340 Gallon Mixed Reef

[ericdm]

just picked up a brand new acrylic tank this weekend long story short i was going to have a local builder build me a 10 ft 300 gallon tank and after 5 months of no tank or any progress i got my money back and found a steal on a brand new tank built by ATM with a stand.

Aquarium: Acrylic 72x36x30 Eurobraced 1" thick sides and 3/4" top and bottom built like a tank!!!

Lighting:3x24in LED fixtures BridgeLux 3w 24 18k white 24 455nm blue with 90 degree optics also 2 60in t5 ATI coral plus bulbs one in front of leds and one in back for a full spectrum balance

Skimmer: SRO 5000 INT with a 3" neck extension

Return Pump: Water Blaster 10,000 2600 GPH will build manifold for carbon and gfo then return to a single 1.5" seaswirl

Media reactors: dual Next reef MR1 media reactors carbon/gfo

Sump: custom made acrylic 48x16x16

Flow 1.5" seaswirl from return and 4x Korilia 1500 roughly 7300 gph flow through tank

Heaters: 2x 300 watt eheim jager in overflow box 1x200 watt eheim jager in sump

This is a reef ready tank with dual 1.5" drain bulkheads and 1" return bulkheads i will be using the 1.5" for the main drains and the 1" for emergency drains all controlled via gate valves. this will prolly be a slow build process as me and my wife are expecting our first child in November and i dont want to rush anything trying to set it up before the baby arrives. I plan on using 350-400 lbs of dry rock not sure which type yet could use some suggestions on that and prolly 250 lbs of live sand.

 

[ericdm]

i dont have much experience with woodworking but i figured i would give it a shot turned out pretty decent in my opinion for a rookie next up cabinet doors then i can focus on plumbing which the tank will be plumbed through the wall behind it where i will have my sump and filtration as well as rodi unit

 

[RJT]

Nice woodwork, especially for a rookie.

 

[ace_92101]

A very good looking tank. I like dimensions. It should give you lots of aquascaping possibilities. A very nice job on the wood work.

 

[ericdm]

Thanks ya i was surprised how well it came out and im thinking 240 lbs live sand and about 300 lbs of dry rock not sure from where but i plan on constructing some cool caverns and overhangs

 

[ericdm]

got all the lights mounted and wired up 3 24in led fixtures with 90degree optics and 2 ati coral plus bulbs with reflectors all lights are 8 inches above the water line or what will be the water line

 

[maddmaxx]

great dimensions for an aquarium. should be awesome build. if you used photobucket to upload pics, they would be bigger and easier to see. just an option lol... again tho, nice tank brotha man...

 

[ericdm]

Thank you and i was curious how people got there pictures bigger how exactly can i do that i always enjoy looking at other members large pictures

 

[SABOB]

Looking good.....as always,keep us updated with lots of pics

 

[Meanmike]

Looks nice! I almost went with an acrylic tank but decided not to because of scratching.

I would like to see it without the plastic around it.

 

[Meanmike]

Also you asked for rock suggestions I'm using brs pukani and shelf rock for my tanks.

 

[ericdm]

I will keep the pictures coming as i progress with the project i was thinking about BRS reef saver dry rock and shelf rock prolly 250 lbs reef saver and 50 lbs shelf rock i have heard with dry rock you get more rock per lbs because your not paying for water weight so not sure if that will be enough or not

 

[anbosu]

I think that will end up being more than enough. The guys that buy a pound per gallon of the dry stuff always end up with a ridiculous amount of rock in their tanks.

 

[ericdm]

good to know again i have no experience with dry rock all other tanks i have had were all live rock so i will stick with the initial thought of 250 lbs reef saver rock and 50 lbs shelf rock for some lice ledges i should have cabinet doors finished and stained this week and them hopefully next weekend start punching holes in the stand and wall behind the tank to work on plumbing

 

[ericdm]

Cabinets finished and hung next up plumbing

 

[ericdm]

Some updates

 

[slief]

http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Denniseric2/media/image_zps191336c3.jpg.html?sort=3&o=5

Looking good. With Photobucket, you need to copy the "IMG" link and paste that into your post. That will embed the pictures into the thread like this:

 

[ericdm]

280 lbs live sand and 235 lbs dry pukani dry rock for size reference that's a 40 lb bag of sand these hocks are huge and light amazing stuff showing my 4 korillia 1500 power heads in the center of the tank will be my return split 4 ways so this weekend should be a busy one :dance:

 

[Sagz70]

Can't wait for the aqua scape
Good luck with your build and congrats on your first child!

 

[ericdm]

Thank you we are very eexcited for the aqua scape I'm thinking of a half moon style that's tall in the middle and sweeps low near the front with lots of caves and over hanges and maybe a big arch not for sure yet still pplaying around with some ideas if anyone has any for me please share your thoughts