situation.

As for how wide the tank should be to allow adequate room for turning. I always recommend 1 + 1/3 of your largest fishes length as a minimum. So if your fish will be 16" long, your tank should be AT LEAST 21.28". So 24" would be an decent choice.

And whatever you do, don't think that you can just trade the fish off in a few years (when he's too big for your tank). It will not work. There are VERY few people out there that have sufficient room to grow out a Bala shark and care for it. Very few people want a fish that large. Most pet shops won't take the time or hassle to take him off your hands.
IMO, Bala sharks should not be anywhere near as common or cheap as they are. They should be sold to serious enthusiasts only, not common every day hobbyists.

[gm72]

bscman, outstanding information and totally agreed.

[genitor]

Wow, a little passionate about this aren't you.

[gm72]

We all are very passionate about this. Very large fish need very large aquariums. There is no variable to that equation.

A 55 gallon tank is fine for a bala shark as long as you think you'd be comfortable living in a closet for your entire life. You mean you wouldn't be happy in a closet? Neither would the shark.

[NeonJulie]

The shape of the tank is only as great as the inside and it's inhabitants. So if it looks really great with really great fish (bala sharks are neat for sure), it'll probably be very cool.

The advantage of the tank is it's increased length for more viewing. Typically you can only look at one side of a tank at a time. (In this case it being in the corner, two sides.) So either you're looking at the paranomic stretch, or you're looking at the short side... Yes you can look at something from the corner on, but most people don't, not to mention it tends to skew and stretch the visual. So most people will only look at one flat side at a time. And I bet looking at it from either side will be neat.

You're rarely going to see if from the top. I think it's a neat idea.

I think your 3D rendering also was helpful - I liked it immediately. However, I don't know if the additional information about the bala sharks would have to change the tank - but whatever goes in this tank, I think you'll enjoy it.

[bscman]

Wow, a little passionate about this aren't you.

Well I'd much rather be passionate than neglectful :ezpi_wink1:

You shrug it off like it's no big deal, but to use gm72's analogy...I bet you'd be whining after being stuck in a closet for a few hours, let alone your entire life. But you feel like it's okay to do it to your fish--because after all, he's just a fish? Right? He can't bark back, or scratch at the door when he wants to go out and play.

If you had a puppy, would you keep it in a pet carrier it's WHOLE life?

If you had a cat, would you keep it in cardboard box it's whole life?

Pets like dogs and cats have the advantage of being able to run FREE, go on walks, dig in the garden, play fetch, blah blah blah. Your fish is denied that opportunity. He's stuck in that little tiny tank it's whole life.
He can't get out and run around because he'll DIE.

If you're going to take a fish from the wild, you sure as heck owe it to the fish to give him a nice, clean, home with ample room to swim, play, and be healthy!!! If you can't do that, you shouldn't get the fish...plain and simple.

Oh, but this fish was captive bred...so that arguement is negated.
Really? If I recall, it's still a BALA shark...it's still abusive.
You'd go to jail for treating your kid that way. Oh, that's right...it's just a fish though. So who cares. He doesn't have feelings. He can't tell me if he's not happy.... PUH-LEASE!!!

Please, do not give advice without prior research.
The reason so many BALA sharks are sold is because places like petsmart put signs up that say "30+ gallons recommended. Can reach 8" in length"
Which obviously, is bogus on all accounts. There's no reason to continue to spread these rumors, and make the lives of even more of these fish miserable because they become stunted and die, or grow up in tanks so small they can't turn around.

[Sasquatch]

I think that the trapezoidal shape would be interesting and make the most of the limited space.

You have a lot of different possibilities as far as fish go, just make sure the fish will be happy in it.

[Rue]

...tell me if I'm wrong...but won't a trapezoid be at a disadvantage for water pressure? There's a reason most tank are regularily shaped I think...to prevent bowing out and stress points...

[bscman]

...tell me if I'm wrong...but won't a trapezoid be at a disadvantage for water pressure? There's a reason most tank are regularily shaped I think...to prevent bowing out and stress points...

Excellent point.
This is also why larger tanks have cross braces to help support the longer sides. Glass is pretty strong, but also brittle. It can't bow out much before it CRACKS!
The odd shape could definitely be a disadvantage.

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, thats why acrylic is used for odd shaped tanks

[genitor]

Please, do not give advice without prior research.

i did not, i never do