AriMiko's 300DD Upgrade

[AriMiko43]

Hello everyone, I would like to share with you all my 300 gallon upgrade build. I recently had a Oceanic 156 gallon tank which measured 60"w x 24"d x 25"h. I broke the tank down about 2 weeks ago and moved all livestock into 2 holding tanks that have been set up for a while, a 80 gallon frag tank and a 65 gallon RR which are both plumbed on the same sump.

This past weekend I worked on the stand and got a decent amount done with the help of a coworker. We worked day and night to get where I am at now. I built the stand out of a 2x4 bottom and a 2x6 top which measures 74"w x 38". We then supported each corner with two 2x6's which are backed by 2x4's. I then added a 2x6 offset from the center of the stand which is also backed by a 2x4 since I want 2 big doors on the left and 1 on the right. I wrapped the whole stand in 3/4" maple and I'm going to finish it with a high gloss black finish with numerous coats of polyurethane. The stand measures 36" high since it will have all equipment in the stand. I wanted it high for skimmer clearance and ease to work inside.

I will document all my work that is done from this day forward. I would appreciate any advice and compliments given. Ok so, on to the build....

Equipment

Tank - Marineland 300DD 3 sided starphire w/corner overflows
Stand - Custom black maple 74" x 38" x 36"
Lighting - DIY led fixture 60 RB & 36 CW with 2 48" t5's and 2 60" t5's
Sump - 80 gallon frag tank
Vertex 7" filter sock holder
Skimmer - SWC 230
Refugium - 29 gallon high
Pump - Reeflo dart
Apex controller
MTC Pro Cal reactor
2 TLF 550 reactors [Carbon & Gfo]
Two vortech mp40's
Two Jabeo Wp-60's
Two Jabeo Wp-40's

Environment

Mixed reef
300 lbs Tropic Eden Reefflakes
150-200 lbs of Marco,Pukani,Shelf & Branch rock [Going for a open look]

 

[dave.m]

Looks like you're well on the way to a great tank. When you say you are going to finish the stand in black I hope you just mean the exterior. If you don't do the interior in white you will be kicking yourself later. You really need the reflectivity of the white to see what you are doing inside the stand.

You have not mentioned what you are going to do for ventilation. With your tank so tightly confined you may find yourself with mold problems both under and around the tank from the high humidity.

Dave.M

 

[glaukos]

Great job on the stand arimiko:thumbsup:

 

[DrHarryLopez]

Great spot!

 

[ridetheducati]

How will you service the overflows?

 

[AriMiko43]

Looks like you're well on the way to a great tank. When you say you are going to finish the stand in black I hope you just mean the exterior. If you don't do the interior in white you will be kicking yourself later. You really need the reflectivity of the white to see what you are doing inside the stand.

You have not mentioned what you are going to do for ventilation. With your tank so tightly confined you may find yourself with mold problems both under and around the tank from the high humidity.

Dave.M

Thank you Dave, I am painting the inside of the stand with white Kilz2 Latex paint. I removed all panels around the stand and painted the whole frame and bottom platform so far. I even raised up the bottom platform and painted underneath.

As far as ventilation, I do run a dehumidifier in the summer. I am also planning on adding a fan cut in the the left side panel to blow air into the stand and a fan on the right panel to blow air out of the stand. I also did not cover the back of the stand, I'm leaving it open. Do you have any other advice?

Great job on the stand arimiko:thumbsup:

Thank you Glaukos

Great spot!

Thanks Doc!!!

How will you service the overflows?

I will have to service the over the top of the tank if I have to. I plan on making 2 acrylic overflow covers to block any light out and prevent algae from growing in the overflows. My last tank ran for 2 1/2 years without me having to do anything in the overflows.

 

[dave.m]

My concern was that you have the tank in an alcove with possibly little to no air circulation. I don't know if you will need a fan blowing into the cabinet (depends on your local climate) but a single vent fan with two ducts, one above the tank and one below from the sump and out of the house would be good.

Dave.M

 

[AriMiko43]

My concern was that you have the tank in an alcove with possibly little to no air circulation. I don't know if you will need a fan blowing into the cabinet (depends on your local climate) but a single vent fan with two ducts, one above the tank and one below from the sump and out of the house would be good.

Dave.M

Would the fan have to be run consistently? I could tee two 4" dryer vents to the outside with a single wall cap. I guess I would have to look for a in-line fan that can be mounted midway of the vent.

 

[dave.m]

Again, that would depend somewhat on your local climate, but you could run the fan off a humidistat placed in the alcove so that it only runs when necessary and is only keyed in on the alcove's requirements.

Dave.M

 

[AriMiko43]

Thank you for your advice Dave. I will definitely look into that and set something up. I appreciate your help.

 

[AriMiko43]

Here is a preview of my aquascaping. I gave these rocks a muriatic acid bath last year and had them soaking in ro/di for months. I also used marco mortar mix to bond them together in sections, so I will know how to put them in the tank once set up. The left side is about 5 sections, the middle is all 1 section and the right is 4 sections. The tallest height of the rocks are about 16-17" so it will give me plenty of open space up top. I am also going to set all rock on egg crate cut out to match the rocks. The reason I am doing that is so the rock will sit above the sandbed and not on the glass bottom.

 

[lakeviewink]

I love the aquascaping so far. It looks very interesting. Also, very nice stand and sump area

 

[ridetheducati]

Nice aquascaping and asymmetrical. Do not underestimate the width of the tank. Chances are you will not be able to reach inside the overflows or the back row of the rock work. Murphys law. Unless you are very tall or dont mind your ears getting wet.

How tall is the back row rock work?

 

[crvz]

really cool spot for the tank, but I agree with the other comments; maintenance may be a bear. I've got that same tank, but it's in a dedicated fish room and I can walk around the perimeter of the stand to get to any area as needed. Good luck with this build, it looks great so far.

 

[AriMiko43]

I understand it will be a pita to get in there and work. Everything will have to be done on a ladder and over the front of the tank. This is the only spot on ground level where I can put the tank. I really wanted the 300DD and will do what I have to when the time comes. If it involves putting on a snorkel then so be it lol.

Maybe I will make the lights on a removable clip so I can remove them if I need more height to get over the tank. I have the tank bumped about 8 " off the back wall and I only have 7" on the right and left. I can at least reach back halfway with a glass cleaning magnet and do the rest with a 36" handle scraper. The rock work in the back peaks up at 17" plus a 3" sand bed so I'm looking at a total of 20". I am going to add ventilation fans to the outside on a humidity controller like polywise (Jim) did.

 

[dave.m]

I am going to add ventilation fans to the outside on a humidity controller like polywise (Jim) did.

:thumbsup:

It's not just scraping the algae off the glass that concerns some people about your limited access. At some point you're going to want to vacuum the sandbed, including along the back. You are also going to want to pull the standpipes out of the overflows (that's why you never glue them in) and vacuum out the overflows. With no rear access to your tank you are really going to need some way of moving your lights out of the way, either upwards or aside. Make sure not to crowd the back of the tank with rockwork so you have easier access back there.

As well, sooner or later something is going to fall down the back and you will want to be able to reach it in and pull it out. You can get 36" and 48" grabbers for that. Plan on getting a couple.

Dave.M

 

[ridetheducati]

The rock work in the back peaks up at 17" plus a 3" sand bed so I'm looking at a total of 20".

The rock work will sit on the bottom of the tank, so you cannot add the depth of the sand.

I am a short guy, 5'-6" and do all my work from a six foot ladder.

Note: The back center tabling coral is approximately 26" from the front of the tank and 20" up from the bottom. From my ladder, I cannot reach the base of the coral. Some how a snail was stuck on the top of the coral and I needed to use long forceps to remove the snail. Excuse the poor cell phone pic without white balance.

 

[AriMiko43]

I am putting egg crate under the rocks to raise them up so they don't sit on the bottom glass. Most of my bottom pieces are flat cut Marco rocks. I plan on raising them up about 2-3" then adding the sand around them.

 

[AriMiko43]

Painted the frame with 2 coats of kilz2 latex and then painted 2 coats of white high gloss.

 

[ChrisKirkland]

I have a 300DD, I wouldn't put a lot of rock on egg crate. I would put it on the bottom. Nothing worse than have to chance the rockwork collapsing because the egg create gave way.

27" deep is way more than most think. I love the tank but wish I was taller with longer arms so I don't have to dive in to service it