My 300 custom build

[805reef]

I currently have an acrylic 180 (48x30x30) peninsula style tank. It has been running for about 6 years. It has been a great tank but there are some things that I would change about it:

• no more acrylic, i realize starphire can scratch also but just dont want to deal with acrylic anymore
• 30" tall is fantastic but a hassle to clean the bottom and place corals and such, I want a bit shorter
• 30" deep is great but I want deeper, increasing it to 36"
• internal full height overflow takes up so much space!
• herbie overflow is nice but I want a bean animal next

I am going to get a custom built glass tank 80x36x24.

• 3 sides starphire
• external overflow w/ bean animal
• eurobracing with some cross braces (not sure how many)
• custom wood stand

Here is my poor rendering of what I want

The green on the top is supposed to be the eurobracing... You can see on the back side there are 2 holes. I am thinking of using those for the returns. It will make more sense if you see the location of where the tank is going.

You can see the back side of the new longer tank will be viewable for about half of the length and then covered by a wall on the right half. That is where the return hole in the middle would be, so it is not in view from the opposite side.

Here is the view from the other side:

The 3 starphire sides would be the 3 visible sides and the back/overflow side would be standard glass. The overflow side of the tank will be about a foot away from the wall so you would still be able to squeeze back there to see in from that side which is why I am thinking of putting the overflow holes to the side of the overflow instead of in the center. I also have the return line coming up all the way in the back so it will line up with the holes and be out of the way.

Does anybody see any problems with this plan or have any suggestions?

 

[bullitr]

Very nice Vince

 

[PederP]

Hi.

Sounds sweet
I've been wondering how you maintain your acrylic tanks. It looks so good, but "over here" we're used to the glass tanks. (and I find it hard enough to keep them scratch free)

Are you planning on sticking to the t5 lights in the new setup?

 

[805reef]

Very nice Vince

Thanks Lawrence! I showed my wife some videos of your tank and that helped convince her to agree to the upgrade! Looks like I'll be trying to copy your arch soon.

Hi.

Sounds sweet
I've been wondering how you maintain your acrylic tanks. It looks so good, but "over here" we're used to the glass tanks. (and I find it hard enough to keep them scratch free)

Are you planning on sticking to the t5 lights in the new setup?

Acrylic tanks aren't horrible but ye a they do scratch. There are pros and cons and everyone has their own preferences.

I will not be keeping the t5's. I am going to give led a shot, thinking of going with some Kessil 360we's.

 

[805reef]

I finally got this build going and some updates.

I ended up going with an internal coast to coast instead of an external. Other than that I think everything else is the same. The tank is currently being built by Precision Aquariums. Here are some in progress pics:

the tank:

mitered corners:

and my sump and fuge are being built by Advanced Acrylic. These are supposed to be delivered today so I should be able to update with real pics soon!

*note:these are just rough/quick mockups main for dimensions/hole placement

sump:

fuge:

Hoping the tank and stand will be done in early July.

 

[805reef]

My fuge and sump got delivered last night! I haven't unwrapped them yet but here are some sneak peak pics!

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[805reef]

Here are some updated pictures. I had a couple leaks because of some mistakes I made. I was on a roll with the plumbing and I forgot to put the gate valve in for the drain so I had to cut the pipe and try to fit it in and it ended up with a leak. Similar thing with the return. So I am waiting on some pieces to come in the mail on Monday and then I'll get it all finished up.

From the living room:

short side:

Entry way:

Entry way angle:

Short side corner:

another short side corner:

backside:

back cabinet:

Back cabinet opened:

Cabinet close up:

 

[805reef]

Electronics:

FTS & inside stand:

Inside stand short side/Fuge:

 

[chimmike]

Lord those are big pics! I'm looking on a 32" tv and still can't see but 1/3 of it!