PortlandReefer
Active member
New tank time! I haven’t attempted a tank “build” thread before but thought I would share my experience. I am putting in a new tank… not by choice though. Last month I was looking at the tank (150gal) and noticed there was a little crack in it . Apparently the top was not cut correctly (when built) and it has caused stress on it and so the little crack is getting bigger. Yikes! So either it is time to get a new tank or get out of reefing. Hmmmmm… I don’t want to get out.
The new tank is a (48x48x30) 300gal the dimensions on the tank have been my concept of a dream tank forever. The idea came from a LFS (Upscales - famous for "Home of the Original Oregon Torte"). They have the exact same size of tank as one of their display tanks.The tank was locally made by a guy from the PNWMA, (Charles). Everyone who has a tank made by him has only had good things to say. The metal stand was made from another local guy, (Taylor)...he has worked with metal for years and has a pretty good reputation. Very happy with the frame he made for the tank. I have been busy creating the woodwork for the stand. My first attempt at this....(wife) picked the colors. It is still a work in progress, And yes...Steve is still around...doing cold water reef right now. He has gotten a few ppl started on this type of reefing....starting a new trend. I will keep you guys posted as I move forward. My thought was to try to make the tank look like it is part of the room, (kind of like a divider coming out from the wall). It will be placed on the second floor with a main brace directly below it. The stand was made out of (2x4) square metal tubing. If my calculations are correct, (been a while since geometry class), the contact points of the stand will only be bearing roughly (187lbs) (per sq. inch), * if the whole package weighs 6,000lbs. The garage is directly below the tank so the two 55 gallon food grade drums for mixing and water changes will be held there. For some reason the wife doesn’t appreciate having them in the dining room….sheesh….go figure!
Equipment:
All will be controlled by an APEX
Return pump will be a Reeflo dart through (2) 1” sea swirl’s.
Flow will be (2) MP’s 40
The reactor will be a Korallin C-4002
Skimmer was made by a guy here local rated for 450 heavy bio load, (yeah for keeping it local)!
Using 2 BRS media reactors for GFO and carbon when needed.
Using a BRS 2 Part Doser accurate 1.1mL per minute to dose Mag.
Lighting:
Going to go with LED’s (Built by the same guy local…woo hoo). He is using the same casing as the other similar ones out there but at a more economical price. But I’m not total sold on LED’s so I got a great deal on some T-5 retro kit (Free….is ALWAYS good) So I am going to do (8) T-5’s and (4) of the LED’s fixtures. I know the T-5’s wont penetrate 30” but I don’t need them too. I really don’t plan on putting SPS’s that low. It will allow me to keep low light coral LPS’s in the tank with SPS.
Here is the lay out for the lighting:
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
LED
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
LED
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Here is the starting of the stand
I skined the stand with 3/4 and used 16lb magnets.
The new tank is a (48x48x30) 300gal the dimensions on the tank have been my concept of a dream tank forever. The idea came from a LFS (Upscales - famous for "Home of the Original Oregon Torte"). They have the exact same size of tank as one of their display tanks.The tank was locally made by a guy from the PNWMA, (Charles). Everyone who has a tank made by him has only had good things to say. The metal stand was made from another local guy, (Taylor)...he has worked with metal for years and has a pretty good reputation. Very happy with the frame he made for the tank. I have been busy creating the woodwork for the stand. My first attempt at this....(wife) picked the colors. It is still a work in progress, And yes...Steve is still around...doing cold water reef right now. He has gotten a few ppl started on this type of reefing....starting a new trend. I will keep you guys posted as I move forward. My thought was to try to make the tank look like it is part of the room, (kind of like a divider coming out from the wall). It will be placed on the second floor with a main brace directly below it. The stand was made out of (2x4) square metal tubing. If my calculations are correct, (been a while since geometry class), the contact points of the stand will only be bearing roughly (187lbs) (per sq. inch), * if the whole package weighs 6,000lbs. The garage is directly below the tank so the two 55 gallon food grade drums for mixing and water changes will be held there. For some reason the wife doesn’t appreciate having them in the dining room….sheesh….go figure!
Equipment:
All will be controlled by an APEX
Return pump will be a Reeflo dart through (2) 1” sea swirl’s.
Flow will be (2) MP’s 40
The reactor will be a Korallin C-4002
Skimmer was made by a guy here local rated for 450 heavy bio load, (yeah for keeping it local)!
Using 2 BRS media reactors for GFO and carbon when needed.
Using a BRS 2 Part Doser accurate 1.1mL per minute to dose Mag.
Lighting:
Going to go with LED’s (Built by the same guy local…woo hoo). He is using the same casing as the other similar ones out there but at a more economical price. But I’m not total sold on LED’s so I got a great deal on some T-5 retro kit (Free….is ALWAYS good) So I am going to do (8) T-5’s and (4) of the LED’s fixtures. I know the T-5’s wont penetrate 30” but I don’t need them too. I really don’t plan on putting SPS’s that low. It will allow me to keep low light coral LPS’s in the tank with SPS.
Here is the lay out for the lighting:
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
LED
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
LED
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Here is the starting of the stand
I skined the stand with 3/4 and used 16lb magnets.
Last edited:
eace:
