Mike's 300 Double-D

[boxers18]

as usual the tank look beautiful!! Alway a pleasure to see the current progression of the tank!

 

[drummereef]

Wow, great pics once again. The HD video is outstanding. Amazing seeing such a unique variety of fish all in one tank - in a video. Truly inspirational. :thumbsup:

 

[steevareno2002]

Beautiful tank!

 

[prop-frags]

quick question again on the 6095's.....
what thickness is your glass and are you using the standard magnets on these or the extensions for stronger grip.

Trying to figure if these will work on my 3/4" acrylic....

Thanks

Ohh and the fish pics are amazing!! So hard to get clear shots of the fast moving suckers!!!

The glass is the standard 1/2" on the side panels for the stock 300DD. Yes, we are using the standard magnets that come with the smaller stream pumps. I think Tunze supplies the bigger magnets with a couple of the jumbo streams, but you can also order them separately.

Terry, those pics are awesome. Your getting crazy good with that camera.

Terry says "Thanks Brett"!

Thanks for the pics. They look incredible. I love the Angel fish, any problems with him and your corals?

Thanks dotcommer. The angels are no problem for the corals. The bellus don't even look at corals (as you probably know). The flame and the regal are both "pluckers" but don't do any real harm to the SPS. The regal does take a real liking to some LPS though (certain acans and zoos we can't keep in the display or she'll have a munch-fest). It's still a bit of a mystery which ones she like vs not - it amounts to trial and error.

as usual the tank look beautiful!! Alway a pleasure to see the current progression of the tank!

Thank you boxers.

Wow, great pics once again. The HD video is outstanding. Amazing seeing such a unique variety of fish all in one tank - in a video. Truly inspirational. :thumbsup:

Appreciate the kind words, Brett. The fish really are a joy to watch, and there's more of an attraction it seems with some of these harder-to-keep species. We really have to put some effort in the QT and acclimation and so it makes it more enjoyable to have them happy in the DT (if that makes sense)!

Beautiful tank!

Thanks Steve, and we appreciate you stopping in to say hi!


_ _ + + _ _ + + _ _ + + _ _ + + _ _ + + _ _

OK, a little bit of an update.
This past weekend, we did some work in the sump room. The walls around the 150g vat are getting beat up badly by salt creep. We try to keep them wiped down, but even with several coats of primer and 5 coats of bathroom paint, the salt just tears into them. Here's a look at current state:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8072693737/" title="sump room wall needs work by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8072693737_5dce7b88bb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="sump room wall needs work"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8072688024/" title="sump room wall detail by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8310/8072688024_6d570698b1_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="sump room wall detail"></a>

So to hopefully create a more lasting solution, we wiped the walls down real well, let them dry out, and then hung one of these thick vinyl shower curtains up. Should provide a much more salt- and moisture- resistant wall covering and cut down on the "erosion":

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8072694413/" title="sump room wall fixed by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8455/8072694413_a36165cd9c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="sump room wall fixed"></a>

 

[digitalchrisg]

You can get some PVC sheets, sort of pvc plywood at home depot for around $20 for a 4x8 sheet. That you could glue up to the wall. It may be a bit more durable than the shower curtain. That's what I use.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

You can ask for FRP board at the HD also. It comes in white and that should solve your problem also.

 

[reeksreef]

Finally finished reading the entire thread, and this is a great build. I love the OM4 concept because I hate the look of power heads in the tank. The300DD is my dream tank and was about to bite the bullet and get one until I measured the entrance door and it's 34". Will have to remove the trim just to get it in the door.

 

[polywise]

reeksreef, turn it on its side - it'll fit

 

[webersole]

I agree with reeksreef on the OM4 concept. I, too, don't like to see power heads, cords, pipe in a tank. I'm planning on using one for my 250 build and will try to make the returns as inconspicuous as possible.

 

[reeksreef]

reeksreef, turn it on its side - it'll fit

Lol, I feel like an idiot. I knew it was something that I was forgetting about the size. Forgot its only 27" high and will fit without a problem. Thanks.

 

[prop-frags]

You can get some PVC sheets, sort of pvc plywood at home depot for around $20 for a 4x8 sheet. That you could glue up to the wall. It may be a bit more durable than the shower curtain. That's what I use.

You can ask for FRP board at the HD also. It comes in white and that should solve your problem also.

Thanks guys! The heavy duty vinyl curtain is working for now, but we'll definitely take a look at those products.

Finally finished reading the entire thread, and this is a great build. I love the OM4 concept because I hate the look of power heads in the tank. The300DD is my dream tank and was about to bite the bullet and get one until I measured the entrance door and it's 34". Will have to remove the trim just to get it in the door.

Thank you for the compliment and for taking the time to post here in our thread! We are very pleased with our closed loop and could not imagine setting up a tank without one. You are going to LOVE the dimensions on the 300dd!

I agree with reeksreef on the OM4 concept. I, too, don't like to see power heads, cords, pipe in a tank. I'm planning on using one for my 250 build and will try to make the returns as inconspicuous as possible.

We spent a lot of time integrating our closed loop outlets into our aquascape design to make them as inconspicuous as possible, but still allow access for adjustments and/or maintenance.

reeksreef, turn it on its side - it'll fit

Lol, I feel like an idiot. I knew it was something that I was forgetting about the size. Forgot its only 27" high and will fit without a problem. Thanks.

We had to turn ours on it's side as well to get it thru the front door.

 

[SkyHawk]

How do you like the extra 3" of height from the 180? Is it worth the extra trouble you must have when it comes to tank maintenance?

 

[SkyHawk]

PS. I really enjoyed reading through your thread. Thanks for sharing.

 

[prop-frags]

How do you like the extra 3" of height from the 180? Is it worth the extra trouble you must have when it comes to tank maintenance?

PS. I really enjoyed reading through your thread. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you! The dimensions are 72"Lx36"Dx27"H

 

[prop-frags]

Thought we'd share a few pics...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8115349302/" title="DSC_9445 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8186/8115349302_ed8ec81808_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="DSC_9445"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8115341677/" title="DSC_0145 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8115341677_fe0f824edb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="DSC_0145"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8115341949/" title="DSC_0163 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8189/8115341949_66f8184b88_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="DSC_0163"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8115349754/" title="DSC_0035 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8192/8115349754_5760cb5429_b.jpg" width="950" height="1024" alt="DSC_0035"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8115349526/" title="DSC_9441 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8115349526_835f5d196a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="DSC_9441"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8115348434/" title="DSC_9947 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8115348434_d2dc7bf096_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="DSC_9947"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8115340393/" title="DSC_9554 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8463/8115340393_a148f42d6b_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="DSC_9554"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8115348922/" title="DSC_9632 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/8115348922_f1a3a9695c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="DSC_9632"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/8096051864/" title="nt 2830 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8096051864_8c1a2e4a38_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="nt 2830"></a>

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Tank looking better and better. Seems like its about time you start fragging or are the pictures deceiving me?

 

[davidadelp]

Amazing tank. I seen where you got your tank from fish world, do you buy all your livestock from Joe? I love his store top quality coral and fish. Hes not cheap but has the best of stuff. I love going to just look at his displays. I plan to make a 5 hour trip to see him once my tank is up and going.

 

[davidfrances]

Following. I'm building two (2) Marineland DD 250's

 

[prop-frags]

Tank looking better and better. Seems like its about time you start fragging or are the pictures deceiving me?

Thanks. In some areas, yes, you are right, we are having to do some pruning. It is a good problem to have.

Amazing tank. I seen where you got your tank from fish world, do you buy all your livestock from Joe? I love his store top quality coral and fish. Hes not cheap but has the best of stuff. I love going to just look at his displays. I plan to make a 5 hour trip to see him once my tank is up and going.

Thanks for the compliment. Joe has a nice store. We still have pieces that we acquired from Joe years ago. We like to spread our business around - most of our recent purchases have come from other places. We really like LA/Divers Den, and PIA. Those are two very top notch shops.

Following. I'm building two (2) Marineland DD 250's

Good to have you along, David. Please share some of your ideas - do you have a build thread going?

:fish1: :fish2:

Speaking of following along, here's an ugly update for you all.
:facepalm:
The other morning around 6am, we checked the display and saw low water level and very cloudy water. That could only mean serious trouble. Running out to the sump room, we discovered the return pump had run dry and the 150g vat was empty. Fighting the urge to panic and completely freak out, we check the other vitals - pH was pushing 12-point-something in the shallow sump, and SG was down to around 1.015. It looked like something leaked somewhere, all the water was missing from the big vat, and the ATO was dumping kalkwasser into the shallow sump.

This was a full-on reef emergency. First, we needed to find the source of the leak, and then get a massive water change going to get all that kalk-heavy R/O water out of the system. The return pump had run dry for who-knows-how long; same with the chiller pump.Good thing the top-off couldn't keep up with leak, or it would have been a tank crash for sure. The salt-mix make up vat was full luckily - so we had 100g of fresh salt mix ready to add back in. The shallow sump was full of 1.015 kalkwasser, so it had to be jettisoned. First, find the source of the leak. Turns out, the drain line on the skimmer had been left open and something triggered a skimmer flood over night (spawning?). The skimmer had started flooding and all that water was being pumped overboard onto the garage floor. We figured we must have dumped about 70 gallons out.

Once the source of the leak was fixed, we added the 100g of fresh salt mix back to the vat, turned some knobs on the drain lines to bypass the shallow sump, and started the main return pump - our trusty Iwaki started right up and began circulating between the vat and the display. Next up, we drained the shallow sump, cleaned it out (it was covered in kalkwasser), and cleaned up the Reef Octopus while we made up some more fresh salt water (we had about another 60 gallons of R/O remaining in the top-off vat). By about 10am, we had the system back online, and a 100g water change done. The fish all seemed unscathed by the pickling bath they endured, but what about the corals? We had some very unhappy tenants for a few days. A couple of colonies started some fairly aggressive STN, but were salvageable.

By about 1pm, we had refilled the shallow sump with fresh salt mix, and gotten that back online. Crisis averted. It would be a few more days before we knew we were out of the woods, but considering what a close call we had, the system is doing well.

Focusing on the causes of this near-disaster helped us to identify some gaps in our system design. Firstly, the ATO needed to have some connection to the APEX to allow us to shut it off for unusual pH conditions. Secondly, we needed audible alarms for wet floor in the sump room. Thirdly, we need to remove the skimmate drain line from the skimmer to prevent the possibility of unlimited water loss via skimmer flood conditions. We also need audible alarms for low-water and high-water conditions in the sump/vat. Several of these changes have already been put in place. The remainders are on our to-do list over the holidays.

Did we mention how much we love this hobby? :wildone:

 

[gtaylor67]

Glad everything is looking good, more knowledge for everyone else to pick up for there systems. Keep us informed...