Share your experience with 300DD

[Hwobarg]

I am new to RC but not new to the hobbie. I recently tore down my 80 and when I move I wanted to do a Marineland 300 Deep Dimension. I wonder if anyone can share any cons with this tank. So far all I see that I wish it had was a third hole in each overflow for an emergency drain. Also the stand is way too short. But there are ways to deal with that like placing it on a platform.

 

[lpsouth1978]

We got a 300DD about 6 months ago and so far we really like it. The only issue we have had was some missing silicone on the top brace of the first one we received. We sent this one back and got another that was better. The stand is VERY short for this tank, which is why we decided to forego the 20 year warranty and build our own stand. My roommate is a welder, so he built a stand that could hold a fully loaded Semi truck.

The Marineland stand is so short because it has to fit through a door. If they made it taller, it would not fit through doors in many homes. Our stand was built in 2 parts (top and bottom), put in place and then bolted together. The stand alone weighs more than 1000 pounds and took 5 guys to get in the house (ground floor and no stairs).

 

[apcoleman]

I have the 250DD and I love it. The downside as mentioned is the short factory stand which limits your hardware underneath if you go that route. The other potential con is that the back of the tank is very difficult to reach if you don't have access from the rear. Otherwise its a great tank and I love it.

 

[Mustang67]

Very happy with my 300 DD. A 300 gives you enough room for growth and options. In hind sight I think a 500 would have been perfect. At least when it comes to livestock options.
I researched for weeks, I wanted a tank that was built by a major MFG, something that was well built, solid and has a good track record..
Due to the short stand height we build a 12" platform to set the Monterey stand on. Its spot on and looks great.

Here is a link to my build http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2467347&page=2

http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/m...w tank supplies/IMG_2814_zpsu40nicjr.jpg.html

 

[hobbzz]

Don't get the factory stand. You might also need to modify the teeth on the overflows to allow them to flow more or your braces will sit in the water.

 

[lpsouth1978]

You might also need to modify the teeth on the overflows to allow them to flow more or your braces will sit in the water.

I guess this will depend on your return pump. I don't like to have too much flow going through the sump so I am using a Jebao DCT12000 return pump, pushing about 1,800 GPH (after head loss), and my braces are about an inch above the water surface. I also have 2 Jebao RW-20's for water movement and on some settings the water will reach the braces due to waves (which I try to keep to a minimum). That totals to more than 12,000 GPH of flow in the DT with 1,800 through the sump.

 

[hobbzz]

If your braces are an inch above the water then you either aren't putting out that much flow through the sump which wouldn't surprise me, or the overflows weren't a problem with 100% of the tanks they put out. Because I'm putting out around 1400gph (measured and confirmed) and my overflow teeth are notched out and increased about twice in size, and still hanging in the water. What's your head?

 

[lpsouth1978]

If your braces are an inch above the water then you either aren't putting out that much flow through the sump which wouldn't surprise me, or the overflows weren't a problem with 100% of the tanks they put out. Because I'm putting out around 1400gph (measured and confirmed) and my overflow teeth are notched out and increased about twice in size, and still hanging in the water. What's your head?

I took a look at it after work and the water is about 1" below the rim of the tank and about 1/2" below the braces. My head is about 5' with a "T" and 2 x 90 degree turns (made up of 45 degree PVC fittings). The 1800 GPH may be a bit generous, but it cannot be much lower, if any, than your 1400. I may have to get another DCT 12000 and see how the tank handles double the flow.

 

[Hwobarg]

Thanks all for the info. I forgot about the door thing, but the stand is only 29" high. I believe entry doors can fir 33" items through. Yes it limits where you can go within the house. So I guess I am building a custom stand. Just dont have time these days

 

[hobbzz]

You should be able to knock out the frame of the stand in a day or less.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964

 

[Hwobarg]

Its not the frame. Its the perty parts and the finishing that takes a lot of time. Not even the wood prep (if your going for the natural wood look) but a good quality clear coat will be several coats and sanding in between. Custom doors take a bit of time as well...Matching Canopy takes even longer because there is more function there and since it is closer to the eyes, ones attention to detail matters more...

 

[lpsouth1978]

Thanks all for the info. I forgot about the door thing, but the stand is only 29" high. I believe entry doors can fir 33" items through. Yes it limits where you can go within the house. So I guess I am building a custom stand. Just dont have time these days

Most entry doors, yes. Some older homes have smaller doors, however if you are not keeping it in the family room, immediately inside the front door, it will not fit through most interior doors if taller than 29".

Make sure your custom stand fits as well. We built ours in 2 sections, the top is about 18" tall and the bottom is 32" tall. The bottom just barely fit through the door and then the 2 sections were bolted together.

 

[Hwobarg]

How many gph return pumps do you all recommend? And do you know of you can order the tanks with a third hole in each overflow?