Mike's 300 Double-D

[ptreef]

Thanks for the elaborate explanation. Pictures and colors look excellent! Do you know what T-5's would be close to the VHO 454's?

Also when are you changing bulbs out? 9mos? 1yr?

Have you ever measured PAR?

 

[agcneves]

Your reef is wonderful. A true inspiration and have read your post a while ago. I decided to write and show my admiration.
The quality of your photos are professionals.
Cheers!!

 

[prop-frags]

Thanks for the elaborate explanation. Pictures and colors look excellent! Do you know what T-5's would be close to the VHO 454's?

Also when are you changing bulbs out? 9mos? 1yr?

Have you ever measured PAR?

ATI makes a "purple plus" as well as "true actinic" which seem close in spectrum to the 454s. We change out VHOs about 10-12 months, and the MH bulbs a bit more frequently than that, perhaps 9 months? It is more based on when we see color shift.

Your reef is wonderful. A true inspiration and have read your post a while ago. I decided to write and show my admiration.
The quality of your photos are professionals.
Cheers!!

Thank you for the complement, and really appreciate you taking the time to post in our thread. Stop by anytime! :wavehand:

 

[Adamc1303]

I must say that this tank is overdue for a TOTM!

 

[prop-frags]

I must say that this tank is overdue for a TOTM!

Thanks. Que Sera Sera. We'll just keep plugging away.

How about a little teaser.
We are doing some work out in the garage:

Top and bottom frames:


A few pocket holes with the Kreg jig:


The legs come together:


A little dry-fit:


Glued and screwed:


:rollface:

 

[Drae]

What's the new stand for?

 

[prop-frags]

What's the new stand for?

We're replacing our dysfunctional frag tank with a custom acrylic tank. The dimensions of the new tank are 48"Lx24"Wx12"H.

The tank will be delivered and installed next Friday (10/4) which is the weekend before our annual Reef Party - WOOT! :dance:

In the meantime, the stand has been primed and painted:


We also setup temporary housing (50g stock vat) for our frag tank livestock and have moved most of the corals/frags over:

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Looks good Mike. What is the square thing in the vat. A skimmer?

 

[prop-frags]

Thanks Wayne! And yes, that black box is a skimmer (Tunze DOC 9004).

 

[LoJack]

Absolutely Stunning Tank!!

The 300 DD is my dream tank, and you've done a phenomenal job on your build. This makes me want my upgrade even more!!

Do you find it difficult to work in the tank being 36" wide. My current tank is only 24" wide and I can't reach the bottom back of the tank without going for a swim ... just wondering if you've had any issues if corals fall etc.

 

[JMMJ13902]

Just wow...jaw dropping.

 

[mrbee2828]

I never heard back from you guys about coming down the VB. PM via RC or RRC when you can.

 

[ca1ore]

Thanks! the small brs containers of soda lime don't last long with a big skimmer pulling air through.

When I ran one of these CO2 scrubbers years ago, I actually used to switch it in and out based on pH in the tank using a couple of NO/NC solenoids. Adds complexity, obviously, but saved me some $ on media.

 

[SPotter]

Mike what brand salt is that?

 

[prop-frags]

Absolutely Stunning Tank!!

The 300 DD is my dream tank, and you've done a phenomenal job on your build. This makes me want my upgrade even more!!

Do you find it difficult to work in the tank being 36" wide. My current tank is only 24" wide and I can't reach the bottom back of the tank without going for a swim ... just wondering if you've had any issues if corals fall etc.

Thank you for the awesome compliment and you will LOVE the dimensions of the 300!

We have a custom center overflow box in our tank which changes things a bit. Our canopy design and sliding light rack allow us easy access from the front and sides of the tank, but there are areas towards the center back that are harder to reach. Ehiem Plant Tongs are pretty good in a pinch for grabbing and moving coral(s) that fall in those hard to reach areas.

Just wow...jaw dropping.

Thank you so much!

I never heard back from you guys about coming down the VB. PM via RC or RRC when you can.

PM sent on RRC and sorry for the delayed reply.

When I ran one of these CO2 scrubbers years ago, I actually used to switch it in and out based on pH in the tank using a couple of NO/NC solenoids. Adds complexity, obviously, but saved me some $ on media.

Yes, that would definitely add some complexity, but very cool idea... :idea: Thanks for sharing it with us!

Mike what brand salt is that?

It is AquaCraft Marine Environment.

 

[prop-frags]

It's been a busy 36 hours here and we're exhausted, but the new frag tank is IN and it is HOTTT!!!

Here's a pic taken by the tank builders before delivery:


We'll post up a couple of pics of the install in the morning, so stay tuned!

 

[d3hree]

That's looks awesome mike/ terry!!

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

I totally agree with you. That tank is HOTTTT and SEXAAYYY.

 

[prop-frags]

That's looks awesome mike/ terry!!

I totally agree with you. That tank is HOTTTT and SEXAAYYY.

Thank you Matt and Wayne!

Here are a few pics:






Our old frag tank had a field of rbta's that we just could not control. What started out as 1 small rbta, split into several. Every few months, we would "harvest" all but one and within a week, the lone anemone would split off 2 more and before we knew it, we'd have another new crop field of large rbta's, LOL.

So far, we've managed to remove 5 of the 8 or 9 from the old tank and hope to finish the job tomorrow. Here's a pic:


We still have some cleanup and a bit of rescue work to do, but hopefully all will be finished in the next day or two.

 

[modder man]

This setup is just amazing, I cant wait to one day setup a tank with a 3ft deep dimension. The extra depth just adds so much to the aquarium as you guys have displayed well.