Just how big is big? After all, what one considers large, the other considers small. This question can apply to virtually everything in the physical world, including giant custom aquariums. Here at Aqua Creations, where we’ve installed hundreds of custom aquarium configurations, we consider an 800-gallon+ aquarium BIG. So, when we were commissioned to build, install and maintain this 1,500-gallon custom large aquarium, we were pumped and determined to make it shine. Please have a look and see how we expertly rose to the challenge.
The Request: A Huge Aquarium
This amazing home was built on the Jersey Shore in Red Bank, NJ. The lady who painted the aquarium bar room walls had to be commissioned two years in advance to ensure her availability. Since everything about this home reeks quality, they wanted a large fish aquarium that would take center stage and would be seen from all angles of this magnificent home.
The Process: How We Installed a Giant Aquarium
Check out the installation process of this giant fish aquarium and discover how we took care of every detail to perfection.
The Challenges: Designing, Installing, and Maintaining Large Aquariums
Designing, installing, and maintaining a large custom aquarium brings unique challenges that require thoughtful planning and expert problem-solving. Here’s how we addressed specific challenges in this particular project.
Delivery of This Large Indoor Aquarium
- Challenge: The aquarium is huge. Once entry doors to the home would be installed it would not have been an option to deliver the tank fully constructed – it would have required onsite construction, a way more costly option for our client and something we wanted to avoid.
- Solution: Of course, transporting and safely moving and placing a monster aquarium, although a challenge, is something we do on a regular basis. With our experience and the proper equipment, this was not a cause for concern. By working together with the client’s general contractor, we coordinated the delivery of the large fish tank before the door frame was installed. We had our 50-foot extension lull with us, to remove the tank from our truck and place it into the client’s home.
Structural Support & Weight Distribution for The Huge Aquarium
- Challenge: Large fish aquariums can weigh thousands of pounds when filled.
- Solution: The contractor reinforced the flooring under the aquarium with steel support beams that were approved by the client’s architect. Our aquarium installation team used our scissor lifts, lift tables and professional winches to help place the large aquarium onto the solid steel aquarium base. All in a day’s work for Aqua Creations.
Water Filtration & Quality Control
- Challenge: Maintaining optimal water quality in large volumes is more complex for a myriad of reasons: starting with the water processing system needed for the maintenance of the aquarium, the water changes and ending with the filtration system needed to handle the large aquarium water volume.
- Solution: We installed a 300-gallon water tower with a double capacity Reverse Osmosis water filter unit for the water processing system that can produce 300 gallons of pure H2O per day. For the large aquarium’s filtration system we custom fabricated a 400-gallon sump and outfitted it with above spec components some of which included a large protein skimmer, an extra large bio-media canister tower, four 100-micron 7×32 inch filter socks, a 120-watt Ultraviolet sterilizer and a custom integrated refugium. The refugium is used for nutrient export and micro-organism production as a food source for the massive home aquarium’s livestock.
Temperature Regulation & Heating/Cooling
- Challenge: In larger tanks, achieving and maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the water column can be challenging. We also realized that we would be sharing the filtration room with other heat-emitting home appliances that could cause the aquarium’s water temperature to rise, coupled with the client’s frequent travel schedule that could potentially cause a lowering of the home temperature. Our challenge was clear: our aquarium designers needed to design a robust heating/cooling system that would keep the large aquarium at the optimal steady temperature of 78 degrees year round.
- Solution: To address this, we used a made-in-Italy 1HP titanium chiller with a built-in heater and a remote made-in-USA temperature controller to ensure rock-steady temperature control throughout the year. When necessary, the chiller will be more than ample to cool the water and when needed the high-wattage integrated heater will heat the water to its optimally required temperature.
Lighting Requirements for Large Fish Tanks
- Challenge: Large aquariums require specialized lighting to ensure adequate illumination throughout the entire tank depth, which can be difficult for deep tanks.
- Solution: We installed a series of high-power LED lights with adjustable spectrum and intensity, remotely controllable through WIFI or Bluetooth for color, intensity and schedule. Lights were strategically placed to reduce shadows and ensure even distribution, creating a natural look and supporting the health of the ecosystem. The lights were put on an appropriate daily schedule from sunrise to sunset. At sunrise, we simulated the early morning red glow of the rising sun, and as the day progressed the lighting progressed with it to an intense early afternoon bright sun and early evening high spectrum blue glow.
Aquarium Decor Challenge for Large Aquarium Project
- Challenge: To match the uniqueness of the giant custom aquarium we needed the interior of the aquarium to be eye popping. After multiple discussions with our client, we realized that his preference leaned towards a high-colored display.
- Solution: We commissioned a vendor, whom we consider the highest quality insert fabricator in the country, to create for us a multi-pillar coral reef replica loaded with lifelike corals that would actually move with the waters’ flow. The results were stunning and amazed everyone. All were impatient to see the saltwater aquarium loaded up with livestock swimming in and out of the lifelike corals.
The Result: A Striking Centerpiece
Delivery, placement and installation of this large aquarium project put a lot of our experience to the test, but we were up to the task with a flawlessly executed installation. The ecstatic, proud owner is fast becoming an avid aquarist and constantly requesting specific new fish and livestock to add to the large fish tank.
Contact the Aqua Creations team and discover how we can expertly design, install and maintain a customized large aquarium project for your space.
