Doug's 300DD Starphire Reef Build

Sorry for the late reply back here. I have been out of pocket for awhile with surgery and still recovering. After attaching the trim which was lifted about 1/8" I placed a 1/8" ply for finish staining. It was easily done.

Makes sense. Hope you're feeling better..
 
I just had abdominal surgery ten days ago so I know what your talking about. I had to write a paper while upped on pain meds (that was interesting) and I've actually got to where I'm able to walk around normal instead of all hunched over. Hope you heal fast and snap some photos :-)

Respectfully,
Kevin
 
I just had abdominal surgery ten days ago so I know what your talking about. I had to write a paper while upped on pain meds (that was interesting) and I've actually got to where I'm able to walk around normal instead of all hunched over. Hope you heal fast and snap some photos :-)
Respectfully,
Kevin

Mine was neck surgery. 4 fusions and 2 disk replacements.So it takes a little time to get back to routine and off the pain pills and muscle relaxers. And so it has been hard bending around to work on the tanks. Thank you to my wife in helping out.


I know, just giving you crap

Forget pics, can't wait to come see it

Lynn, I know you like giving me a hard time. You are welcome to come by anytime. I do have some sps to donate to the club..
 
Getting back into the swing of things. Back to work on the tank!!!

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After much thought I decided to switch from the Icecap electronic ballast to the Galaxy HQI ballast. I believe they will be a better fit for the radium bulbs. The icecaps looked nice. The radiums look a bit more crisp white. I notice that the bulbs are not as blue when run on icecaps. Mounted on shelf in equipment closet getting the ballast in a more permanent location has helped too.
 
I had to stop by and check out a fellow 300dd build. Everything is looking great. I've decided to run my radiums on hqi ballasts as well. Which reflectors did you go with? Hope all is going well with your recovery.
 
I had to stop by and check out a fellow 300dd build. Everything is looking great. I've decided to run my radiums on hqi ballasts as well. Which reflectors did you go with? Hope all is going well with your recovery.

Thanks for visiting our thread. Nice to hear a fellow DD homing in here. I am running Lumen Max Elites with the radiums. You like your ballast, how long have your been running them and do you run on the HQI? I know if run on HQI will shorten bulb life. If awhile how often are you changing out bulbs?
Recovery is very slow.
 
I have had the new Geo Calcium reactor set up for a few weeks, just forgot with everything going to post pictures. Just about have it dialed in.

GeoCalciumReactor.jpg
 
Thanks for visiting our thread. Nice to hear a fellow DD homing in here. I am running Lumen Max Elites with the radiums. You like your ballast, how long have your been running them and do you run on the HQI? I know if run on HQI will shorten bulb life. If awhile how often are you changing out bulbs?
Recovery is very slow.

To be honest.....the tank's not up yet. Lol. Still have a few weeks to go. I'll let you know what I think when I get them up and running
 
And now some pics from Marineland during the tank build phase.

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Final leak test. Hooray it passed
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Ready to ship
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You just showed me the custom marineland tank I want (and then some)... except for I wanted a center overflow box...If you don't mind me asking how did you manage this and how much is a customer marineland dd cost? 3 sides starphire with center overflow, glass rim, etc
 
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Doug,
I got excited on the first page and had to message after seeing the tank picture; not realizing I am few years to late. I love the DD tanks but would never buy them with the 2 cornerflo... I enjoy looking at my tank from the sides and seeing hugh overflow boxes is something I am learning to hate on my current tank (they take up way to much square footage for a simple 1.5'' drain. I think it's great how you got your tank custom made. I wish larger companies like aqueon and perfecto would start producing starphire aquariums like marineland in standard sizes.
Did you have your LFS order the tank for you or did you deal with marineland directly? How much would you say a custom tank of your size/design would cost going with another company vs marinland?
 
Doug,
I got excited on the first page and had to message after seeing the tank picture; not realizing I am few years to late. I love the DD tanks but would never buy them with the 2 cornerflo... I enjoy looking at my tank from the sides and seeing hugh overflow boxes is something I am learning to hate on my current tank (they take up way to much square footage for a simple 1.5'' drain. I think it's great how you got your tank custom made. I wish larger companies like aqueon and perfecto would start producing starphire aquariums like marineland in standard sizes.
Did you have your LFS order the tank for you or did you deal with marineland directly? How much would you say a custom tank of your size/design would cost going with another company vs marinland?

Thanks for you interest. I just love my tank. It is still working out very well and love the design as custom build. We went through LFS but did correspond with Marinland directly. They were a little cheaper than other companies but I really don't know for sure by how much to be honest. Good luck on your hunt
 
You just showed me the custom marineland tank I want (and then some)... except for I wanted a center overflow box...

From what I was told a few months ago...Marineland wil no longer take custom orders on DD tanks. I wanted them to drill larger (1 1/2") drains in the overflows, IMO, two 1" drains is not enough.
 
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