Petsmart-esque DIY tank plan?

[Siren]

Does anyone have a link or access to a DIY tank similar to the ones that Petsmart has with their aquaric plants in it? The one that is square (really 4 tanks in a square) and cascades from the highest to the lowest? I'd really like to make a version of that, but I can't find a good place to begin...

Also, would each 1/4 tank have to have it's own filter?? Or would the overflowing water be enough??

 

[Plecosterone]

One filter would be enough as long as it is big enough. Remember you don't need as much filtration because there is no fish in it. I was actually thinking of making one for myself because I hate throwing out my trimmings. There are a couple of ways to make one. The easiest way would be to have the outside all the same height and just put baffles like in a sump at different levels. If you email me with the size you want I could draw you up some basic dimensions.
By the way I love NC. it is beautiful down there. Might move there some day.

 

[Aussie_hippie_2]

This sounds like an awesome idea, I'm just wondering what size tank you would need for it. Though I must say I don't exactly see why this helps the plants that much.

 

[Corbin]

Haha, i was gonna make one too.

its pretty easy

thats what you mean right?

 

[marcos]

Ive always wanted one of these for a reef tank and sometimes you can get them from pet shops that are going out of business or no longer have the room but for some reason I always seem to be a couple days late on getting one

 

[Siren]

My next question would be how would you keep fish in these tanks???

 

[Plecosterone]

They are not really designed to keep fish in them although I can't see why you couldn't. Small fish like tetras might be ok but they might all wind up in the bottom tank after awhile. Like a water park for fish, lol.

 

[legendaryfrog]

Thats cool. I had some thoughts about building something like this for my office at work, except with eight 1 sq. foot cubes connected together.

I might just order some 1 sq. foot acrylic sheets in the near future. On the TAP plastics website, for around $100 i can get enough squares to build this.

 

[Aquaken]

If the sides are high enough I'd just keep kuhli loaches and ots/plecos/sae in it. It would be cool just to see which tank the kuhlis were in each day.

 

[echoofformless]

Owing to the PetsMart inspiration, I would say such a thing would make a really great invert tank; as some PetsMarts keep a few shrimp for algae control.