Tank upgrade --> 300 Gallon Marineland Project

mike660r

New member
Well,

I didn't think I would get to this project until next spring. However, everything is coming together to make this happen in the next few months. So, lets get this project started shall we.

I am replacing my 180 gallon RR AGA tank with a new Marineland (Perfecto) 300 gallon deep dimension tank. The tanks specs are 72"x36"x27" with dual corner overflows. I went with this tank as a comprimise to my wifes request. Her request was that I didn't completely invade the family room with a huge tank. I had my eyes set on an 8' wide 400 gallon tank in the beginning. I took the demensions of the tank I wanted and made up a google sketch up drawing to get an idea of the scale involved. It was just way to big for the space I had to work with. Reality started to set in and I started to think more practical. Everyone always wants a larger tank once they have one filled up and stocked in their home. I considered a few more points that are sometimes overlooked in large tank setups. Humidity and electrical consumption were next on the list. I currently control humidity with a dual fan unit in my basement that pushes the humid air outside during this time of year. The home AC helps in the summer and I use a large dehumidifier plumbed to a floor drain in the winter. The additonal electrical concerns I had were mostly pointed at the lighting. I would require and additional bulb, ballast and reflector and the juice to power it all year long for that additional 2' of space. I wasn't really interested in going that far with the tank. So, here I am at the comprimise that I feel will be just as satisfactory as long as I stock it and aquascape the tank properly.

This tank will be primarily SPS and LPS along with a few fish. I have a pretty good assortment of corals now that I intend to move to the new tank once it is set up.

The next step is get my temporary system up and running. I already have a fully functional fish room ready to go. However, do some nucsence algea and red planaria issues. I want to start from scratch. This means that the entire system needs to be drained, dried and scraped out so that I will have a clean start. I will be bringing a 100 gallon tank online in the next few days to a temporary area ready for my current inhabitants.

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I am debating the thought of using one of the tanks I have on hand to make a temporary sump. I have a 40 gallon breeder and a 30 gallon breeder. By keeping the water volume down It will make water changes much more efficent. I am also considering sliding a 100 gallon rubbermaid tub under the bench and then tieing that into the 100 to give me a little more volume. One of the reasons I feel I need more volume is due to the size of my skimmer and its ability to warm the water so easily. I am also considering the additional biological filtration I get from my LR. I would like to take all of my rock out of my tank and place it in the sump for now as well. It needs to be cleaned, cured and treated for red flatworms. I guess I could just take it all out and lay in the drive way for a few nights of 30 degree weather, muhahhaha.

Any suggestions?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13597738#post13597738 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chuggy
will you be selling the 180?

It was spoken for last night as a matter of fact. I had posted it on here about 2 or 3 weeks ago.
 
Mike, that levamisole treatment really works on those red flatworms. If you don't have corals to worry about on the rock then you could treat it with that stuff extra heavy for a few weeks straight. I used it once then about a week later to kill 99.9% of them. I did see a couple moving around within 3 months and should have treated a couple more times to rid myself of them completely but didn't.

I think it's worth a shot to rid yourself of the pests.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13599607#post13599607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by itZme
I think it's worth a shot to rid yourself of the pests.

I couldn't agree with you more. I fully intend to nuke the rocks and corals seperately. I'm getting closer to being able to seperate everything.
 
Made a little progress today. My goal was to get the tank drilled with two 1 1/2" holes to accept some new bulkheads. I am building my reef ready tank. This tank will be an independant system that will become my frag system later down the road. I made the overflows out of 1/4" black acrylic. They are drying on my bench for the next 12 hours. I'll silicone them in tomorrow with some AGA silicone.

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13622970#post13622970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fliynhi
Where did you get the acrylic and was it already slotted?

I got the acrylic from Team Plastics in Cleveland. They are on W 150th near 71. The I made all the slots by hand. I start off by drawing a line 1" below the top of where my teeth will be. I then divide the space up in 1/4" segments. You can draw on the paper that protects the acrylic very easily. I then take a 1/4" drill bit and drill a hole at the bottom seat of where the tooth will be. I use a jig saw to remove the rest of the material. It took me a bout 45 minutes to do all 4 panels last night.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13630633#post13630633 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fliynhi
Sounds easy enough. I think that even my mechanically declined a$$ can handle this project. Thanks

I would have to agree with ya.. :)
 
The temporary tank / frag tank is ready to go. I just need to hang the lights once everything is placed in the tank. I'll be using two aquamedic 250 watt pendants with 14K phoenix bulbs. Here are some updated pics. I'll be starting the stand today.

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A little more progress has been had. I have the supporting structure of the tank base ready to assemble. I followed the stand build design in the DIY forum. I am planning on getting it up stairs this weekend and start the face framing. I hope that by giving it some resemblence to a piece of furniture it will keep my wife calm. This thing is going to be massive. Here are some shots of it sitting in the basement.

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Is one side temporarily attached or is it just leaning there? I don't think that will go up the steps and make the turn ;)

Did you get a screw pocket attachment? I think I see some in there.

Lookin' good man. You will have that thing filled by Thanksgiving at this rate.
 
nice work Mike .... Tooo funny I pocket holed my stand and all the framing of my fish room too .... Im hoping I have mine running by Turkey day fer sure...lol Cant wait to see that monster aquascaped what a canvas to work with !!!!!!!! LOOKIN GOOD!

Sean
 
The whole thing is just leaning there. I have to take it upstairs before I can fasten it all together. I plan to stage the stand in the kitchen for assembly. I did pick up a Kreg pocket screw kit, good eye. It took a couple holes to get use to it. I have it figured out now and it goes pretty fast drilling all the holes. I have learned that clamps are your best friend when it comes to securing two pieces together. The screws want to pull the material and it will make an uneven joint if it isn't clamped down. The face frames for the stand should be a piece of cake now that I have the jig figured out. I am shooting for Christmas to have it done, but Thanksgiving may be possible too.
 
The stand is coming together. I need to build the doors, stain and seal the wood for the base. I will be moving all of my live stock to the basement this week. The next step will be to get the old tank pulled out and placed in the garage. Then bring in the new tank and stand and put it them in place.

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Are you going to add a lip around the top of the stand to cover the stock trim that comes on the tank?

Nice job with the router.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13714690#post13714690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cove Beach
Let me know when you need help moving the big glass box Mike.

Thanks bro, I'm thinking about giving it a shot this Friday. Any of you guys free this Friday?
 
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