Eric's 300Gal Build!

E_Aquatics

E_Aquatics

New member
*BEWARE* - This will most likely be a slow build so be patient :rollface:

This past weekend (09/06/14) I took possession of my brand new tank so I thought it was time to get the build thread started.

The tank is 96Lx30Wx25H all glass from Glasscages. (Yes Im aware of their bad reputation, I did a lot of research on them before buying the tank). Im still in the planning stages as far as the equipment I'll be using so nothing is set in stone just yet.

Stand & Canopy: Custom Built by ME!

Tank Overflow: Beananimal Coast to Coast w/ 2inch driains

Lighting: 4x Photon16 or Custom Multichip LEDs, or What do you guys recommend (I will mostly be keeping SPS)

Skimmer: Reef Octopus Regal 250sss, Regal Octopus 300sss or Skimz Monzter SM201

Controller: Full Apex with Lab grade PH probe

Return Pump: Jebao DC12000

Powerheads: 2x Jebao RW15's & 2x Jebao RW20's

Reactors: Geo618 Calcium Reactor with Aquarium Plants electronic regulator

Sump: 60"x25"x18" all glass custom made be ME!

Will post more details as I narrow down my options. In the mean time I'll take any suggestions you guys have.

A couple of pictures of the tank that glasscages sent me while they were building it.

Construction of tank began on 08/08/14


Tank Complete on 08/14/14
 
Tank arrival 09/06/14


We put 3 furniture dollies under the tank and strapped them down to roll the tank out of the trailer onto my trailer


Ready for the ride home :bounce2:
 
We all know that a new tank comes with the perfect excuse to buy new tools. I always wanted a Kreg Jig but didn't have a reason to justify buying one till now :)

 
Nothing to update just yet but I did decide to use the Jebao RW pumps instead of the WP. Just got them in the mail today. 2x RW15's and 2x RW20's

 
Went to lows this morning and got supplies to start building the stand. Some might consider 2x4's overkill but I rather be safe than sorry.



I really should have bought a truck instead of the Maxima lol

 
Don't think 2x4s are overkill; though I see 2x6s in the photo, so perhaps that's what you meant? Regardless, that is a very nice tank and, for what it's worth, I think glass cages 'bad' reputation is likely a function of them selling lots of tanks, so more go amiss than with other makers (same % failure, just more in number).

GC build their tanks in a very similar style to one I bought from World Class Aquarium in about 1990 - so similar, in fact, that I wonder if its actually the same builder. I had mine for 18 years before selling it and I have it on good authority that it's still going.
 
Lumber, and another stealth tool purchase! I also don't think the dimensional lumber is overkill, however I have given up on finding strait enough stock and will be laminating plywood on all future builds.
 
ca1ore said:
Don't think 2x4s are overkill; though I see 2x6s in the photo, so perhaps that's what you meant? Regardless, that is a very nice tank and, for what it's worth, I think glass cages 'bad' reputation is likely a function of them selling lots of tanks, so more go amiss than with other makers (same % failure, just more in number).

GC build their tanks in a very similar style to one I bought from World Class Aquarium in about 1990 - so similar, in fact, that I wonder if its actually the same builder. I had mine for 18 years before selling it and I have it on good authority that it's still going.
Click to expand...

I don't think they are overkill either but some people do. The 2x6s are for the top frame because I will only have one center support in the front of the stand.

Most of the bad reputation out there about GC is about bad customer service and sloppy silicone, I didn't experience neither from them. Yes there have been a few tanks that have cracked and what not but nobody really knows if it was the way the tank was made or a faulty stand.
 
muttley000 said:
Lumber, and another stealth tool purchase! I also don't think the dimensional lumber is overkill, however I have given up on finding strait enough stock and will be laminating plywood on all future builds.
Click to expand...

Yes indeed. I needed a circular saw and what better time to buy one lol. The "Top Choice" 2x4s at Lowes are almost perfect. I had no trouble finding un-cracked/straight pieces.
 
I was able to get the stand started this weekend so here are some pictures of what I got done so far.

I didn't have a workbench so decided to build me one before I even started working on the stand.






Top (2x6's & 2x4's) and bottom (2x4's) frame of the stand.


Working on the legs





Frame completed


Top and bottom plywood installed. 3/4" top & 1/2" bottom




All 4 corners and center of the stand are perfectly leveled.
 
I built this water mixing station a few months ago in anticipation of the big tank so I thought I would share a pictures of it.

Top tank is 125Gal and bottom tank is 30Gal



 
sweet build, tagging along! are you putting anything on the back or between the legs to avoid racking the stand?
 
Sonicboom said:
sweet build, tagging along! are you putting anything on the back or between the legs to avoid racking the stand?
Click to expand...

I thought about covering the back halfway up from the bottom just to prevent any salt creep from getting to the drywall but just for that reason. The stand is rock solid and don't think I will need any more braces. I still have to add face frames and doors. How it sits right now I grabbed one corner and pushed back and forth and it did not move one bit.
 
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