My ~300 gal Miracles tank is on the way!

[Hooligan]

After much research and planning, I'm in the process of setting up my first reef aquarium. In early October I ordered a custom aquarium from Miracles (the photos they sent are attached) and it is finally complete and ready to ship!

I did post a bit of an introduction in the newbie forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2465445 but I figured readers of this forum would be more interested in the pictures.

I should probably note that my wife is almost as excited as I am!

Hopefully I'll be able to contribute something of value in the future...

 

[dave.m]

Sweet! Looks like you are going with some closed loops. You must tell us all about the design.

Dave.M

 

[Hooligan]

Yes, after agonizing over the decision literally for years, I decided to go with closed loops for main circulation while the return from the basement sump will use a SeaSwirl in each back corner.

There are 3 separate closed loops (each powered by a Dolphin Amp Master 4750-4) which I will be able to cycle on and off any way and in any combination I want (Apex). Furthermore, 2 of the loops will be split into two outputs, one of which will have an electric valve. I'm planning on experimenting with the various flow possibilities during the freshwater testing phase.

 

[Holyreefer]

After much research and planning, I'm in the process of setting up my first reef aquarium. In early October I ordered a custom aquarium from Miracles (the photos they sent are attached) and it is finally complete and ready to ship!



I did post a bit of an introduction in the newbie forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2465445 but I figured readers of this forum would be more interested in the pictures.



I should probably note that my wife is almost as excited as I am!



Hopefully I'll be able to contribute something of value in the future...

You got the wife involved?
Yeah gonna be nice lol [emoji1]

 

[ca1ore]

Very nice. I really like the external scupper box - that's the way I would do the overflow if I ever go with a custom tank.

 

[Hooligan]

Very nice. I really like the external scupper box - that's the way I would do the overflow if I ever go with a custom tank.

Well, obviously, I concur! Really, if you're going to expend the time, effort, and cash to go custom I don't see why you'd go any other route (barring some sort of weird space or decor constraint). Likewise having 3 holes in it for a BA drain system. Each of those weirs is 16" x 1.5" in case you were wondering.

The other thing I wanted was a good width - this tank is 30.75" (external). On the other hand, after reading some recent threads, I wonder if I made a mistake and went too tall - 31.325" external. I am planning on having deep enough sand (probably about 3.5 - 4") for a pistol shrimp/goby pair and other sand-dwelling fauna...

Thanks to all for the compliments and well-wishes. There's a lot of work (much of which will be fun!) ahead of me. My goal is to have saltwater in the system by Memorial Day - we'll see how realistic that turns out to be!

 

[ca1ore]

My current tank, a stock 265, is 30" tall. Worried a bit about that initially, and while it can be a bit of a pain to reach stuff on the bottom in the back (invest in a set of forceps) I really like the look if the extra height.