SteveK's 300 gallon reef tank build

[stevek]

I have am purchasing a 300 gallon glass tank and want to get advice on the build as I go along.
I am planning on this taking awhile so please be patient.
Tank is a used Glass Cages 300 gallon (96" x 30" x 25" tall), with 4 openings on top. Overlows at each end. I will be using it as a freestanding room divider.

Here is a drawing of the stand frame that I am planning on.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/PlywoodStandFrame.jpg
I plan on using 2 x 4's and 2 x 2's. The top will be covered with 1/2" or 3/4" plywood along with the bottom shelf for a 75 gallon sump/ refugium.

Anyone see any issues with the frame as it is now?

I am struggling with the lights. Currently on my 90 gal I have 2-250 XM20k abd 2-VHO actinics. I like the light from the current set up which I did as a retrofit in a homemade fully enclosed canopy.
This time I want to have an open top tank and have a light that hangs from the ceiling. My wife would like some type of premade fixture. I cannot find anything 8' long. Any of the 4' long lignt seem to want to have the MH;s right over the cross brace when 2 are put end to end (not to mention any airflow issues). Any thoughts on what I can get? I would like to go with 4 250watt pendants, but I still want the actinics as well.
Thanks Steve

[lReef lKeeper]

i have not seen a 96" fixture. i think they only make them up to 72". you may have to go with 2 48" fixtures and suspend them from the ceiling.

the stand looks like it would work out fine to me, but you may want to add another center support brace and move the other one down a little (create 3 same length sections). like this ...

end ------- brace ------- brace ------- end

i am along for the ride on this build !!

[Mr. Tang]

SteveK

Glad to see some planning starting on the 300.

And had a great time talking to you and seawaterguy at the christmas/frag party today!!

[CarmieJo]

There is always my stock lighting recommendation Solaris. :) But I think the longest they come is 72" as well.

[PhotoJohn]

what about just building a floating fixture out of thin light metal or wood and hanging that as a complete unit?

[stevek]

After a long time off I am starting up again.
I have cut up the wood for the perimeter of the tank.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/IMG_0277.jpg
Hopefully I can start assembling when I get back from my trip.
I think I have found an old 72 light fixture I can modify for this tank. I have 80" between the overflows. So I will try and put MH's on the ends to get the end of the tank.
Steve

[Mr. Tang]

Looking good, Is that light fixture from Bryant???

[stevek]

That would be the one.
Steve

[stevek]

I have started putting the frame together.

Here is a picture of the start of the frame assemble .
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/IMG_02931.jpg
Here is the skimmer inside. Not much room and this is without the plywood and tank for the sump.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/IMG_02941.jpg
Good thing you do not need much room to remove the skimmer cup.

Steve

[dfisch1]

It is looking good. I would create a hanging light fixture about 7'6" out of sheet metal or light wood (1/4" ply and 1 X ? Stock). I would include 4 HM lamps spaced so that they were at 1, 2, 2, 1 foot intervals from the edge of the tank. I would also include at least eight 48" VHO Actinic lights set in four groups of 2. I would set them two sets of each side of the HM offset enough to allow them to fit with the fixture. I suggest mounting the ballasts on top of the fixture using 1X stock to create a visual barrier to hide them. I would also include several fans, at least one on each end and a couple set inside of the 1X stock. If you would like me to send you a set of plans just PM me and I will try to get you a set of plans in a couple of days.

[CarmieJo]

Steve,

Good to see you making forward progress again. Please keep the pix coming!

[Skurvey Dog]

I have started putting the frame together.

Here is a picture of the start of the frame assemble .
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/IMG_02931.jpg
Here is the skimmer inside. Not much room and this is without the plywood and tank for the sump.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/IMG_02941.jpg
Good thing you do not need much room to remove the skimmer cup.

Steve

Hello Steve and welcome to TR! Whewwwwwww! You better be extra careful with those inside measurements as one can NEVER have enough head room in the stand when it comes to a sump/fuge. In my member tank journal I have a saga listed there in regards to just such as you have mentioned. Right now, it may not seem like a big deal, but my friend, if extra overhead is not added, it can become a major issue with the plumbing installation, and maintenance can be a real killer as there is no working and bending room. I had to scrap the stand I had gotten and had to rebuild a second stand due to the inside measurements not being as adequate as I thought that they would prove to be. A few inches extra can be everything. JMHO :huh: Glad you're off to a good start and I will look forward to following your progress. You have a monster in the making! How exciting.

[nay,kid]

I agree with lori you're pretty colse to the top of your skimmer and more room would make maintenance easier. its also nice to have a bit taller tank for viewing. just my two cents. sounds like a cool project.

[bluereefccat]

Steve, I agree with the others. I have a 180 and the bottom of the tank is 42'" from the floor. It may seem a little tall but you will need every extra inch you can get. One extra benefit of increased tank height is ease of viewing. Don't forget to use a ladder when aquascaping and maintenance. I cracked a 180 by leaning to hard on the glass. Oops Walter

[stevek]

I do not really have any height to give up for the stand. Plus I want to view it while sitting down at my desk.
I have done the measurements many times to make sure it will work with the skimmer. That is why i got the skimmer that is only 24" tall. I have 2" for removal of the skimmer cup which only needs less than 1/2".
We see how it goes in the future. I hope I do not need to redue the stand like you did skurvey dog.
The frame for the stand is almost complete. I still have to screw the bottom plywood to the frame.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/IMG_02771.jpg
Steve

[Skurvey Dog]

:up: That's good Steve. I just would hate for someone to have to go through what I did.... it was painful. My skimmer was good, when came to the plumbing it killed me. And the sides of my sump/fuge didn't have room for me to get my arm in there and do everything I wanted to do. I'm glad you'd eye balled everything and are satisfied. Just friends looking out for friends. Can't wait to see you get the stand finished and then on to the best part. :-)

[stevek]

Well after another sleepless night worrying about how to get the tank into the basement after going over the hills and dales by foot; the tank is finally in the basement.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/IMG_02781-1.jpg
MANY MANY MANY Thanks to Kevin, Bryant, Gabe (the manager) from Down Under in Garner NC and Matt.

Now I guess I get to worry about flooding the basement again.
Steve

[Skurvey Dog]

Wowsers, looks like that took a major undertaking to move. :showoff: Looks good, I know you are excited.

[CarmieJo]

Woohoo! The Eagle has landed.

[stevek]

You know how big a tank looks in the store? And now it looks like 3 times larger than that in the house.
I had even marked it out on the floor to see how big it was and it still seems bigger.
If I do not have enough room in it now I will probably have to flood the basement. At least that is what the kids keep telling me.

[CarmieJo]

I bet it does look huge in the house! You may just have to bring it to my house and go with Plan B and flood the basement. Look at it this way, it is not everyone who has an indoor saltwater swimming pool!

[stevek]

Here is a picture of what the stand should look like when done.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/PlywoodStand.jpg
I have started on collecting the cherry I need. Anyone have some 4/4 Cherry laying around that they do not need, willing to ship or close to Garner NC? Or a good place to purchase?
Steve

[Reefbaby]

looking good Steve!

No cherry....but, I've got some pits I could give you! :rotfl:

[Mr. Tang]

Steve

Check with our local timber mills. They should have it or can direct you to a person that has it. I have a buddy that owns a small sawmill that comes into some cherry every once in a while. Or check with Stock. If anybody has it,,,they would

Mr. Tang

[Mr. Tang]

What program are you using for your drawing????

[Skurvey Dog]

That is really gonna be a beauty when you finish it Steve! I especially like the end access door there. That will really come in handy! Good luck on locating the wood you need. :up: And hello Mr Tang!

[Mr. Tang]

Whats up skurvey dog Whereabouts are you in S.C.???

[stevek]

I am using Google SketchUp

[CarmieJo]

Steve, it is looking really nice! I love cherry, when I was a kid my sister and I had antique cherry bedroom furniture. We just thought it was old. If it was antique when I was a kid what is it now??

[stevek]

Back in style.

[CarmieJo]

Back in style.:lol:

[stevek]

I thought you might like that.
Steve

[stevek]

Still in the slow progress mode. But a little progress after changing out the tank for a new one.
"Here are a couple of pictures.

A few shavings from milling the wood.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/20081005_0033.jpg

Here are a few of the pieces after sanding.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/20081005_0034.jpg

And looking at how to fit it onto the stand.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/SlimJimRD/300%20Gallon%20Reef/20081005_0035.jpg

Steve

[Mr. Tang]

come on man!! build that tank

[CarmieJo]

It is positive progress! And you know what I say, only disasters happen fast!

[saltaddict]

Just read through your thread and the tank will be awesome!!

I know we reefers are suppose to be patient - but I think you deserve the award for patience!