The 700 gal indoor sunken garden project

[medicineman]

@folks,

I know the height of the glass will be something you guys debate on. I've had my headache during planning and execution. It is a controversy and finally I decided for a mere 60cm. I could have use 80cm like my 1000L tanks, but that would proof out of the question. Now take a good look on how this guy is doing the filter box.



Yes he is inside and standing. That gives you the idea on how deep the pond area is. There is more of depth than you can see from the pic trough the murky mater (sorry, nothing I can do to make it clear soon). It is already 90 cm+ at some points, going deeper will only make it harder for me to set it as a planted tank. Lighting and maintenance will be harder issue for me. At current condition I already must get my pants wet if something is wrong inside the pond where I cannot reach from outside

[DR.V]

Hei medicineman,

Is the volume of that pond 700 gal ?

What sort of fish are you going to put in there ??

Thanks

[whitepine]

I think the tank height is perfect... and great views. I hate having to take off my shirt to work on a large tank, much less climbing in it to move things around! I can't wait to see this tank totally planted. Awesome job medicineman.

Cheers, Whitepine

[CardBoardBoxProcessor]

well at the very least it could have gone into the ground some haha but then you would not see the bottem dwellers..

[JenThePlantGeek]

I agree with whitepine, I think the height is perfect

[medicineman]

@DR.V,
Yes, the pond-tank is approximately 700gallon, even though now I suspect it reach 800gallon. Still a long time to think and see about the fish.

@whitepine,
LOL... getting naked to maintain a tank.

@CardBoardBoxProcessor,
Worry not, this one is quite deep to the bottom (part that cannot be seen). 30-40cm cannot be too shallow.


Some pics, from last week.

The filter box is under further construction. Already you can see chambers taking shape.



From up close you need to sit or squat down to see under water and it is nice that you can pet with ease whatever fish you have.
A bit from a distance (right at the living room) a sofa or chair will do nicely as viewing point.

I decided the whole backdrop cliff decor will go right up to the opening, adding total height.

[DR.V]

Nice... very nice...

Where about do you live in Jakarta ?

I might come visit your home when I go back to Jakarta next month hehe ...

Good luck with the project ^^

[StUk_In_AfRiKa]

Umm wow... I'm speechless... wow

[medicineman]

@DR.V,
That would be south district area

Today's pics.



The filter chambers are almost complete.

And here is the finished top part of the backdrop. The job is blend in, creating continuous cliff up to the opening, which is still under design process. I'm asking for frames and laminated glass skylight.




Talking about top view pond. I saw took this one at Singapore's zoo. They do know what they are doing, I love the zoo with lush rainforest look. Highly recomended!





Arowanas and freshwater stingrays The first one is quite compatible with plants, the second one I do not know and it is likely not compatible.

[Martin]

I love your idea medicineman!
I have a 3000gal pond, and wish I had a viewing window.
I read your journal, and can't help get expensive ideas!

[A Hill]

You have some good workers there working quite fast! Hopefully sooner or later the top will blend in with the bottom part of the "cliff"

As for fish stingrays are plant safe, but you would need to have a large sandy area for them, so it would really take a bunch of your space out. I vote for something along the lines of angles! Maybe make this a huge shrimp farm lol.

This is turning out amazing!

- Andrew

Ohh and I got a penpall in school, in Maylasia should be interesting!

[TheOtherGeoff]

aros do great with plants. mine loved to swim amoung them and never harmed them. i think that would be sweet.

[SnyperP]

There are quite a few people who keep aros in planted tanks. There are quite a few pictures over at arofantatics.

[medicineman]

@Symbiot,
LOL.. reading the thread is like drinking "poison".
You'll love this pic I shot at Singapore's Jurong bird park (highly recomended for tourist and businessmen alike!). A bit OOT but still has something to do with a garden pond-tank project. Trust me you'll love the place.





From the top it looks top notch as well.



The only thing it lacks is descent amount of aquatic plants.

Now go and echant magic on that pond of yours (I believe would be painfully expensive).

@Fish Newb,
Sure they work fast, but far from their actual capacity. The workers did partial job, sometimes for just a day or two in a week. I asked them to plan their job after all, matching the house progress. They do not mind at all because I pay what they did, and they are free to plan and decide their own work.
Shrimp farm? definately. My tanks are already shrimp farms, this pond should be as well, as long as I do not use highly predatory fish. I just need to keep enough plant load and they will breed in no time. Hey, I throwed some cherry shimps into my koi pond last month. Lets wait several months and see if I can harvest any. I mean there are lots of algae and the filter chambers are just perfect for shrimps.

@SnyperP,
That is quite a good specimen of red tailed golden arowana. I also like red dragon, the most prestigious and beautiful arowana. They are just the ferrari of arowanas, nothing beats the kind.
But they cost a lot and it would be disaster if the fish decided to jump out

[CardBoardBoxProcessor]

reen snakes heads? or are those local fish as well? haha