Advice Needed for "River Safari"

[cbong]

Hi guys! I am building a 7' x 7' x 3.5' (ht) build-up pond with glass front in my air-well. Intend to have driftwood and low-maintenance plants, big leafy ones. Either monster fishes or schooling fishes. Any plants to suggest? Your suggestions appreciated.

Screen Shot 2014-04-21 at 11.00.59 pm.jpgScreen Shot 2014-04-21 at 11.01.05 pm.jpg

[limz_777]

Does the area receive sunlight?

[cbong]

Does the area receive sunlight?

Limited amount during noon. Will probably need additional lightings, low-light plantings

[limz_777]

This remind me of a setup by medicine man, a living wall above the pond

[cbong]

This remind me of a setup by medicine man, a living wall above the pond

Any photos to share?

[limz_777]

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...light=Medicine, quite a old thread but inspirational set up

[cbong]

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...light=Medicine, quite a old thread but inspirational set up

Thanks so much for the reference! simply awesome! I wonder if CO2 is required for such huge tank. AWESOME and INSPIRED!

[Urban Aquaria]

You have a very nice space to do this project in your home... just a suggestion, maybe consider designing the glass portion in one large flat piece (so the pond tank's shape will be 4 sided, instead if 5 sided), there will be reduced water volume, but you will get to enjoy a full panoramic uninterrupted view of the pond tank (rather than have to split your view between 2 panels of glass with a joint line in the middle).

Since there is lots of vertical space in the air well, include some tall marginal tropical pond plants like umbrella papyrus, cattails, rushes, spider lily, taro plants etc. Plant them in mesh pots and position them around the background of the pond tank, so its easier to re-position anytime and maintain them (can strategically hide the mesh pots behind other submersed plants). They will provide shade and high nutrient take-up without competing for Co2, since they already get it directly from the air.

Definitely following your project, do setup a journal thread on it!

[cbong]

Urban Aquaria, Thanks so much for the idea and encouragement. Yes, I was contemplating a 4-sided project. A few things giving me a challenge. (1) Position of filter that I could access easily. (2) Moisture in the basement would increase and cause moldiness (3) Rain water and its impact of the water (4) Limestone walls that could affect the pH with rain (5) CO2 requirement if I want to go heavy planting (6) modifications to the walls to grow plants.

Might have to consult you on the choice of plants.

[Urban Aquaria]

Yeah, looks like you could go for built-in pond-style multi-chamber filtration systems to filter the water... though if your bio-load is not high (ie. no high waste producers like koi or goldfishes) and you're keeping mostly small schooling fishes, then maybe the setup could work with simpler pond-spec box filters with pump/fountain heads (much cheaper and easier to maintain) and the plants will also help in filtration too.

Moisture would be a concern, though since its an open air well (not a fully enclosed space), the effect may not be as much of an issue.

Rainwater is good as natural water top up as its "usually" soft low TDS water (have to remember to do an overflow exit for excess water), but i can see what you mean by the droplets flowing down the stone tiles and picking up minerals on the way... maybe look at painting the stone wall with an inert varnish or resin to seal it so that it'll not leach any minerals.

Co2 injection (if necessary) would be same as a normal aquarium, just sized up massively with the much larger tank volume. With Co2 injection you'd also need lots of high-powered aquarium lights to provide a consistent light source (sunlight is way too unpredictable)... so i guess all that will depend on your running budget.

Plant walls would be great, though have to make it easy to access the plants during regular watering and maintenance (maybe make a tall folding bench to put into the pond tank so you can step onto it and reach the wall plants).

Choice of in-tank plants will be like in a planted tank, it'll depend on how much (or how little) work you'd like to do on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

[cbong]

Great ideas! Let me discuss with my builder later today on how best to do this feeling excited!

Yeah, looks like you could go for built-in pond-style multi-chamber filtration systems to filter the water... though if your bio-load is not high (ie. no high waste producers like koi or goldfishes) and you're keeping mostly small schooling fishes, then maybe the setup could work with simpler pond-spec box filters with pump/fountain heads (much cheaper and easier to maintain) and the plants will also help in filtration too.

Moisture would be a concern, though since its an open air well (not a fully enclosed space), the effect may not be as much of an issue.

Rainwater is good as natural water top up as its "usually" soft low TDS water (have to remember to do an overflow exit for excess water), but i can see what you mean by the droplets flowing down the stone tiles and picking up minerals on the way... maybe look at painting the stone wall with an inert varnish or resin to seal it so that it'll not leach any minerals.

Co2 injection (if necessary) would be same as a normal aquarium, just sized up massively with the much larger tank volume. With Co2 injection you'd also need lots of high-powered aquarium lights to provide a consistent light source (sunlight is way too unpredictable)... so i guess all that will depend on your running budget.

Plant walls would be great, though have to make it easy to access the plants during regular watering and maintenance (maybe make a tall folding bench to put into the pond tank so you can step onto it and reach the wall plants).

Choice of in-tank plants will be like in a planted tank, it'll depend on how much (or how little) work you'd like to do on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

[rc311]

Interesting, always wanted a water garden within the house... Starting my camp here, looks forward to your updates.

[Urban Aquaria]

Btw, was just looking back at Medicineman's sunken garden project journal... seems his setup was only 700 gallons which is around 2,600+ litres.

Did some quick calculation based on your proposed pond tank dimensions, your project works out to around 4,200+ litres! Much larger in water volume, so lots more potential in fish selection.

[cbong]

I wanted flexibility to either go planted or monster fish Now, a question: I was so inspired by Medicineman's Sunken Garden. To do planting, wouldnt it take loads of substrates for such surface area?

The contractor came to measure the space this morning and would propose something soon. The fiberglass pond with glass front would have to be factory built and assembled at my place since the completed piece is too big to go through the door.

Btw, was just looking back at Medicineman's sunken garden project journal... seems his setup was only 700 gallons which is around 2,600+ litres.

Did some quick calculation based on your proposed pond tank dimensions, your project works out to around 4,200+ litres! Much larger in water volume, so lots more potential in fish selection.

[limz_777]

what sort of monster fish you intend to keep ?

[cbong]

I have not decided yet. Use to do 13+ years of planting, just moved back to aro and rays in my 5x2x2. Still quite tempted to do planting, but would be a feat in such large surface
I guess I would need 1-2months to build, 1-month to do surrounding planting and feature, 1-month to cycle. Still plenty of time to decide.

what sort of monster fish you intend to keep ?

[limz_777]

ok , cause i find substrate heavy planting and monster fish doesnt really go hand in hand , best to stick to your original idea of some driftwood and low maintain plants

[cbong]

btw, I bought this 6-foot teak carving, 80kg, carved on a more than 100yo teak trunk. Would feature this some where near the pond

2014-05-01 11.17.43.jpg

[cbong]

Totally agree
Maybe when it comes to scaping, I can get some of you along for ideas

ok , cause i find substrate heavy planting and monster fish doesnt really go hand in hand , best to stick to your original idea of some driftwood and low maintain plants

[Kiang]

Great collection


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