Mermaid Tank

**MermaidKaelyn** · 11-19-2015, 10:28 PM

Hi guys! Not sure if this is the right place to post this but I was wondering if anyone knows where to buy/rent a mermaid tank or a large tank in general. Also looking for directions for a DIY tank, it's for a festival I'm planning

I'm hoping to make it big enough to hold two mermaids at a time, nothing fancy, just a clear tank that can be filled with water.

Thanks Mers!!!

**Mer-Crazy** · 11-19-2015, 11:32 PM

Whilst I cannot help you with the first question I can say it is heavily advised that you DONT attempt to make your own take unless you have training in building things like that. Mermaid tanks are exceptionally dangerous at the best of times. One large enough to fit 2 mermaids would not only be a greater danger but also much more difficult, not to mention expensive, to transport and set up.

Home made tanks have a greater risk of collapsing under the weight if they are not made properly and the sides bursting, that means your mermaids would go sailing out the side with the water, possibly encountering sharp points of glass left on the side or the shattered remains of the side on the ground once they spill out.

The bottom line, essentially, unless you're a professional I wouldn't attempt it.

**Mermaid Wesley** · 11-19-2015, 11:37 PM

This has been discussed before but DIY-Ing a tank is super dangerous. The acrylic has to be really thick and water is heavy. A tank for two mers is going to weigh a TON and tanks have to be level. If not you rust blowing out a seam. Even if you have a level concrete slab to put it on, it could break the concrete. I know some mers have done it but it will likely be very very expensive and will require someone who knows what they're doing. Your best bet will be searching your area. Talk to tropical fish stores, Aquariums, and Google to see if they know anyone. You might want to DIY a koi pond instead as its safer and easier.

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**Mermaid Wesley** · 11-19-2015, 11:38 PM

Ah you beat me to it

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**Triton-Mahtlinnie** · 11-20-2015, 12:04 AM

Doesn't Merbella's tank weigh 5 tons when full of water? And it only fits one mermaid.

This thread is sort of the go-to for mermaid tanks/performance tanks http://mernetwork.com/index/showthre...rylic-Mer-Tank

one cheaper solution I've heard of is mers renting dunk tanks. Probably won't fit two in there, but it's an option.

**Theobromine** · 11-20-2015, 03:55 AM

They're not terribly pretty, but you could also get a livestock tank that holds 200-300 gallons, you can find them at farm supply stores (possibly hardware stores too, not sure). I had my tortoise in a 150 gallon one for a while and was sometimes tempted to fill it with water and splash around in it. They're rugged black plastic, but you could cover/decorate the sides, and they'll be a hell of a lot cheaper and safer than a glass or even an acrylic tank. Go to an aquarium store and check out their prices and you'll get the idea. And I want to re-emphasize what everyone else has said about how dangerous it is to try building your own tank if you're not a professional. It's not just a matter of knowing how to put the materials together, you have to also understand the physics of how much pressure water exerts on its container (water weighs roughly 8 pounds per gallon) and how to calculate the thickness you'd need based on the rigidity of the material you choose, whether or not you'll need center support braces, how to make sure everything is perfectly level so there aren't stress points in certain areas that would weaken the entire thing, etc. etc. I've been an aquarist for over 10 years and I still don't build my own tanks, even for my fishes. Not worth the risk.

**Theobromine** · 11-20-2015, 04:00 AM

Just as a quick reference, these are the stock tanks I'm talking about: http://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com/...rcpNum=4242-88

So it would be more like a pond effect than a tank, but they're easy to fill and drain, super durable and easy to transport when empty (I managed to squeeze the 150 into the back of my little Subaru and it was big enough that I could have lounged in it comfortably) and it wouldn't be hard to decorate the sides of it to look more like a pond or lagoon or something.

**MermaidKaelyn** · 12-03-2015, 05:48 PM

Thanks everyone! I had no clue about any of this starting out so I'm glad I asked

I just remember going to a fishing tournament with my mom (gasp I know) and there was this giant trailer (like one that sits an 18 wheeler pulls) that was clear all around and there were a lot of fish swimming around in it. So I was basically thinking "oh I just need a lot smaller one". Where it would be it would stay for a couple years so I wasn't too worried about transportation.

As far as dunk tanks I've been in one

It was super small and I couldn't even sit completely underwater in it. I have a kiddie pool that works for events, I was just looking into finding something better.

**Mermaid Jaffa** · 03-03-2016, 10:10 PM

How bout one of those big skip bins? The kind you see behind restaurants and outside construction places. Just clean it out with bit of elbow grease and disinfectant. And line it with a big sheet of pvc plastic.