Mike's 300 Double-D

[Sloanhaus]

Also, do you have a list of all the fish in your tank. I really like to see what is working as far as tank mates. Thanks Sloan

 

[Sloanhaus]

Sorry for all the replys, last question for the next 5 minutes lol. With all you know now, would your still use the OM 4 closed loop method or would you choose to do something else? The reason I asked is that I saw the Sea Sweeper and it looked interesting. Please let me know as I have already ordered my drill bits and want to make sure that I use what you consider to be the best way. Thanks again

 

[prop-frags]

Just went through your entire thread - you guys have had a wild ride. Absolutely stunning!!
Love the light rack - your build is really well done & makes mine look pretty ghettoish.:fish2:
Lots of sweet corals & I love the wrasse collection! And that only scratches the surface of your awesome reef!
Congrats again on TOTM. One of the best.....

Thanks Greg! Your rebuild is looking awesome.

Wow everything is looking good sir. You going to stop upgrading anytime soon? LOL

Thanks Doug. You know us, we're spending the kids inheritance on this crazy hobby we love. i guess the upgrades never really cease, at least not until we do... :uhoh2:

thanks for the pics of the light rack.

So it appears you basically removed one of the MH's and swapped in the AI Hydra 52 in place.
What is the purpose or thought with the 2 small pendant styles? Do you plan long term maybe to swap out the 3 MH's w 3 AI Hydra's? Or will you need more?

I too have very similiar size foot print (66x36) & sps dominate and have been kicking around LED's especially now since price is coming way down. So anxiosly awaiting results of the swap!!

How high off water? Spread looks good for the footprint?

Yep, you've got it. We likely will replace the MH fixtures with some kind of larger LED fixture like the Hydra 52s. The jury is still out what kind of supplemental lighting will be needed. Pretty sure we'll need something given the width of the tank, but just trying to find something that is complementary and doesn't break the bank.

The Hydra fixture is occupying the same spot as the MH reflectors, but given the design, they are a bit closer to the water level (11").

 

[Sloanhaus]

Hey Mike, I am about to place my order for all my plumbing and wanted to see if you had a list of the plumbing that you purchased and where you purchased from. I have no problem making a donation to you for your help.

Thanks

Sloan

OK, we are finally getting some time to post an update for all the work that has been going on here with the 300DD rebirth project! Thanks for your patience and the words of encouragement everyone!

As you guys know, since our original tank had a bottom seam split back on 9/13/2010, we did a custom order with Perfecto. We picked up the new tank on 3/5/2011. Here's a scale drawing of how the custom build turned out:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626019402/" title="300dd by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5626019402_7bc89c3ec3_z.jpg" width="640" height="248" alt="300dd"></a>

The overflow box is approx 14" wide and 7" front-to-back, yielding about 28" of linear overflow space. Since the new center-mounted overflow creates a completely different form-factor, we had to modify the plumbing under the tank quite a bit. Here you can see the drain and return line arrangement coming into the new overflow box.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5625668321/" title="nt 1011 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5625668321_9423fd57ca_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 1011"></a>

Here's a closer look at the plumbing and how we had to rework it. We only have four holes to work with, compared to the six we had with the last time. So we opted to keep the two Herbie drains, and have only one emergency durso. The last hole is occupied by the return line, which we split off to dual outlets up top. The main drain lines back to the sump got re-worked. The dual Herbie's now come into two 2" swoop lines and then connect to the 2" drain line down to the sump in the garage. The Durso uses a 1" spa flex line into the original 1.5" drain fitting - we simply capped off the second drain line (giving a somewhat aroused look to the plumbing hahah):

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5625582145/" title="nt 1006 copy by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5625582145_0da2ab39fa_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 1006 copy"></a>

Here's a shot looking down at the new overflow box. The wonderful thing about this new arrangement is that the drain and overflow is almost completely silent! It truly is amazing how quiet this setup is!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5625420657/" title="nt 998 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5625420657_67d58126e3_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 998"></a>

With the plumbing done, and all the leak tests completed, it was time to move the live rock up to the display and start assembling the aquascaping structures. We had scrubbed and cooked the rock for about 6 months in 110g stock tanks to get it nice and clean. Mrs. Prop-Frags had wanted to use the StarBoard under the rock, and it worked out great. Highly recommended. Here is one of the work-in-progress shots taken while we did the work back on 4/7:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626003680/" title="DSC_5139 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5626003680_8b2760a695_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="DSC_5139"></a>

The next day, we added the sand in. Same deal - we cleaned and cooked the sand in one of the stock tanks as well. It was cloudy for a couple hours, but cleared up very quickly:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5625415235/" title="DSC_5141 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5625415235_4aa20ec2cb_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="DSC_5141"></a>

Next up was to bring the canopy up from the garage. We had been using it on the temporary 350g tank, but now it was time to reinstall it. Of course, a nice rub down with R/O water got all the salt spray off:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626186934/" title="nt 1010 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5626186934_9741ff002c_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 1010"></a>

One of the key things we wanted to do with the re-install was to move all the electrical connections away from the tank and out from under the stand. Since we installed the lighting electronics out in the laundry room, we needed to re-work the wiring on the light rack to accommodate the wiring harnesses coming through wall into the laundry room. Here's a look at the light rack wiring:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626008892/" title="nt 997 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5626008892_d648d43405_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 997"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626011316/" title="nt 1000 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/5626011316_59e6905973_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 1000"></a>

And here's a look at the lighting electronic cabinet on the other side of the wall. In the lower right, are the two dedicated 20-amp circuits we pulled from the breaker box:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626008150/" title="nt 996 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5626008150_23ecaf2f7f_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 996"></a>

 

[prop-frags]

Hey Mike, Cant thank you enough for doing this. I just got my 300 dd and I am basically copying your set up as far as the closed loop and plumbing. Quick question, I know you flipped your tank upside down to drill the holes in the bottom. Can I drill from inside of the tank? I really don't want to attempt to turn this thing over as I have it on a dolly right now as we wait to move into our new house. I can access the bottom floor just fine and the over flows have what looks like removable doors on them (I haven't tried removing them yet). This would be a lot easier for me. Thanks in advance for your reply. Sloan

Hello Sloan. You're welcome! As we've said a bunch on here, it's a good day when someone is able to reuse our ideas, improve on a design, or avoid a mistake by using some of the info we've put into the thread. So thanks for reading.

As far as drilling - firstly, you must know that drilling your tank will void your warranty with the manufacturer, so beware of all that goes with that decision. We opted to get the drilling done at the factory on our most recent tank. You can drill from either side, but it's a little safer if you do it from the bottom, as sometimes there can be minor chipping as the bit exits the "other side"; you just want to be aware of that if that's the dry side of your bulkhead.

Also, do you have a list of all the fish in your tank. I really like to see what is working as far as tank mates. Thanks Sloan

Take a look at our recent TOTM writeup for the most recent stocking list we've published.

Sorry for all the replys, last question for the next 5 minutes lol. With all you know now, would your still use the OM 4 closed loop method or would you choose to do something else? The reason I asked is that I saw the Sea Sweeper and it looked interesting. Please let me know as I have already ordered my drill bits and want to make sure that I use what you consider to be the best way. Thanks again

If you are drilling your own holes, and you've already ordered your hole saws, I hope you read the part about using schedule-80 bulkheads. If I had it to do over again, I would highly recommend the use of schedule-80 bulkheads, and for that you will need larger holes.

As far as the OM-4, it is highly recommended! We have been very pleased with the dependability and quiet operation of the unit. Our closed loop design has been a big key to success with this system. We have very little detritus build up in the sand bed or on the rock work - which has helped tremendously with maintenance and with keeping nutrients down and SPS healthy.

As far as the Sea Sweep units, I'm all ears. They look really slick and wouldn't mind at all trying it out. The challenge I think with those is being able to have the room for the "flow arc" that one would cover, and avoid corals that would be too close to it and getting too much direct flow.

Hey Mike, I am about to place my order for all my plumbing and wanted to see if you had a list of the plumbing that you purchased and where you purchased from. I have no problem making a donation to you for your help.

Sorry Sloan, but I never did compile a comprehensive list of the plumbing parts used in the project. It would be one heckuva big list though! Much of the parts came from the usual places (box stores, US Plastics, Savco, etc.). Some of the more unique parts were sourced from places like McMaster-Carr and I think we went somewhere unique for the Spa Flex we used (we're huge fans of Spa Flex!!). Use gate valves for your herbie drains. Use high-quality bulk heads (in fact, we recommend that you always splurge on the most expensive bulkheads you can find - it's just absolutely worth it). Use high quality TUBVs (true union ball valves) for all your shut-offs, especially those that are plumbed in close to bulkheads. You want ball valves that are easy to turn, and won't cause you to put unnecessary torque on your bulkheads!

Any donations you would care to make I would suggest sending to the Coral Restoration Foundation

Good luck with your build!! Time for a beer.:beer:

 

[prop-frags]

Thought we would share a short video:

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Hq4I21nUpek?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[aquaph8]

Just awesome and man has that eightline grown.

 

[dave.m]

Always a colourful feast for the eyes. Thx for the vid.

Dave.M

 

[vair]

Super cool! The fish all seem to cohabiting so well with zero aggression towards each other, must be the happy music they are listening too.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Great short teaser video. You should do like a 3 day video and post it so we can experience the whole thing.

 

[jt48]

Very nice. Whats the song? I want to pandora it.

 

[mattskims]

Very nice. Whats the song? I want to pandora it.

Cabin By The Sea - The Dirty Heads

 

[Sloanhaus]

I live in Orlando, and I can tell you that Sea World doesn't have a tank as pretty as yours!

Do you have inverts in your tank, I don't see any snails or any type of cleaner crew.

 

[Sloanhaus]

Nevermind, just read your totm story. Amazing the work you put into your tank and the types of fish you are able to house.

 

[prop-frags]

Just awesome and man has that eightline grown.

Thanks Bret! We like to call him the torpedo wrasse!

Always a colourful feast for the eyes. Thx for the vid.

Dave.M

Thanks Dave. It's just a teaser vid - we'll put together another feature film soon :lolspin:

Super cool! The fish all seem to cohabiting so well with zero aggression towards each other, must be the happy music they are listening too.

Well, they were being well-behaved - the salad is a good incentive for them to cooperate. Believe it, they do a fair bit of chasing. All in all though they do get along fairly well. The big desjardini actually is the enforcer for the tank. He gets grumpy if other fish are fighting and will break up most aggression. :hammer:

Great short teaser video. You should do like a 3 day video and post it so we can experience the whole thing.

Thanks Wayne. Looking forward to seeing your next video!

I live in Orlando, and I can tell you that Sea World doesn't have a tank as pretty as yours! Amazing the work you put into your tank and the types of fish you are able to house.

Thanks for the kind words! That's gotta be a first - Sea World better watch out!

:fish1: :fish2:


We have wanted an OrangePeel Angelfish (Centropyge flavissima variant) for a long time and were thrilled when Kevin at Pacific Island Aquatics told us he had one last month. Our little Angelfish cutie arrived in GREAT condition and is currently hanging out in one of our quarantine tanks.

Thought we would share a couple of pics taken by Kevin at PIA:


A decent comparison in color between a normal Lemonpeel and this variant:


It's been very interesting watching him adapt to captivity. Initially, he didn't want to eat anything out of the water column. So it's been a challenge to find ways to get him to eat to keep him nourished, while getting him used to eating food from a bottle So far, so good... Let us know if anyone has had any experience with fussy angelfish and getting them used to captivity. We'd love to hear some new tricks.

 

[johnnyatc]

Very nice!!

 

[Allmost]

A decent comparison in color between a normal Lemonpeel and this variant:

Any Idea if they keep the orange as they grow ? been seeing these lately.

hope it starts eating for you soon

 

[prop-frags]

Very nice!!

Thank You!

Any Idea if they keep the orange as they grow ? been seeing these lately.

hope it starts eating for you soon

According to Kevin, they do. I guess only time will tell for sure...

Initially, I added a couple of small rocks to the tank with a good amount of algae and sponges on them to help while weening him over to prepared foods. After trying frozen Hikari mysis, brine, spirulina brine, Mega Marine Angelfish, cyclopeez and PE mysis, with absolutely NO interest from the Angel, I finally just threw a few NLS pellets in. They happeded to land in the area near the two rocks he's been picking at. To my surprise, :bigeyes: he started plucking the pellets off the bottom and eating them, LOL! :lol:

Over the past 48 hours, he has started eating Hikari Spirulina Brine and Angelfish preparation - he was tentative at first, but eating with gusto today. About an hour ago, for the first time, I decided to offer him some dried red algae on a clip (cut in strips) and to my amazement, he recognized it as food and started plucking and eating it. :dance:

-Terry

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

That's good news and great progress? How's the light testing coming along?

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

That's good news and great progress? How's the light testing coming along?

:hmm6::hmm6::hmm6: