Oldsaint"s 300DD

[oldsaint]

Hello everyone! My name is Mike. I used to visit this board frequently in the past and have learned a tremendous amount from it's crew. I have a
few tanks I'd like to share. First is a 300DD I'm building. As with everything I do, all suggestions and comments are welcome. Heck, I can already see some
things I want to change. lol
After a year or so of planning, on Jan 1st 2014 I finally got to a point where I could add everything and start a cycle. I still have a lot to
do before it's "finished", are our tanks ever. But, now I have motivation to get it done. Over the next 90 days I'll be adding lights,
ATO/AWC, reactors and a equipment center to hold all the electronics.

Equipment list:

Tank: Marineland 300DD
Stand: R&J Enterprise Crown series
Sump: Custom design NextReef
Main Pump: Reef Flow Gold
Lighting" 4x GHL Mitras
Controller: Profilux deluxe
Doser: Profilux
Returns: 2x 1.5" Seaswirls
Reactors: 2x NextReef MR1 (GAC, GFO)
Rock: 220lbs Tonga Kaelini
Sand: 160lbs Somoa pink
Pwr Heads: 4x Eco Tech MP40


It all started with a complete remodeling of the interior of my house. I had an issue with an air handler inside leaking. They built
the stand it sat on out of particle board. Well, if you've had any experience with air handers they sweat and can leak, particle board is
probably not the best choice for support of something that can get wet. To make matters worse it tilted backward and was leaking water through
out the walls and did all kinds of damage before it was noticed.

My helper waiting to hand me tools. lol



Here the tank sits waiting for it's new home.



I've always had an issue with the wall behind tank get moist and damaging the dry wall. This time I used FRP Board http://www.frpshop.com/ behind it. Once the tank was in place
you hardly notice it.




At some point I got this bright idea to paint all my plumbing. IMO, it looks cool but what a PITA. I did end up finding a company that sells
furniture grade schedule 40 colored pvc. So after a few days of painting fiitings I was ready to start plumbing.









Leak checked it for about a week then added rock, sand and water. Now it's a wiating game. Well, except all the work left hanging lights and
adding the rest of the equipment.
Nothing special in the pics. Figured they would make a good before and after set.

 

[oldsaint]

ugh If someone can change the title for me. I know the Saints lost but I'm not ready to pull out the aint's bag.

 

[user 26995]

ugh If someone can change the title for me. I know the Saints lost but I'm not ready to pull out the aint's bag.

HAHA!!!
fixed it.

Sweet tank!

 

[spieszak]

I've always had an issue with the wall behind tank get moist and damaging the dry wall. This time I used behind it. once the ank was in place you hardly notice it.

used what?

I love how neat and tidy the plumbing is. I really like the DD tanks, but I've always disliked the 'only' 6 foot length... seems once you get that big, you should get 8 feet by default.

 

[oldsaint]

used what?

I love how neat and tidy the plumbing is. I really like the DD tanks, but I've always disliked the 'only' 6 foot length... seems once you get that big, you should get 8 feet by default.

I should really learn to proof read stuff.

FRP Board http://www.frpshop.com/

I had a 260 96"x24"x27" and loved the 8'. This time space was an issue in the whole plan. But, I'm already thinking about a 10' fowlr aggressive tank. :becky:

 

[CarlaW]

I like it.................. mind if I keep track of this?

 

[oldsaint]

I like it.................. mind if I keep track of this?

Please do!!

HAHA!!!
fixed it.

Sweet tank!

Thank you!

 

[CarlaW]

What kind of rock?

 

[oldsaint]

Tonga Kaelini . That I don't think you can get anymore.

It is from my old 260.

 

[CarlaW]

You must have cleaned it up a bit huh? I have all Kaelini in my 300!!! I like the new aquascape, any idea how much rock you have?

 

[spieszak]

thanks for the follow up, i hadn't thought about that stuff, although i have considered green board with kitchen abd bath paint... there will be a bigger tank in my future.. its just going to take more time than i'd like to get ,there. i'd like to tag along also

 

[oldsaint]

I'm guessing 220. I forgot to weight it. I have 600lbs laying around. Spent a whole day acid washing it all. Then just start picking pieces out and playing with the design. I think I changed my mind 100 times.


One of the many structures I came up with. I made a cardboard cut out of the tank and added tape around the edges to make room for an algae clean to pass.

 

[CarlaW]

You looking for mostly LPS here? really like the open spot in the middle of the sand bed!!!!

 

[oldsaint]

It will be SPS dominate. I'm sure I'll have a couple Euphyllia, and Chalice corals but a tank full of pretty sticks is what I'm going for, with lots of tiny fish.

I haven't decide what to do in the open space. I had a nice T. gigas in the 260 and was thinking about another one. I am open for suggestions. It's about a 24x24 area.

 

[CarlaW]

I think it is a great spot for lps, but that is just me. Maybe a plate coral or 3? What lighting you going with?

 

[oldsaint]

I bought 3 GHL Mitras right after MACNA Dallas. About a month ago I bought a 4th. Probably don't need it but I like the spacing and the appearance better with 4. They'll be controlled with a Profilux.

I haven't completely figured out how I want them hung. I thought about leaving the canopy off but like the look of it on. If I leave it on I want to cut openings in it to allow for better air flow. You can't mount these fixtures in a canopy. Either way I'm looing at 80/20 material http://www.8020.net/ for building a light rack.

 

[CarlaW]

I like the lights, it will be interesting to see your growth over time with the LEDS. mine has slowed way down since i put mine on.

 

[spieszak]

I thought about that stuff for hanging lights over my fuge.. ended up just using conduit because it was available locally so if/when I didn't measure something correctly, I wouldn't wait weeks to replace/change it. If you use it, I'd be really interested in your thoughts on it. Were you planning to submit a 'plan' to them and let them figure out the cuts and angles, or just getting the material and working it yourself?

 

[oldsaint]

I thought about that stuff for hanging lights over my fuge.. ended up just using conduit because it was available locally so if/when I didn't measure something correctly, I wouldn't wait weeks to replace/change it. If you use it, I'd be really interested in your thoughts on it. Were you planning to submit a 'plan' to them and let them figure out the cuts and angles, or just getting the material and working it yourself?

I talked to them about submitting a plan about a month ago but haven't decided what I'm dong. But, They seemed nice folks and eager to help. Before I commit, I need to get a sample in hand so I can get a visual.

I like the lights, it will be interesting to see your growth over time with the LEDS. mine has slowed way down since i put mine on.

One of my concerns. I have a 47 cube I'm sort of using as a grow out tank/pre stage for the 300. It has a 250 MH over it. I've had it up about a year with 20+ sps in it.

 

[CarlaW]

Alot depends on whether you just want to grow stuff slow or if you are gong to turn it into a factory saint, know what I mean. Looking back, I found the receipt when I shipped you a bunch of stuff back in to good old days.................lol. that was when the only thing i had on my mind was growing it for profit. Now I have mellowed, and changed my thinking a bit, if you couldn't already tell that..................LOL