Jerry's 300 Gallon Deep DimensionS RR Tank Build.

[Mustang67]

I would like to ask for some input on a new 300 Gallon tank build. Currently have a 110 flat back with overflow. Plan to move everything over to the 300 once it is set up. Have had numerous saltwater tanks over the past 24 years, after spending several days on this forum, I have realized I am clearly a rookie:hmm3:

Tank will be a reef/ fish mix. Non aggressive

Current configuration:
Marineland 300 Gallon deep dimensions RR tank. 72x36x27
Marine Land Monterey Stand 29" H. (Interior L x W x H: 68.250 32.875 25.50)
Marineland Monterey Canopy
(New Tank, Canopy & Stand $3,650.00 delivered)

1 Chiller or Chiller heater combo. ??
2 Controller Apex Gold. Purchased
3 Doser ??
4 Heater ??
5 Lighting ??
7 Marine Top Off Kit. Avast Marine Purchased
8 Power. Neptune Energy Bar 8 x2 Purchased
9 Calcium Reactor ??
10 Return Pump ??
11 Skimmer ??
12 Sump ??
13 Water Circulation, Tunze 6150 Purchased

I would like to go with a larger sump, perhaps a 100 gallon with a refugium, frag tank & Skimmer. Also plan to have a remote DSB off to the side. All located under the tank. I figure if I go with a larger sump I should have plenty of room to add any additional systems or upgrades.

Tank should arrive within the next 2 weeks so I have plenty of time and I am in no rush. My goal is to have a solid self-efficient setup with minimal maintenance. I don't mind spending the extra now to do it right the first time!

That being said any recommendations for a main pump, skimmer chiller/heater, and LED lights? And any input based on my current configuration?

Plan on posting photos of entire build and specs as I go along.

Thx

Jerry

 

[benihana]

If you are looking for top quality LED then I would suggest looking into the ATI LED/T5 combo units that are out there. Expensive, but that is what I will be going with for my 315 build

 

[Mustang67]

If you are looking for top quality LED then I would suggest looking into the ATI LED/T5 combo units that are out there. Expensive, but that is what I will be going with for my 315 build

Looks like for 2x 36x8 inch units it will cost about $1,650 each. I will read up on them and see if they will work with my Apex controller.

 

[ReefSalt]

My suggestions

1 Chiller or Chiller heater combo. ?? Depends on your conditions if you have a central air and plan on using LEDS not really needed , but better safe than sorry go for a 1hp unit with heater like a Artica .

2 Controller Apex Gold. Purchased
3 Doser ?? I like Kamoer, but if you have an Apex, I saw the new dosers they have and they are really sweet.

4 Heater ?? incorporated with chiller, or multiple 300w+ on a power bar connected to your apex.

5 Lighting ?? Radion G3 Pros , I am using 6 for my 300dd build

7 Marine Top Off Kit. Avast Marine Purchased
8 Power. Neptune Energy Bar 8 x2 Purchased

9 Calcium Reactor ?? good if needed in the future , I have one but its not going to be hooked up unless needed dosing 2 part + amino is good enough

10 Return Pump ?? I am using a ReefFlo Barracuda/Hammerhead gold on a manifold to supply all my equipment.

11 Skimmer ?? get a good one , I have a Reef Octopuss SRO 5000
12 Sump ?? I use a 75gallon sump with divisions

13 Water Circulation, Tunze 6150 Purchased



Thx

Jerry

here are my build steps and photos for reference since its the same as yours.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2464054

 

[Mustang67]

Is there a major difference between the Reef Octopus Regal 250sss & the Super Reef Octopus 5000 Internal Skimmer?

The regal 250 sss model is capable of aquariums up to 600 gallons and 300gal at a heavy bioload. Comes with a DC controllable pump.

The Super Reef Octopus 5000 Internal Skimmer is rated up to a 500 gallon aquarium. The SRO-5000I is a monster skimmer and has amazing performance.

They are both close in price,

 

[Mustang67]

I am definitely going to have to go with a Chiller, due to the heat in my office during the summer time and the fact that the AC has gone down a few times in the past. Now that I think about it I will most likely go with a Chiller and a few 300W heaters and not a combo unit.

In regard to lighting I will read up on the Radion G3 Pros that you are using.

I do have a question on the primary pump, is the ReefFlo Barracuda/Hammerhead gold over kill? Did some research and found a few stating that it's too powerful.

 

[ReefSalt]

Is there a major difference between the Reef Octopus Regal 250sss & the Super Reef Octopus 5000 Internal Skimmer?

The regal 250 sss model is capable of aquariums up to 600 gallons and 300gal at a heavy bioload. Comes with a DC controllable pump.

The Super Reef Octopus 5000 Internal Skimmer is rated up to a 500 gallon aquarium. The SRO-5000I is a monster skimmer and has amazing performance.

They are both close in price,

I never used the Regal series but I have seen them , and if I didn't already have mine that would be my choice since its a more modern style skimmer with controllable pump.

I am definitely going to have to go with a Chiller, due to the heat in my office during the summer time and the fact that the AC has gone down a few times in the past. Now that I think about it I will most likely go with a Chiller and a few 300W heaters and not a combo unit.

In regard to lighting I will read up on the Radion G3 Pros that you are using.

I do have a question on the primary pump, is the ReefFlo Barracuda/Hammerhead gold over kill? Did some research and found a few stating that it's too powerful.

Well in my situation its perfect because I am using the high volume to run all my reactors,uv`s and chiller and a portion for the tank return.

Not overkill in my case and well priced electricity wise.

 

[Mustang67]

I never used the Regal series but I have seen them , and if I didn't already have mine that would be my choice since its a more modern style skimmer with controllable pump.





Well in my situation its perfect because I am using the high volume to run all my reactors,uv`s and chiller and a portion for the tank return.

Not overkill in my case and well priced electricity wise.

Understood and thank you for the feedback.

 

[Mustang67]

New supplies

New supplies

This is going to be a slow build for me due to a limited amount of time that I have to work on the new build.

Here are some pics of my current 110. Its in rough shape at the moment, I plan on giving it some TLC this weekend. The tank is not tilted as it seems in the photo, it was I that was tilted while taking it

 

[worm5406]

The floor looks straight. Tilted .. hahahaha

 

[Mustang67]

The Sump

The Sump

A photo of my 20Gallon sump, it a Marineland commercial BIO Wheel. I have had the tank and filter for I would say 20 years now.

 

[Mustang67]

Some Rock from BRS, bleached, treated and drying. Lots of critters came out during the process.

 

[Mustang67]

I love this piece, its 36.5 Lbs roughly 22x20x 14H. Thank you Andy from BRS

 

[Mustang67]

A few more supplies, a Regal 250 SSS internal skimmer, this thing is a beast. Apex Gold system, Radion G3 LED to try out and a Tunze 6105 pump and I think I am going to need a few more of these before I am ready to start up

 

[Mustang67]

Some pics of the tenants.

 

[worm5406]

I like the rock. I am looking to get some larger pieces for my new 265.

How did you specify you wanted the larger ones?

 

[Mustang67]

Call them first to tell them what you are looking for, you will need to order a good 40 to 50 lbs of the type you need to ensure you get a large piece. I ordered 50 lbs of BRS Tonga Jumbo 30+” Shelf Dry Live Rock. I received the 35LB piece and some smaller ones that I can use for additional scaping.

 

[Mustang67]

Bleached Dry rock and ready to go in 24 Hrs?

Bleached Dry rock and ready to go in 24 Hrs?

So I decided to bleach and clean the dry rock I just purchased, to be sure I am critter free. I am amazed with the results but yet still a bit skeptical
Here is what I did:
44 Gallon Rubbermaid garbage pail.
Filled with hot tap water
Added 1 gallon of concentrated bleach.
Added dry rock with power head and soaked for 8 hours.

Emptied water, then sprayed off the rock while in the garbage pail.
Filled up the garbage pail with water, ran power head and soaked for 20 minutes. I did this twice.

Then drained the garbage pail and filled it back up with tap water and the dry rock. I poured in 16Oz of water conditioner (as seen in photo) to remove the chlorine. The rock soaked with the power head running for 1 hr. The water cleared up to near perfect.

Completed final drain, placed the dry rock on a pallet to dry overnight. Later the next day I took some fresh RO water, tested for chlorine first. Clear no chlorine. Then I placed some of the treated dry rock in a small bucket with the RO water, swished it around and let it soak for an hr. and tested. No Chlorine!! I am a bit surprised. How can I check for nitrates before put this rock in my DT? And should I do any other testing or take any other precautions??

 

[Mustang67]

Have a question.
Bought a bunch of dry rock, bleached it, rinsed as stated in above posts and so forth.

Today I decided to give several pieces an Acid bath. I loaded up the dry rock in a 30 gallon rubber maid tub, filled with warm water and poured in 1 gallon of acid. Waited until the acid neutralized ( about 1hr 20 min) emptied the wash, rinsed the rock. Lastly filled the bucket back up with warm water and poured in a cup of baking soda and let it sit for 30 min with a power head running.

After the final rinse I noticed that 3 out of 8 pieces had some kind of slime on the underside of the rock, the Tonga Rock. Actually there was a slight green tint to it.

Does any one know what it is? How could it survive the acid bath???

 

[Mustang67]

It was this piece circled in blue, as you can see in both photos there is no sign of algae or any green tint. Could the acid have caused this?
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