350 Gallon In Wall Reef Build

[h2so4hurts]

Ah another big reef build. My 240 gallon reef will be dismantled at the end of the month and I will be moving everything into a new 350 gallon tank in the basement of my new house.

The new tank is currently being manufactured by fishtanksdirect (96"Lx24"Hx36"W):

And I got the first piece in, the 1.5" to 4-3/4" spa manifold:

Lighting will be with the 600w LED light rack I built for my previous 8ft tank, for now. I plan to upgrade to some Kessil A360WE's eventually. Most likely once I sell the old tank!

New additions to the tank will be:
Two new vortech mp40wes to go with my two mp60wes
Reef Octopus 300INT skimmer

Everything else will be very similar to my old tank build (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2217348). I'll be keeping the return pump (reeflo Snapper/Dart) but upgrading it to the "Dart" impeller for higher output.

I'll post some pictures of the floorplan and location of the in wall build in a couple days!

 

[FDAWG]

I love how you went 36" wide.

 

[lhemphill]

Can't wait to read more about your build! This is the same dimensions of my build in planning - nice choice

 

[lionfish300]

This is the same exact tank and builder I was looking at. How long did they quoted you for?

 

[h2so4hurts]

I wanted to go 48wx30h but that tank was a bit too pricey. My current tank is 24wx24h and I don't mind the height but I've always wanted a much deeper tank.

FishTanksDirect has been OK. They said it would take 7 weeks to build and then a week to ship. If they stick to that then it should be delivered next week, but I haven't heard anything about a shipment. I called last week and they said it would be done in a week or two. I'll have about a week to get it setup and move everything out of the old tank so it's all going to happen pretty fast.

 

[h2so4hurts]

Finally dug out the floor plan. I'm excited to finally have a basement and a fish room again.

 

[h2so4hurts]

Got some deliveries today!!

The tank

And because the acrylic gods want me to work hard on this tank, of course it arrived slightly damaged. I accepted the delivery because this is fixable, it's the side of the tank hidden behind the wall, and I can't wait another 2 weeks for them to build and ship me a new tank. I already ordered some 1 inch triangle stock and I have some weld-on 16 so we're just going to beef that side up to play it safe.

 

[TX_Reefer]

That sucks! Looks like it will be a nice build though.

 

[h2so4hurts]

Thanks TX, I'll get it shored up in a few days!

 

[smedlin]

did fishtanksdirect offer you any type of discount or refund since it was damaged?

How will that affect the warranty?

 

[h2so4hurts]

Haven't heard from FTD yet about what they are going to do. He did say that I shouldn't have accepted the delivery if the tank was damaged because they can't claim the damage on the insurance. Problem is I can't wait 2 weeks+ for them to build and ship me a new one and I'm not really worried about it being a structural issue since the seam is in tact and there aren't any cracks. There's no mention of a warranty on their site. I imagine if that seam blows I have bigger problems than the cost of a $2K fish tank on my hands.

 

[DOGGIE750]

Eurobrace the weakest segment, have them supply u w/ the needed panels/ legs/ glue to accomplish this. Also, make sure you will be credited for the hassle. GL man

Your build and basement is quite impressive, Congratz. Your living my dream, specifically the Theater room. Cheers.

 

[SpikeDangles]

going to be an awesome build. Too bad about the chip taken out. following along!

 

[h2so4hurts]

Suncoast Aquariums called today, they build FTDs tanks. They were super apologetic and are sending me some square stock for delivery on Monday. Things like this happen.

I cut and glued most of the stand today. I'll post some pictures of the finished product tomorrow.

@Spike, Thanks! I'll get it fixed ASAP.
@Doggie, We've been living in a 900 sqr/ft apartment with boxes to the ceilings waiting for this house to be built. It's nice having a real house, and a basement to finish Should be done with everything by July. Tank of course is the priority...as it should be

 

[h2so4hurts]

Built most of the stand today. It's beefy. Hope to have the tank up and start the plumbing tomorrow!

 

[h2so4hurts]

Did some more tank stuff today.

I decided to use my old 150 acrylic DIY tank as the sump for the new tank but it was too tall so I cut it down to 17" using a freud Diablo plastics blade. It cut the old tank like butter.

Had to stand it up to cut the ends. I used one of my 70 gallon stock tanks as a step stool.

Rinsed out the tank with a hose and started adding plexiglass baffles. The baffles are extruded acrylic and I welded them in with some WO16. Top chamber is for the skimmer/heater, and the chamber after the bubble trap is for a refugium with a 6" sand bed.

Then I went ahead and cut the bulk head holes. There are four 1.5" drains and four 3/4" return lines. The return lines will be split using a 1.5" to 4x 3/4" spa manifold.

Installed the loc-line

Installed the drains and covers

I also needed to install an RO system, but since this is an unfinished basement there wasn't a sink down there yet. I got a "Big tub" from Home Depot and installed that. I justified this purchase with the wife by saying it will be a dog washing station...I haven't hooked up the faucet yet though

I installed the RO/DI system. It's a BRS 6 stage 150GPD unit with the pressurized drinking water reservoir. Unfortunately, my water pressure only came out at 40PSI, so now I have a booster pump on order that should arrive tomorrow.

 

[h2so4hurts]

I got a special delivery late in the day yesterday. The UPS guy just left it in my garage so I didn't see it right away.

Ah, it's big AND beautiful

AND it looks nice in the sump!

I was finally able to get the tank on the stand last night with a little help from my wife.

And it's level!

Shot of the back

Today will be spent doing some plumbing and building the light rack - We're almost ready for fish!!

 

[h2so4hurts]

Got some plumbing done this morning.

 

[Reel North]

Nice. My build is the same size, except 84" long. Looks great!

 

[h2so4hurts]

Finished the upper to hold the light rack from the old tank. I can almost smell the salt...

Tomorrow will be reinforcing the sump with some 90 degree acrylic in the corners and along the bottom and adding the bulk head for the reeflo. I'll also be installing the RO/DI system booster pump so I can start making water!

I ordered the Uhaul for Saturday so hopefully I'll have some sweet pics of some happy fish then!

I think next weekend I'll start framing the fish room walls and maybe hanging some drywall...maybe. My father-in-law is coming in June to help finish the basement and hanging wall board is a whole lot easier with two people!