Prestwood's 300g Build

[Brian Prestwood]

Like most large tank builders, I'm into it...

The progression leading to this situation was: 80g, 120g, 170g.

Key features of the new tank...

300g 8' Long, 2' wide, 2.5' tall acylic tank
Peninsula tank (visible from three sides)
Suspended canopy for easy access to tank
Stand opens from three sides for easy access to equipment
Rockwork pegged for easy removal and maint
4x RDSBs in a bucket for easy maint
60g low profile sump for easy access

Pics...

Routed the top openings out from 10" X 24" to 14" X 40"

Stand plans...

Completed stand...

and inside...

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Canopy

Canopy

Here's the canopy frame...

and the completed canopy...

and the cables hanging from the vaulted ceiling...

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Sump

Sump

The whole sump with placeholders for return pump, skimmer and media reactors...

Closeup of inflow area with probe mounts, etc...

Rubble/chaeto bed closeup...

Water flow under the rubble bed too...

Outflow area...

 

[mpoletti]

Very nice Brian :thumbsup: I know that you are very handy in the DIY category, but did you make your sump as well?

 

[Brian Prestwood]

I have a more detailed build thread on our club forums.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Hey Mark

Thanks

Yes, I built the sump. I've got water circulating between the tank and sump. I'm going to clean up my living room tonight and take pics.

 

[Western_reefer]

Its looking good!

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Thanks Moses

 

[Brian Prestwood]

The whole tank setup...

The sump...

 

[silentscream]

Are going with a pillar-style aquascape again? Those tank dimensions really compliment the pillars. I really dig the hanging canopy too, keep up the good work, can't wait to see it in person. :thumbsup:

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Hey Justin

Thanks

Yes, I'm going with pillars again.

The old 18" wide tank had two narrowly spaced rows of pillers that didn't leave much room between the corals and the glass.

The new 24" wide tank is going to have one row that flairs out on the bottom. This leaves lots of room for water flow between the corals and the glass.

 

[Western_reefer]

Looking good!

 

[zaheda]

Nice setup. How do you find the acryllic tank to be, regarding getting easily scratched and people complaining of bowing. Can scratches be removed?

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Hey Zahed

It scratches very easily.

My first tank (80g) was acylic. It was badly scratched when I took it down and they didn't have scratch removal kits then. I swore I'd never have another.

I'm hopeful the underwater scratch removal kits (micromesh) will make this a viable option. I can see some spots that my original (dry) buffing didn't get out.

 

[mpoletti]

The whole tank setup...

The sump...

Looks good Brian :thumbsup:

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Thanks Mark

Frustrating day yesterday. I cut into the power cord of my skimmer pump (Laguna MaxFlo 2000) trying to mod it. Have to get a new one. Considering one of the pre-modded Marine Solution MaxFlow 1500s.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

I ended up getting a stock Laguna (Askoll) MaxFlo 1500 and modding it. The mesh modded pump is drawing 1600 LPH of air and 60w of power. FWIW - the Laguna PowerJet 1500 appears to be the same pump with different filter basket. Its normally cheaper than the MaxFlo version.

Denis at H20 Exclusive loaned me a Red Dragon to compare. It uses the older (much larger) style Laguna MaxFlow 1500. The label claims it draws 1500 LPH of air. Its more like 2400. As advertised, it draws around 40w of power.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Rock Work

Rock Work

East Side

East Side Closeup

North Side

West Side

West Side Closeup

The plate in the middle is approx 14" across its longest dimension. Thanks Rob (RasRobre) for the great deal on the plate.

The north end isn't finished yet. When I clear the old livestock out I'll put up one more shorter spire.

 

[Kemmer]

I appreciate all the design info for your stand and canopy! Looking great so far, can't wait to see it fully stocked.

~Kem

 

[tfp]

brian, the new setup looks great man! glad you took your time getting it done. PM sent...