Marineland DD Super Systems

[AZMark]

I had reef tanks in the late 60's but haven't had anything other than goldfish since. So I think it's safe to say I am a newbie again. Joined today but have been reading these posts for almost a year. Glad to be joining in for once. Just paid my youngest son's final semester of college and wife has given me the go ahead to get started with this.

I have been looking into the Marineland DD for quite awhile. Specifically the 300 gallon. Is it wise to choose such a large tank right away? I just don't want to start something small and then want an upgrade 6 months later. Seems to be smarter financially to just go big now.

I found a package deal on the tank I have been wanting through drsfostersmith.com. If links are allowed.... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23829

It comes with the following:
72" x 36" x 27" high Aquarium with Corner-Flo Filtration, 72" x 36" Glass Canopy, Monterey Stand, Monterey Canopy, (4)-36-48" Double Bright LED Double Bright LED Lighting System, (2)-250 watt Visi-Therm Heaters, Stick-on Digital Thermometer, (2)-Maxi-Jet 5500 Pumps, Model 4 Acrylic Sump Filtration System, Plumbing Accessory Kit, and Instructional DVD.

There is a light upgrade available as well.... Complete 300 Gallon Standard upgraded with (4)-36-48" Reef Capable LED Lighting System.

The price for the package is $5,499 or $5,999. Includes free shipping and their white glove service of unpacking. I am looking for a good deal but more importantly I want to do this right. The tank and stand without any accessories is $3,999. Could I do better by purchasing everything separately? What other equipment will I need? I am in AZ so probably a chiller. And obviously sand, rock and livestock.

Thanks for the advice.

Mark

 

[jcw]

I don't think the reef capable leds are all that reef capable.

Love the tank dimensions, though.

I would say if you are going to do it and have the money, that's a great size. I dislike the lack of depth of my 125g. Big foot print, though.

You'll still need a skimmer.

And i'm wondering outloud if the sump is something of an afterthought or really useful.

 

[AZMark]

I don't think the reef capable leds are all that reef capable.

Love the tank dimensions, though.

I would say if you are going to do it and have the money, that's a great size. I dislike the lack of depth of my 125g. Big foot print, though.

You'll still need a skimmer.

And i'm wondering outloud if the sump is something of an afterthought or really useful.

My focus is on fish. The wife likes LPS and mushrooms. I don't see us taking on SPS anytime soon so I think the lights will be fine.

The sump is 38.6 gallons. I agree, it doesn't seem big enough to be useful.

 

[hatfielj]

Yes, even though this will be your first modern reef tank, its a good idea to start big. The more water volume you have the easier it is to keep your parameters stable. Also, you may think you want only fish, but most beginners say that and end up changing their mind quickly and wanting corals. Its better to plan for future upgrades now and get decent lighting and filtration now. Otherwise you'll just be junking the weak lights and getting better ones a few months down the road. (Just my 2 cents of course)

Regardless, WELCOME!

 

[pgaudreau]

Marineland 300dd

Marineland 300dd

The tank size is great, their standard stand for that tank in my view is horrible as it is extremely low. The marineland lights work but are nothing spectacular if you intend to do a reef. There is a brand new set up on craigslist by an owner still in the box with chiller, sump, pumps, for 3750.00 Unfortunately he is in florida but that is a deal for that whole set up and includes a 1hp chiller. If ever you feel its worth your trip I can go look at it for you, I may even know a boat hauler who may be willing to put it all in the back of his dually when he goes to Arizona. His name is Kyle 405 640 9456. I know everyone these days is trying to save whereever they can.


http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/for/2801935241.html

 

[fpv930]

The system seems great. I am more of a DYI guy myself. I had a 72g leak and now I will be hoping to build a 180-200g system in my office. I would also check out Genesis reef water changing and auto top off system. Completing water changes to a 300g system would be a daunting task. If it was automated it would make life much easier. Keep posting so we can follow your progress.

 

[kilroy217]

From my experience, all of the stuff in that package is junk except for the tank. Even if it costs you a little bit more money, you should definitely buy each item individually and pick the most appropriate model for your intended use. It will take doing some homework to figure out which units you will want to buy, but you have a great resource here on reefcentral.com to get help with that.

 

[jt48]

IMHO the marineland dd tanks are the best mass production tanks available and, are available to most across the USA. The 300 is a wise choice and although I am a customer of foster smith, the package is overprized junk. Go to your lfs and order from their. I was about to get the 300 DD until I discovered DAS tanks which can be bought in ANY custom size without custom prices. And, the stands are galvanized steel skinned in wood. Which brings me back to the DD stands. The interior height is only 26 inches and the use of any stand other than their own voids the tank warranty.
Good luck

 

[AZMark]

IMHO the marineland dd tanks are the best mass production tanks available and, are available to most across the USA. The 300 is a wise choice and although I am a customer of foster smith, the package is overprized junk. Go to your lfs and order from their. I was about to get the 300 DD until I discovered DAS tanks which can be bought in ANY custom size without custom prices. And, the stands are galvanized steel skinned in wood. Which brings me back to the DD stands. The interior height is only 26 inches and the use of any stand other than their own voids the tank warranty.
Good luck

Do you have a website for DAS? A google search didn't bring up much. I would prefer to do something custom as a 96x30x27 would look better in the room it's going in. I have also heard the DD stands are trash but have read the nightmares of the DD tanks failing after using custom stand.

 

[jt48]

Tropiquarium in ocean nj is an authorized dealer of DAS (Dutch Aquarium Systems). Tropiquarium sells tanks at cost. I went there to get the DD but learned about DAS.
http://www.petstorefixtures.com/

 

[CRAZYFIZH]

I have a 300dd i paid 2100.for the tank with a cl system and bigger drains and different overflows and i built my own stand for $98.00 all out of 2x6 one problem the marineland has with there stands is the height imo just one more option

 

[hobbzz]

I wouldn't get the "reef capable" leds either. They're overpriced and not actually reef capable. You'd be better off with a T5 unit, especially if you're using a canopy because you can get a retrofit kit and save some more money. Reefgeek.com is a great place for lighting.

I've also heard the stands are junk. And that package is way overpriced. I recently saw a thread of prices of these tanks from different lfs and it ranged from 1200-2200 for the tank.

That sump would be a no-go, especially with the bio-wheel. Wet-drys/bio-wheels aren't really used anymore. Get a used 75 gallon or larger off craigslist and put in some baffles for a sump. That's a fun diy project. Look here for ideas http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html Get a good skimmer. Your skimmer and rock will be the main filtration. I'd recommend something from Reef Octopus. A couple used tunzes for flow (they're abundant in the used section), and a Mag or Eheim for a return. That would be a much better system than that package and would at the most be the same price, but likely much cheaper.

 

[austin93]

I think im going to be in the minority here, but a 300g tank is a huge undertaking for a new guy. I assume you have researched this, but salt alone will cost a fortune every month. Why not start with a 180 and upgrade when you are ready. I do know you dont want to upgrade again, but its also a lot easier to learn on that scale and its still a pretty big tank with a much more reasonable investment to keep running. Its the day to day stuff that kills your pocketbook.

 

[cubsare1]

I was going to buy the tank and stand from them and have them deliver and set it up like it says they do. I called to double check and they do not deliver and they do not set it up. And I only live 3 hours away from them. Better double check first

 

[Alex T.]

I think im going to be in the minority here, but a 300g tank is a huge undertaking for a new guy. I assume you have researched this, but salt alone will cost a fortune every month. Why not start with a 180 and upgrade when you are ready. I do know you dont want to upgrade again, but its also a lot easier to learn on that scale and its still a pretty big tank with a much more reasonable investment to keep running. Its the day to day stuff that kills your pocketbook.

I would have to agree with this. Most of us start too small and really want the added space for our corals and growing fish after a while. I was in the position to have any tank I wanted for my current upgrade in progress (6-10 feet) but I felt that getting a medium sized tank that was custom built would make the tank more enjoyable, easier to perform maintenance and cheaper to operate while keeping a few choice selections instead of trying to fill in a larger space.

While many say that a large system is easier to keep stable, most of us tend to overstock...especially our first go around. I would take my time and read through more build threads in the Large Reef Tank Forums before jumping into a 300 gallon tank. The only people that really think this isn't really a large tank are on this site, and specifically on this forum. This is an extremely large volume of water, and I never understood why people say that it's easier to maintain a larger system. Most people with large tanks spend a good amount of time fiddling with equipment and maintenance. It's one thing to do a water change and scrape the glass on a 6 foot 125 gallon tank, but definitely more work to reach 36 inches front to back and scrape the algae off the back glass 27 inches deep behind your rockwork. A good skimmer on a tank of this size will cost you a good penny as well. You can't skimp there. If yoiu're up to the challenge and have your heart set on it then go for it, but be prepared for a new bucket of salt every month (minimum $45) and that's before you've fed the fish and paid the electric to operate it.

Just know what you're in for. IMHO it's definitely not easier. As long as you stock appropriately any volume of water is manageable, not just bigger being better all the time.

 

[alton]

I agree with some, go buy a used setup locally and try it for a year and see if you like it. I have seen so many spend thousands just to sell it for half price in a year. A good starter tank would be a 120g 4' x 2' x 2' when buying equipment, buy stuff that can be used on the 300.

 

[biecacka]

i think it is easier to start larger within reason and go from there. that being said i would look at other option to buy the tank, that seems pricy for that
corey

 

[frogspawn74]

Money is relative too what one makes. A 300 gallon tank is beautiful to say the least. I just got a 300 dd a few weeks ago. AWESOME!!!.
We all know the story... Start with a 75... Upgrade... Upgrade...upgrade.

After 12 years in the hobby I think if your starting from scratch, have the budget, Do it RIGHT the first time. I've wasted thousands starting small then upgrading.

Nothing against fosters setup but I would talk with a lfs first. Many times the whole package from a place like that is only more profit for the seller. ( some items are sub standard)

What ever you do, do it right.

Good luck with what ever you choose. Welcome back, a lot has changed for the better

 

[trigs]

great looking tank

 

[BfishLpond78]

My two cents on this one. I do agree that bigger is sometimes better and I am obviously new to the reef world and have a small tank, have been eyeing a 120 (4x2x2). But like others have said jumping into the 300+ gallon system may be a bit much.

I don't doubt your research, but being out of this hobby for awhile, you may want to spend a good amount of time looking at different brands...figuring out if you want just fish cause just like everyone else who said it...and me I am now into corals...its the pretty colors I tell you.

Last little bit, I would definately buy from a LFS...if they are anything like mine, they will work with you and help you make a good decision. One of the owners actually makes house calls for free to help people when they have problems, I dont see foster and smith coming to your house at 10PM when you have a leaky pump or anything of that nature. It will give you a chance to have people behind you that are local that can help.

But again that is just me...good luck and can't wait to see what you choose!