Why shouldn't I get a 300 gallon marineland deep dimensions tank?

Yes but its my last tank unless i move and i dont plan on moving until i retire in 2024 or later. I have gone through many tanks since 1984? This is the biggest, most planned and researched to the point of making alterations in home. Its not like with other tanks where i can move it from one corner and replace it with another. anyway thats my story and im sticking with it.
 
I had the ML DD 300 and didn't care for it....mainly due to its size. I found it quite challenging to have access to the front (or back) of the tank - and regular maintenance was just a pain. About 2 months after warranty - front panel cracked. This was early on and part of their very first productions they sent out. I had starphire front and sides. They ended up replaceing it but I ultimately went with All-Glass 180 which was much easier to get to and for maintenance. Now, I must say - if you can get around the maintenance/accesability part - the tank really was nice - beveled edges, nice glass - it was designed nicely. the overflows weren't the best but they were do-able.
 
there's a one year warranty if you don't use their stand... something like a twenty year warranty if you do use their stand.

The one drawback is the overflow and the top braces. The water level will get to the point that the two top braces that span front to back will be under the top of the water level if you want a lot of flow in the overflow. And by a lot, I mean anything over about 1000 gph, which on a tank that size is not really a lot. It's a bit of an annoyance, but...

I did price both custom and this tank. I got the 300DD for somewhere in the $1500 range about 2 years ago. A custom tank with anywhere near the same dimensions and shipping was always over $3000. That is a lot of money, and I was more than content to tolerate a few of the issues with the 300DD as a result.
 
from what I've read there is no warranty at all if you don't use a commercially built stand, and then the 1 year/20 year thing... but I read it a while back.. things change all the time...
 
crvz said:
there's a one year warranty if you don't use their stand... something like a twenty year warranty if you do use their stand.

The one drawback is the overflow and the top braces. The water level will get to the point that the two top braces that span front to back will be under the top of the water level if you want a lot of flow in the overflow. And by a lot, I mean anything over about 1000 gph, which on a tank that size is not really a lot. It's a bit of an annoyance, but...

I did price both custom and this tank. I got the 300DD for somewhere in the $1500 range about 2 years ago. A custom tank with anywhere near the same dimensions and shipping was always over $3000. That is a lot of money, and I was more than content to tolerate a few of the issues with the 300DD as a result.
Click to expand...

I have the 250 DD and agree with all this.
 
who uses the marineland stand and canopy with the deep dimensions tank?

What are the issues with them? I know the stand height is not great and consequently the space for the sump/equipment is suboptimal.

What skimmer are people using?

Anyone using the marineland sumps?
 
skraj011 said:
interesting. Why are you sick of acrylic?
Click to expand...
In a nutshell, acrylic is just too soft.

To expand further on that, it scratches easy

To go even further, if you need to do any serious cleaning on the surfaces (inside) you will be in for a world of hurt.

Yes acrylic "invisible" compared to glass... assuming the acrylic is perfectly clean and I mean PERFECTLY. My biggest problem is coraline algae, I don't know what it is, but every tank I've had whether it was glass or acrylic could not grow the stuff ... on rocks ... however it grew like crazy over every flat surface inside the tank. And removing coraline from acrylic is the WORST, sure you can take care of small little dots here and there with a credit card, and Mighty Magnet even sells a product (maybe repackaged) that is pretty damn great for removing it... but if I let it go for more than a week (which isn't too hard if I get really busy or go away on vacation) large colonies start to form, and it goes from a pain to remove to "WHY ME!!!!!"

With my old glass tank if that happened I pull out a razor blade and go to town scrape everything away in a few minutes and viola! Looks clear as can be... and yes it looks clearer than acrylic. Sure acrylic (and to a lesser extend starphire) is clearer, but only if it has no stuff on it, if it does however then your eye instantly focuses on it and you can see the entire glass/acrylic pane no problem.

So even though the tank I'm fixing up 8' x 3' is acrylic, I got it because it was a cheap used one (and I mean cheap!) and the place that made it does get good praise, so it's good enough. But if I ever had to get a new tank, doesn't matter if it's 12' x 8' tank that's free, if it's acrylic I don't want it! (ok if it's FREE maybe..)
 
skraj011 said:
who uses the marineland stand and canopy with the deep dimensions tank?

What are the issues with them? I know the stand height is not great and consequently the space for the sump/equipment is suboptimal.

What skimmer are people using?

Anyone using the marineland sumps?
Click to expand...

I've seen the marineland stand in action. It's short, but mostly because it had to be of a dimension that would fit through doors. Since it's 36" wide, and most residential interior doors are only 32", it makes sense that the stand is only what, 28" tall? Otherwise it wouldnt be very functional. I have mine built up on a stand that's about 37" high.

I'm using the ReefOctopus SSS5000INT with great success in a reef setup with a good amount of fish.
 
I own a 300dd and the only thing I hate was the cost setting it up!!!
The face people make when the see it is priceless!!!!
I just hate putting frags on rock because if they don't stick there gone
Also need to put on a snorkel every time I glue frags
 
The dimentions for the 300 DD are perfect. If it were me, I'd go custom. I forget who, but a guy on here did have ML make him one with a coast to coast over flow. IMO that is the way to go except ML doesn't really do custom work so I think he had a lot of communication problems along the way.

Maybe someone will recall who I'm talking about and direct you to that thread.

HA, even if you spend two or three times more, the cost of the tank is still the cheapest part, lol.
 
Spirofucci said:
The dimentions for the 300 DD are perfect. If it were me, I'd go custom. I forget who, but a guy on here did have ML make him one with a coast to coast over flow. IMO that is the way to go except ML doesn't really do custom work so I think he had a lot of communication problems along the way.

Maybe someone will recall who I'm talking about and direct you to that thread.

HA, even if you spend two or three times more, the cost of the tank is still the cheapest part, lol.
Click to expand...

Edit; I forgot to add that the ML DD has at least one maybe two center braces instead of "euro' bracing.
 
It comes with holes in bottom. A friend of mine plugged them and drilled back pane for c2c overflow
Corey
 
I have two Marineland 250 DD's, with factory stands and canopies, being set up now and plan to add water tis weekend. Fabulous looking tanks and didn't have too much trouble finding a skimmer to fit in the stand.

View attachment 218207
 
I've had mine set up for about a year now and I really like it. The dimensions are nice and manageable for maintenance if its in a fish room. I can imagine it being more difficult when using their stand and canopy.

The only downside I have noticed with the tank is the 2) cross braces on the tank. It creates shadowing with the way I have my lights set up. Otherwise I think it's a good design. I have not noticed any issues with the overflows and don't mind them at all.
 
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