Paladarium super build

chillplants · #1 04-28-2010, 04:15 PM

I've been wanting to design and build a paldarium for quite some time. I've been lurking for months reading and gathering as much info as possible. I have finally entered the design phase and have a couple questions. Originally, I planned on using my 125 gal tank. I don't like the idea of hoses and wires coming over the top so I thought I would install bulkheads, but the glass is tempered and might not survive the drilling process. So I thought I would custom build an acrylic tank. My new tank dimensions will be 60"x24"x36". I plan on having a 10-12" water feature in the front leaving 20-24" of height (after substrate) for plants to grow. My first question is how important will a vent be in this size tank? I have a ceiling fan in this room that runs frequently to circulate air. Would I need something that stretches across the entire top of the tank or could I get away with a couple holes on the side and maybe use computer fans to blow fresh air in occasionally? Does the position of the vent matter (over land, over water)?

Grimm · #2 04-28-2010, 05:35 PM

First of all...DO NOT try and drill your tempered glass, it will shatter just like a windshield into a million tiny pieces. Have you considered making a background using your 125 gal tank? You could run all your piping, water lines, and mechanical equipment behind it. Then all you would need is a drilled acrylic top to allow the lines to pass through hidden.

Kinda like this one.... http://www.aquaticquotient.com/galle...m_fullview.jpg
Im sure circulation is more important then venting. My tank has suffered without any. Most people tend to point the fans toward the front glass. It keeps the condensation to a minimum and visibility up

chillplants · #3 04-28-2010, 07:02 PM

It is certainly within the realm of possibilities to keep the 125 and build around the limitations. I originally thought about taking the tank to a local glass company and have them replace the bottom with glass that can be drilled. I'm sure I could give them a blueprint of sorts to show where I want the holes drilled and have them take care of it all. The owner is an aquarium nut and knows how to make the modifications.

taipan · #4 04-29-2010, 08:39 AM

"Chillplants & Grimm
Check "the "Aquaticquotient" forum for "Eddyplanner's" new vivarium which is approx.4ft high. He has cut a rectangular area for air movement & stuck a mesh over it. He has downloaded photo's of it & said it was completed yesterday or today. It is what I would like but I have other things in the pipeline at the moment which will have priority.

taipan · #5 04-29-2010, 08:49 AM

Just to add to what I wrote earlier, venting can be used for air circulation. If you check Eddyplanners photos he has cut a rectangular hole in the vivarium & stuck mesh over it. If you put a vent or vents just above the water line this would allow cooler air in & force the hot air ( around the light souce ) out through the top. There is some Dutch Vivarium sites that have this.

Epiphile · #6 04-29-2010, 08:55 AM

Chillplants, I would say that whatever tank you end up doing, plan for a vent that you can cover completely or partially- better to work it into the design plan than have to cram it in later.

Replacing the bottom glass on that 125 would be a piece of cake- have your guy cut and drill the glass to your specs and install it yourself. Failing that, you might be able to get away with drilling holes low on the back, but I don't know whether the sides would be tempered as well.

A custom acrylic tank in those dimensions would cost a fortune, and you'd have to engineer it to withstand warping due to heat and humidity- important considerations. You might be better off working with epoxy-sealed plywood and facing with glass at that point- you'll certainly save some money.

Welcome to the forum- looking forward to seeing what comes of this plan.

beckdg · #7 04-29-2010, 09:36 AM

what animals/type of environment? tropical? where are you located... is it tropical there too? where will it be located when it's done? if it's in a house what's the environment?

the reason i ask is if you want a tropical palu at 80*F and ~80%RH in a living room with 70*F and 65%RH venting it is going to want to bring it to ~47%RH at 80*F.

before you cut holes for anything make sure you know what you're using and cut the hole according to that... obviously. bulkheads will need a certain size, vent holes will have to be according to the vent covers and circulation holes will have to be according to your hoses, contraption, etc..

i believe eddy planer lives in the tropics so venting can't hurt him too much...

look here for "is my glass tempered?" and THEN how to drill the tank... how it's done... favorite links thread ... if it's tempered, it can't be drilled of course...

of course you could use a drilled glass top also, going off what grimm posted.

aaron makes fine points as always...

welcome to the forum.

chillplants · #8 04-29-2010, 02:56 PM

Thanks to everyone for the comments. Cost is certainly an issue with the acrylic tank. I've been pricing this size acrylic tank and it will cost the majority of my budget. I have seen large successful plywood tanks and that may be the route I go. I would have lots of flexibility with bulkheads, holes for misters, vents (maybe small enough for a fan to blow in fresh air once or twice a day), even side panel slide out doors. I would only need glass for the top and front.
To answer beckdg's questions- I'm not sure what inhabitants (if any) I would include in the land area. I have looked at dart frogs and I'm not sure how I feel about the noises they make. I have listened to sound bits on the internet, but I don't know how that relates to a home environment. This enclosure will be in the main living area of my house and having the sound of croaking frogs all the time may get to me eventually. I would love to hear comments from others about this. The water portion will be quite large and I thought about a large school of cardinal and rummynose tetras.
I would like to create a rainforest jungle theme, high humidity. I live in Gainesville, FL, rH ~80%, house temps 75-80 in summer, 70-75 in winter. I have a couple unheated aquariums, so I try to keep the ambient room temp within the limits of the fish.

beckdg · #9 04-29-2010, 03:34 PM

all sounds good, and living down there you could definitely vent imho. keep us updated... looking forward to it.

Epiphile · #10 04-29-2010, 04:05 PM

Aren't D. tinctorius supposed to be quiet? Like a soft buzzing sound?