Building a heater/cooler for a huge -275 gal - Saltwater - 60 deg f

[vr4]

Huge -275 gal - Saltwater - 60 deg f - Help me build from scratch!!!

Hi,

I am new to the aquatic community and I would like to begin my first post by introducing my self. So far the forums here have been an amazing resource and I would love to hear everyone's opinion on my newest project!

I am currently going to build two 275 gallon saltwater aquariums. I will be starting from scratch filling them with genuine sea water (sourced from the boston harbor!) and using them to observe the local fish & diversity. I am looking to keep the tanks @ a constant 59 degrees Fahrenheit in an enclosed room.

Currently I have:
two 275 gallon tanks

Currently I need:
- Temperature regulator (to heat and cool)
- A way to transport 550 gallons of new sea water from the harbor to my tanks
- An aeration system capable of handling such large tanks

My budjet is $1000 and I am willing to construct the electronics from scratch or other units.

Where do you guys suggest I begin? I will be keeping the thread updated as I progress with pictures and news. Thanks to everyone!!!

[mac]

Hi,
I can't help you at all. But IMO I think $1,000.00 may not be enough. Are you planing to add coral and fish in the tank with that money as well? If so IMO i don't think it would be possible. But you never know.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum.

mac

[gm72]

As most here know I'm not the SW guy but I agree with mac that $1,000 won't be enough to get the filter, skimmer, etc. and to stock the tank fully unless you know of a place from which to get a huge discount.

[Lady Hobbs]

Welcome to AC.

Since you are wanting information on saltwater tanks and how to began, I will move your thread to the saltwater forum so you get more hits on your question.

Like the others have posted, I believe you will need more money and especially if you get into the corals. But, will move this thread now so you have the advice from the experts of saltwater. But keep in mind, this is an ongoing hobby and you will be investing in it for years. You don't need every penny all at one time.

Good luck.

[labnjab]

Welcome to the AC. I would start out by doing a lot of research and others will chime in with good books to read.

A grand wouldn't be nearly enough for that large a tank. I have over a grand invested in my 29 gallon. The chiller (to keep the temp around 60) alone for a 275 gallon would be close to that if not more. And I wouldn't recommend getting water from Boston harbor. It would be way to polluted and would cause a lot of problems. It would be better to get an ro/di system and mix the water yourself.

Sounds like a great project.

[vr4]

Thank you to everyone who responded! Oh and thanks also to the moderator who moved this post (sorry for the mis-categorization). I will be stocking the tank, but not with large fish - instead with microbes! I need the Boston harbor water to keep things as genuine as possible.

Everyone is absolutely correct is your assumptions. My budjet is no where near large enough. --- More specifically I have a full $1000 to be used on the cooler/heater. (I will edit the above post to match this - but I can not). Everything else will be funded seperatly.

My question is - does anyone have any recommendations for how to acquire such a large heater/cooler. Should I build the item from scratch? Are there any good industrial sources? I would prefer one heater cooler to run both tanks so we are looking at 550 gallons plus! Any recommendations?

Also - for fun - does anyone have any good ideas how to transport 550 gallons of water other then soda bottles ?

thanks

[fins_n_fur]

Have you thought about contacting the folks at the New England Aquarium for some info/assistance? They might be better able to help.

[vr4]

Fins - Great idea to contact them - I wanted to shoot the idea back and forth on here a little bit more. Would anyone suggest this forum www.reeffrontiers.com - in addition to AC?

Again I want to reiterate that right now I am interested in building / sourcing the HEATER/COOLER. I wish I could chance the discussion heading.

thanks!

[travie]

Have you tried doing a search online for how to build your own heater? Most people on AC from knowledge, won't be able to help directly from experience in making a chiller. Drs. Foster and Smith can let you start looking at chillers on the market, which are good on tanks more then your 275. Sorry, I couldn't be of more help at the moment.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I can tell you that for 550gallons you are looking at needing a massive cooling system. Heating will not be an issue unless you are keeping these tanks outdoors, room temperature would naturally keep them heated. When dealing with a temperate tank cooling is usually the only issue. If you are capable of building one yourself you may be better off doing that if possible, otherwise I doubt $1000 is going to do it. A good chiller for that size tank is probably going to be a few more hundred.

Have you had any experience with keeping marine tanks of any kind in the past? Temperate marine tanks are a lot more difficult than many people imagine them to be.