520 Gallon Shark Tank Build

[Steve77]

Around January, I decided to start a tank for sharks and rays. I first purchased Scott Michael's book "Aquarium Sharks and Rays". After reading it cover to cover (first time i've done that when it wasn't for college) I decided to go with a tank big enough to breed Epaulette sharks. Acrylic sheets are mainly sold in 8' x 4' sheets so that is the largest you can go withough making an exponential price increase. With the base dimensions decided, I began work on the stand.







After the frame was built, I added plywood to the bottom, side and back of the stand.

[Steve77]

Once the stand was framed, the whole thing was painted in a water resistant primer and skinned in oak plywood.





Oak accents were then added to the stand.











Everything was then stained, varnished and moved to its final spot.

[Steve77]

Angry child!!



I then built a wet/dry filter out of an old 75 gallon tank.









The tank took over a week to fill with RO/DI water.

[redwinger]

Awesome!

[deathmatch782]

very very nice

[David Grigor]

Stand probably was as much fun as the tank to move......

[coldwaterreefer]

wow

[Alero]

very nice indeed!!

[Twins Guy]

awesome work! nice diy work with the sump too! looking forward to your meeting-hint, hint
tg

[Steve77]

I decided to go with a hanging hood and it is constructed the same way as the stand. I added about 500 pounds of Southdown sand (yay dust storm) to get a 2" sandbed. This is the tank today while it cycles for a few months. The waiting begins.

[hardlife]

how long did it take to get it as far as you have? what are the dim of the tank

[davidsreef]

Keep us updated! How many sharks do you hope to keep in your tank?

[Sizzlersonthebrain]

glad I waited to post my "WOW"
are you going to start with shark eggs or?

[smeese]

That tank Kicks major you know what~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Loralie]

Love the stand