Yoccm's 300G DD In Wall Build

[yoccm]

Well after being out of reef keeping for 11 years I finally have the chance to jump back in as we are finishing our basement and have been given permission by the better half to have an in wall tank with a fish room. I have been following along on many great threads here that have inspired me to go big!!!

My equipment list includes
- Marineland 300 gallon DD with Starphire front (72L x 36D x 27H)
- Aquailluminations LEDs - 6 units
- Vertex Alpha 300 skimmer
- Apex Controller including VDM module to drive AI fixtures
- BRS 150 gpd RODI system
- NextReef reactors with ROX Carbon and Biopellets
- Reeflo Super Dart Gold return pump
- Two Vortech MP 60s for flow
- 250#s of BRS Eco Rock ... 150# of pukani, 50# of shelf, 50# of Tonga
- Genisis Reef Systems ATO & Water Change System
- I still need to figure out where I am getting sump

Here is the area of the basement where tank (outlined in blue tape) and fish room will go

 

[yoccm]

Let me try that again without the thumbnail ... still learning how to post pics :spin2:

That's better!!!

The fish room will be about 13 ft wide and about 8 ft deep with the tank taking 3ft of the depth. I think the 13 x 5 space will give me plenty of room to work. I am having a laundry tub installed in the back corner.

Basement construction starts later this week.

 

[Powederblue]

this is going to be great cant wait to see it done

 

[yoccm]

Here's the BRS Eco rock I got earlier this week

This is great stuff out of 250 #s of rock I only had this much rubble

Ths packing was amazing and BRS was great to deal with - they called me twice to ask questions about the order to make sure they picked out the rock I wanted. I had it 3 days after ordering and saved about 15% by getting in a group buy.

 

[yoccm]

this is going to be great cant wait to see it done

Thanks - I am really getting excited. I have been planning and scheming about this for over a year now. Can't believe it is actually starting to take shape. This will be a slow build because I am deteermined to take my time and try to get it right.

 

[Powederblue]

really like the large tonga branch rock

 

[yoccm]

Stacked this impromptu aquascape in about 30 seconds - this stuff stacks great. I plan to cook it for at least 8 - 12 weeks and I have acrylic sheets, 3/8" nylon rod and epoxy on hand to tie the aquascape together as solid as possible.

I want to go with a rather minimalist aquascape with the "bonsai" look

What do you think?

 

[yoccm]

really like the large tonga branch rock

Yeah - it is awesome! I specifically asked for one large piece, my plan was to have it as a free standing piece but once I started playing with the shelf rock I think I am going to stack them together.

the Tonga is alot heavier and dense than the shelf. the pukani is amazingly light and pourous!

 

[cubsare1]

I like your bonsai look you have. I will be following this thread for sure

 

[yoccm]

I like your bonsai look you have. I will be following this thread for sure

Thanks. In hind sight I wish I would have gotten more of the Tonga branch. I played around a bit with the pukani but it just wasn't working for me like the Tonga and shelf combo. I will keep playing with it and I do think once I can start fixing rocks together with the nylon rod it will help me get that organic looking stacked and branching look.

 

[yoccm]

A few more shots of possible aquascape

The left side needs more work. I would plan to have more of the shelf rock coming of it at different angles but can't simulate that without securing it all together.

Have to thank my 17 year old son who did alot of this before I got home from work. I see a future reefer in my midst!!!

 

[yoccm]

I have spent alot of time trying to decide on lighting for the tank.

I narrowed it down to either 2 ATI Powermodules - each a 60" 6bulb 80W fixture or LEDs from Aquailluminations.

I am leaning heavily towards the LEDS but decided I need 6 of them to get adequate coverage - here is my amateurish attempt at sketching what it would look like

I am still trying to rationalize the cost of the LEDs which will be over $3200. I can get 2 factory second ATI units for $1500 including bulbs.

I really like the shimmer of the LEDs and the dimming control of surise, sunset and lunar cycle. I figure I will spend roughly $300/yr in bulbs for the ATIs and will use more electricity on the ATIs.

Still ..... it is ALOT of $$$$$

 

[yoccm]

LFS called today - tank is being delivered on Friday. Now if I could just the contractor to get started on the basement!:sad2:

 

[prop-frags]

Tagging along... :fish2:

 

[yoccm]

Tagging along... :fish2:

Hey Mike - thanks for joining in. I have been following your build for awhile now and have gained alot of knowledge from it. I give you a lot of credit for sticking it out through a tough experience with your first tank and was so glad to see you back in business!! I'm looking forward to seeing the new tank take shape and appreciate you doing the same with me!!

Thanks, Chris

 

[yoccm]

Contractors start tomorrow. The framers are going to build the stand into the framing of the wall ... hopefully done by end of next week and the tank is being delivered this Friday. Coming together but going to be a slow go before I can finally get water in it.

 

[JagerEinheit]

fwiw i would look at the leds.... the way you drew it is causing an "assumed" higher amount of light on the glass you may look to use 20 deg optics on the edges to cut down your glass scraping maintenance chores. also I have read and seen several of the aqua illumination competitors boxes of similar size be used in a 24"x24" area just fine singly. if you are looking for more light to account for them being less then 400wmh then that makes sense as well.. but you should call AI and talk to them... you may be pleasantly surprised.

the name of the other company that i have seen/ heard of being used in a 24x24 is "evolution led"

they offer the 1g which is this unit (picture taken off my local board, not mine)

 

[launchnukes]

Looks like your off to a good start. I'll be tagging along to keep an eye on a fellow 300dd owner.

 

[cubsare1]

Will be ordering my 300d.d. today, lighting it will be the challenge. Have you looked into the ecoxotic cannons? Not sure how they penetrate compared to A.I.'s The 100w cannons are said to light a 24x36" section, $500 a piece

 

[Spirofucci]

Nice!! Gotta love those 300dd's!! As you said, take your time and have fun, especially with the rock scaping, there are so many great examples out there. Looks like another great build.

mark