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.
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
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 !!
__________________ Bobby
"I FORMERLY glued animals to rocks" NO TANK RIGHT NOW, but you never know when I might throw one together !! I have everything I need but the time!!
Show people you appreciate their advice! Click the icon under their name to add to their reputation.
After a long time off I am starting up again.
I have cut up the wood for the perimeter of the tank.
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
Here is a picture of the start of the frame assemble .
Here is the skimmer inside. Not much room and this is without the plywood and tank for the sump.
Good thing you do not need much room to remove the skimmer cup.
Steve
__________________ Currently 90 gallon reef with 10 gallon homemade sump/fuge
Working on 300 gallon with 75 gallon sump
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" VHOActinic 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.
__________________ When you think you know everything they give you a Bachelor's,
When you realize that you know nothing they give you a Master's,
When you realize you know nothing but it is ok because they don't ether then you get a Doctoral.
Here is a picture of the start of the frame assemble .
Here is the skimmer inside. Not much room and this is without the plywood and tank for the sump.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
Steve
__________________ Currently 90 gallon reef with 10 gallon homemade sump/fuge
Working on 300 gallon with 75 gallon sump
SteveK's 300 gallon reef tank build 
icon under their name to add to their reputation. 
But I think the longest they come is 72" as well.
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.
