> I have finally decided to bite the bullet and move my hobby out of the
> house and into a small fish house. Given spacial limitations, the fish
> house will hold a small number of tanks (around 4 tanks of 100-150 litres,
> 4-6 breeding/fry tanks of 50-60 litres capacity). Can anyone give me any
> ideas or best options as to:
Like Rob said, double the size and then some. Make sure you make your
height adequate to put 3 rows of tanks in with the bottom one 20 cm off
the ground and the same gap between each tank allowing for the thickness
of your stand/polystyrene also.
> (a) insulation (given that Melbourne experiences huge fluctuations in
> temperature, from lows of 2-3C to highs of 43C);
If you want to be cheap, find a battery place. You can usually pick up
pallet sized pieces of polystyrene 1 inch thick for free. Double them
with glue, waterproof and fireproof them and you're done.
> (b) heating; and
I didn't heat my room except a couple of tanks that I wanted to keep hot.
> (c) filtration.
Take your pick!
> I also want to maximise the amount of natural light in order to grow
> aquatic plants, and to display the bows at their best. However, this has
> to be weighed up against the loss of heat during winter or too much heat
> during summer. As I will be having the fish house built to specifications,
> what sort of roofing materials would be best suited ?
If you have the money there is polycarbonate roofing material,it comes in
clear and "smokey" (or something like), get the smokey stuff. You will
have to shade it most likely unless you are like me and keep desert
fish. One time back in 1993 the top tanks in my fishroom were all at
40oC (104oF) for about three days during a Melbourne heat wave. I didn't
loose a fish, but those weak shitty pathetic fish from PNG won't hack
that kinda treatment. You could try calling my friend, Colin Brumley at
9548 0700, he might be able to get it for you, or direct you to where he
got the stuff I used.
Tootles
Peter Unmack