Is it possible to recreate a Monterey Aquarium-style home aquarium?

I will be building a house from the ground up in about 5 years.  I'm thinking about putting in a 15'x15' one-story-high fish tank similar to the one in Monterey aquarium, and recreate the same N Cal ocean condition.

In my preliminary sketch the tank will sit in the middle of the ground floor, dividing up the floor and with its walls becoming part of the walls of the rooms around it.  So the tank is visible from different rooms.

I'm wondering if anyone has knowledge of how this can be done (materials, specs, construction, water-proofing technology, etc.) and what is the least expensive way to do it.  Thanks.

wow....I am guessing one of the many issues will the 'glass' required to deal with that volume of water. (15x15x15 box has a volume of 3375 cubic feet. 1 cf of water is 62+ lbs. So you looking at 209K+ lbs of water). Someone please check my math...not my strong suit. Salt water aquariums are much more labor intensive to maintain. I wonder what the largest stand alone aquarium is? That may be a better way to go...Not nearly as impressive but way less daunting.

not to mention the legality with acquiring the fish species..

wow....I am guessing one of the many issues will the 'glass' required to deal with that volume of water. (15x15x15 box has a volume of 3375 cubic feet. 1 cf of water is 62+ lbs. So you looking at 209K+ lbs of water). Someone please check my math...not my strong suit. Salt water aquariums are much more labor intensive to maintain. I wonder what the largest stand alone aquarium is? That may be a better way to go...Not nearly as impressive but way less daunting.

the way I look at it, it is just an above-ground swimming pool with glass sidings....  I have seen a swimming pool with one glass side, which is what gave me the idea in the first place.

your height number should be brought down to about 8' which is about the normal height for a story.  But we know technically it is possible to have glass that strong, because Monterey already has one which is even taller...

Hi Yakers:

 Intel on Monster Tanks
                           Sea-ya
                           Ernie


http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Arapaiman_Monster_Tank_MFK_version.html
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/
Tank Contractor
http://www.tenji.com/private.html

Forget glass. You are probably wanting acrylic.

-Brian G

and flood insurance..

Also, have you ever had a fish tank, even the most basic one?

I have a outdoor koi pond at my house, with some large koi...Its a LOT of work... Filtration is everything, regular cleanings, keeping the PH levels balanced in the pond.. Leaks, equipment failure, and disease....

Who knows, you may have a ton of tank experience, but a tank that size, filled with salt water and delicate fish is a tremendous amount of work... your dealing with real lives of real fish that require your fullest attention...

Ive finally after years got a grip on my pond, but its non stop work. However the Koi successfully reproduced, and its was super cool....

However, the idea sounds amazing... But id start with a large saltwater tank first, before moving to a HUGE tank like that... Its a ton of work....

and what is the least expensive way to do it. 

If you really plan on doing this.....expense needs to not be a consideration.....at all.

Even after material and build costs the monthly upkeep bills are gonna be insane. To keep the water chilled to 55-60 degrees 24-7 is gonna be bank$$. 


WIth that being said....if you do get it done, can I dive it? 

Meh, it'll only cost like $80K to build, $10K to fill w/fish, and maybe $800/month to maintain. Mere chumpchange.

Your first link is a superb link!!  thanks!!  a ton of technical info and troubleshoot notes that will save me a lot of problems.

The size of my planned tank is much smaller and still can be adjusted downwards so it should be easier to management.  I can even cut it into 7'x15' and just have 2 main viewing panes and I would still feel satisfied.

Hi Yakers:

 Intel on Monster Tanks
                           Sea-ya
                           Ernie


http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Arapaiman_Monster_Tank_MFK_version.html
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/
Tank Contractor
http://www.tenji.com/private.html