Thinking about a jelly tank

[DonW]

Considering another project. Basicly the round part would be plywood veneered with something nice like cocobolo with a matching or contrasting stand. The front and maybe the back panel would be glass.

Here is a basic pic. What do you think, cool or just plain ugly?

 

[Scooterman]

last time I went to a public aquarium, we saw this jelly tank of tiny jellies with glowing pink tentacles! Was way kool! The front on the tank was bubbled out like that & round but probably 4ft in diameter!

 

[DonW]

I'm thinking 36" would be the easiest and make the plate glass affordable.

Don

 

[Curtswearing]

I think that would look neat but it would be harder to work with the acrylic. If you went square on top, here's some kriesel design plans from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

http://www.mbari.org/midwater/tank/tank.htm

 

[DonW]

Basicly I would make a big seemless plywood cylinder and cap the ends with glass. Flip it up on end and cut open the top.

Don

 

[Curtswearing]

Basicly I would make a big seemless plywood cylinder and cap the ends with glass. Flip it up on end and cut open the top.

Don

I should have known that McGyver would have already thought this through.

BTW, should you get stuck, James at Envision Acrylics has helped some hobbyists before. (He did the kriesels for the Georgia Aquarium). http://www.envisionacrylics.com/

 

[DonW]

I should have known that McGyver would have already thought this through.

BTW, should you get stuck, James at Envision Acrylics has helped some hobbyists before. (He did the kriesels for the Georgia Aquarium). http://www.envisionacrylics.com/

Been thinking about it for a few years but just gota good deal on the material to make the seemless plywood cylinder. Ive already got the vac bag for a 24 and 36 cylinder so would just be another fun project.

Don

 

[jnarowe]

You know it would be sweet. You talking about warm or cold water jellies? The local MSC has got a decent one. I have never understood why they are always round, but my guess is to keep from injuring the jellies?

How would you light it? Maybe implanted LEDs?

 

[Curtswearing]

my guess is to keep from injuring the jellies?

Yes, they cannot swim....they can only float. They can literally get caught in the corner of a tank and get stuck there by current.

 

[ziggy]

There is one set up that is very similar at the Elysian bar and grill its on 1st st across the street from the stadium in Seattle. Very cool. How were you thinking of doing the intake and return?

 

[returnofsid]

Don, if anyone can pull it off, it'll be you. There better be lots of pics involved!! Have you solved flow and lighting issues? Lighting shouldn't be too much of a problem. I guess flow isn't really all that necessary either is it? With a 36" diameter tank, how large of a viewing area would you end up with? Really looking forward to seeing it in progress once you step off the drawing board!

 

[DonW]

Flow would have to be done through a curved overflow at the top. If youve ever seen a jelliquarium their grow out tanks use something similar. I dont know what to try warm or cold but my understanding is cold is easier but the startup cost of course higher.
Sid lights can be anything. Id probably go with leds. I like how seattle has theirs lit and I think its led. This would be more of a woodworking project than an aquarium, the tank part is easy and im thiking Id loose 2" of viewing panel with either the 24" or the 36".

Don

 

[jnarowe]

With your mad skills, you could implant the LEDs into the wood work around teh cylinder...but then a blown one would be tough to replace.

 

[NaH2O]

Coming from a female perspective, I think it would be really cool and not ugly at all. I can't wait to see it come together!

 

[DonW]

Coming from a female perspective, I think it would be really cool and not ugly at all. I can't wait to see it come together!

Just need to come up with acceptable back-up plan. Jelly fish are hard to come by so need to come up with a backup use for the tank if the jelly fish are not doable, maybe seahorses.

Don

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Just need to come up with acceptable back-up plan. Jelly fish are hard to come by so need to come up with a backup use for the tank if the jelly fish are not doable, maybe seahorses.

Don

Or a dozen of those cute little deep sea divers that rise and sink with air bubbles:lol::lol:

 

[DonW]

Or a dozen of those cute little deep sea divers that rise and sink with air bubbles:lol::lol:

Are you offering up the ones in your tank? I could use the rubber ones out of the fake jelly tanks.

Don

 

[NaH2O]

Seahorses would be neat in that tank. As long as they have good height in the tank. Would be an interesting species tank.....maybe a cuttlefish?

 

[DonW]

Seahorses would be neat in that tank. As long as they have good height in the tank. Would be an interesting species tank.....maybe a cuttlefish?

Ive even thought about an octo. Dwarfs would be fine but they tend to hide alot.

Don

 

[jnarowe]

They can't hide in a class tube though! :lol: