My 300g dream tank build

[buffalobunch]

Figured now that it's up and running I'd post the build thread. It took a lot of effort on my hubby's part to convince me to sell everything I had been growing for 5 years to finance this tank. I have to admit though, it was worth it. We found this tank on craigslist.

I had sold everything in the 110 so that I could clear the space that the 300g would go in.

It was like this for 2 or 3 weeks until we got the stand finished. When we bought it, it was painted black. We stripped and sanded for what felt like an eternity! I was finally able to bring in the stand!!

Then it was time to bring in the tank! It took 7 of my husbands crew from work to lift it and bring it in! Glad it wasn't me!

Once we got it up on the stand, we could really see some pretty large scratches. You can see the 2 big ones towards the top in this picture.

Let the buffing begin!!

 

[buffalobunch]

Time for the water test!!

We had a bit of a hair algae problem in the 110. The rock that we kept, we did the muratic acid wash and hydrogen peroxide wash to rid the hair algae and let it set in the sun for a few days then moved it to a kiddy pool. We ordered some prime cut pieces of dry rock.

Mr. Buffalo drilled holes and began to build the towers. We used acrylic rods up through the center of the rocks and used reef safe cement to secure them in place

 

[buffalobunch]

Time to start filling!! This also seemed like an eternity!! It took 3 days to make the water to fill it up!

Some of the plumbing pics. So glad my hubby is an expert at the plumbing! right overflow
left over flow


All filled up!!

I kept the mangrove tank that was plumbed into the 110. I've had this tank on the last 2 tanks. The cabinet to the right holds all of the ballasts for the lights. Far,far away from the water!! LOL

The tank finally cycled and was ready for fish. The only fish I kept was Fred. I used to breed bangaii cardinals a long time ago. Fred is one of the fry I raised. Fred was like "woa!!! 300g's all to my self!!!"

 

[buffalobunch]

Then we added some clown fish. 1 davinci, 2 snowflakes


2 firefish. I really dig these guys! They always flick their little antennae at me! I also didn't realize how they burrow in the sand. Super cool fish behavior to watch

Disbar anthias

And an exquisite wrasse

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Wow! Amazing build.

 

[dream54ing]

:thumbsup::beer:

 

[Tschupe]

Yeah great job. I love the towers. And 7 guys to carry that tank, holy cow!

 

[Weyrman]

^+1

Nicely set up.

 

[buffalobunch]

Thanks guys!!

 

[buffalobunch]

Here are some shots from this morning. Current fish list
4 Bartlett anthias
3 Disbar anthias
2 purple firefish
3 clownfish
1 bangaii cardinal
1 blue damsel
1 exquisite wrasse
2 flame wrasses
We're not sure what's going on with Frank and Jordan the flame wrasses. When we bought the pair, there was a male and female. The female started hanging out with the anthias and turned into a male. The old male continues to get lighter and more docile everyday. They all get along. Not sure if wrasses can change back to females or if he will just be a sub adult male. Either way there's enough room that they all get along. Had a little cyano that is clearing up due to the power heads that were on the back of the tank taking a crap. We replaced those this last weekend. Unfortunately the tank is 1" thick on one end so my 2 brand new MP 40s are both on one end because they wouldn't stick to the 1" side. Bummer!


Some coral pics. The ricordias came from aztbs. This is one of my favorite parts of the tank

Then of course, chalice island, since I'm a chalice lover

 

[24gnanonewbie]

Super cool build and tank! Jealous!

 

[Markcle]

Now that's a nice set up. Looks awesome!

 

[Nibrown9]

Looks great! I'm waiting for the day I can switch to a 300+ tank

 

[mvergas]

Beautiful build! Plumbing job is really nice, I like the flex tubing.

 

[evolved]

We're not sure what's going on with Frank and Jordan the flame wrasses. When we bought the pair, there was a male and female. The female started hanging out with the anthias and turned into a male. The old male continues to get lighter and more docile everyday. They all get along. Not sure if wrasses can change back to females or if he will just be a sub adult male. Either way there's enough room that they all get along.

Keeping Cirrhilabrus female in captivity can be difficult, and how difficult varies by species. That being said, C. jordani (flames) are probably THE most difficult in this department. There are very, very few success stories of keeping females female and not transitioning in the long term. However, if a female jordani transitions in the presence of an existing male, they usually are able to work it out without killing another.

A reversal from transitional male (sub-male) back to female is possible, and on rare occasion does happen. However, once a male reaches a terminal male state (aka super male), their sex is just that: terminal. A reversal is not possible at that point.

The jordani in the back right is a terminal male; the one near the lower left is a transitional male.

 

[Dreamer79]

wow nice tank.....reallie nice. how to u clean the live rock after muratic acid- hydrogen peroxide. thanks

 

[vincent92]

Awesome tank !

 

[jjk_reef00]

Awesome tank, and I love the flames!
How did you buff your tank, and are you happy with the results?
And your pics look great!

 

[buffalobunch]

Keeping Cirrhilabrus female in captivity can be difficult, and how difficult varies by species. That being said, C. jordani (flames) are probably THE most difficult in this department. There are very, very few success stories of keeping females female and not transitioning in the long term. However, if a female jordani transitions in the presence of an existing male, they usually are able to work it out without killing another.

A reversal from transitional male (sub-male) back to female is possible, and on rare occasion does happen. However, once a male reaches a terminal male state (aka super male), their sex is just that: terminal. A reversal is not possible at that point.


The jordani in the back right is a terminal male; the one near the lower left is a transitional male.

Ok here's the crazy part Hunter, the one on the left looked exactly like the one on the right when we bought him. Blue outline, was displaying all the time and then the girl just started to change one day. The transition only took about a week.

 

[buffalobunch]

Awesome tank, and I love the flames!
How did you buff your tank, and are you happy with the results?
And your pics look great!

We used 400 grit sandpaper and sanded by hand first then used the novus 1,2, 3 kit with an auto detailer. Best decision I ever made!