Pauls new 300 gallon

[Paulairduck]

I finally was able to get the 300, I have always wanted. It was crazy how heavy this thing was, but it made it home and in one piece

The dimensions are:

96L X 30W X 24 H

Some equipment I already have:

BK 250 Internal
90 gallon sump
Geo Calcium Reactor 818
4 Tunze 6100's and 4 Nano modded 6025's for the flow

I am thinking a Red Dragon pump for the return

If anybody has suggestions for the lighting tell me.

I am thinking 3 400 watt galaxy ballast, 3 Large Lumenbright Stealth Refelectors and either coralvue reeflux 12 or the new aquamaxx bulbs 14K

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank002-1.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank004.jpg

[GSMguy]

First,



Nice looking Tank, should be fun to aquascape, i would do something like Sunnyx or Reefbum but with 3 islands instead of 2.

Subscribed.


Do you want a ready made fixture or DIY in a canopy?


either way id go for 400W SE bulbs on M-80 ballasts like the bluewave and at least 3 banks of t5 on either side.

[K5reefer]

i got the same tank! your gonna love it i did 3 islands and built table tops to connect them. i went 3 400watt galaxy 10ks xm with lumenarcs

[AquaBison]

Can't wait to see this come together. Might wanna get something around 2000g when the kids get a little bigger. xD

[Zplay]

Damn Paul that's huge!! You're going to need a lot more corals for that tank!!:D Did Spikey carry his weight when you picked-up the tank.... LOL

[~sp0ok~]

wow

[Paulairduck]

If I ever get the chance to get a 2000, It will be after I win the Lotto.

I am going to get all the wood on Monday and start building the stand.

The more I look @ this tank the more I like the options I have.

My fish are going to be very happy


Spikey is already giving me lots of feedback on how he want's my tank to look:D :D :D

[Paulairduck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13929090#post13929090 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zplay
Damn Paul that's huge!! You're going to need a lot more corals for that tank!!:D Did Spikey carry his weight when you picked-up the tank.... LOL

I am still waiting to come over and see your new Tank:eek2: :eek1:

[strayvoltage]

Nice looking tank. What brand is it? I am going to follow this one. I pick up my new 300 tomorrow, 96x30x25 starphire front with two back overflow's.

[porthios]

you're stoked. tagging along..

[FishyBiz]

AWSOME size Paul, and great dims.
If I could offer up my 2 cents.... Im currently running 400w bulbs on my tank thats 30" tall and I think its unnecessary. I wish I had gone with 250w.
Anyhow, if you need any help with anything like moving the tank im game. ;)

[Paulairduck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13932970#post13932970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FishyBiz
AWSOME size Paul, and great dims.
If I could offer up my 2 cents.... Im currently running 400w bulbs on my tank thats 30" tall and I think its unnecessary. I wish I had gone with 250w.
Anyhow, if you need any help with anything like moving the tank im game. ;)

Thanks, me and my brother had to haul this thing through a door all alone, no room for our helpers, you want to talk about stress, especially when my hands started sweating:eek2: :eek1:

[Paulairduck]

Getting the supplies to build the stand tomorrow

Hopefully we can put spikey to work:smokin:

[Zplay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13931552#post13931552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paulairduck
I am still waiting to come over and see your new Tank:eek2: :eek1:

Sure, you can come over anytime. LMK.
Keep Spikey off the beer while doing the stand or you'll be sorry! LOL :D jk

[Lagger]

Sweet tank Paul!

Tunze's on wavyseas/seaswirls FTW! :D

[edwinn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13944072#post13944072 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paulairduck
Getting the supplies to build the stand tomorrow

Hopefully we can put spikey to work:smokin:

SPIKEY is sleeping tired from work SORRY>>>>>::sleep: :sleep: :sleep:

[jtrasap]

Can't wait to see this thing get underway...8-)

[Paulairduck]

Now that the rain has stopped, tomorrow is build the stand day.

:D :D :D

[Paulairduck]

well we got the wood. let the construction BEGIN!!!


http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank012.jpg

my little helper

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank011.jpg

I finished the legs of the stand, I had to make the legs longer in the back to accomadate for the slope in the garage

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank014.jpg

[Paulairduck]

some more, a BIG thanks to MR EDWINN for all his HELP!!!

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank016.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank018.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank022.jpg

[Paulairduck]

a little more

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank024.jpg

Ready to rob a bank with a drill motor

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank026.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank025.jpg

[Paulairduck]

and the grand finally

the stand is finished, going to paint it white tomorrow

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/anewtank029.jpg

[mflamb]

That looks strong enough!

[Paulairduck]

why does it have to rain again:mad:

[Paulairduck]

Too much work and no time for the aquarium

did get the Large lumenbright pendant to see if I like it:smokin:

[TandN]

looks nice I have a RD 8.2 return for about 4 years now and it kicks a$$ So silent that when I first got it and plugged it in I was ****ed, I thought it didnt work. Low and behold it was on lol

[marcus.breaux]

awesome

[Paulairduck]

UPDATE

I got the three large lumenbright reflectors
1 dual Galaxy 250 watt
1 single Galaxy 250 watt
3 Radium Bulbs

The stand is now painted and ready for set up!!

Made a trip to So Cal Tropical and scored a BK 400 Deluxe (Internal) skimmer

have to make a deal on on the Red Dragon return pump, hopefully Tom is up for another Trade.

I will post pics of all the new Goodies tomorrow!!!!!:eek1: :eek2:

[stunreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14102383#post14102383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paulairduck
Made a trip to So Cal Tropical and scored a BK 400 Deluxe (Internal) skimmer
NICE! :thumbsup:

Build is looking great so far, congrats on the new tank!

[Paulairduck]

here are the pics as promised not very good was in a hurry gotta to go to worka nd pay for this stuff!!!

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/newstandandskimmer044.jpg

The body of the skimmer is almost 17 inches HUGE:eek1: :eek2:

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/newstandandskimmer046.jpg

and the rest of the stuff, hopefully move the tank in place this weekend.:bum:

[edwinn]

dude...that skimmer wayyyyyyyyyyy small for your tank ,in my tank maybe that is enought.............................lol nice

[Paulairduck]

it's about as big as a 24 gallon nano

I am gonna throw some chromis in there

[Zplay]

That skimmers a beast!!!:eek1:
Gotta check it out in action.....:D

[Paulairduck]

I think I'm going to get a box of Bud heavy's and watch the skimmer GO!!!

you and spikey are invited :beer:

Thanks again to Tom @ Socaltropicalfish

[Paulairduck]

tomorrow is the day to set the tank in place

picked up a RKE to control the new tank

ordered the plumbing, will be here next week

lots of pics to come

[Paulairduck]

The tank is now set in place

Had to order a custom sump for the skimmer:mad:

was able to get a good deal on a RKE to control this Bad Boy

this build is slow motion

hopefully get time to post some pics :D

[Paulairduck]

well I got the electrical box to house the new RKE today, I will have to take it all apart and paint it white

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/newstandandskimmer073.jpg

I wanted to keep this thing away from the moisture, My RKII had lots of issues with that problem

[Paulairduck]

here is my live rock curing station scored about 300 lbs

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/newstandandskimmer066.jpg

the dursos I made today 2 inch bulkheads reduced to 1 1/2

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/newstandandskimmer065.jpg

[Paulairduck]

The sump is going to done this week, than I can finish the plumbing and get the tank filled with water and checked for leaks

still debating on the return pump seriously thinking the Red Dragon II 170 watt return pump, would love to be able to raise and lower the flow to the tank.:confused:

[Bax]

Nice build!

I just picked up a 96 x 30 x 30 I'll keeping track and taking notes. Love that skimmer it is sweet! Wish I could swing a BK, but, I'll using and old school dual beckett for now.

Keep it up!

[Jruberti]

thats going to be amazing

[Carlos Arouche]

Very nice tank !!

good look from Brazil !!!

[Carlos Arouche]

Very nice tank !!

good look from Brazil !!!

[Oldude]

Should be great. Love the skimmer. Just one concern about the stand? Are you planning to sheet it so there will be no way it can develop any side to side leaning?

[Paulairduck]

One side is sheeted for side movemnt and I will install another sheet for side movement once I get my sump and decide how the plumbing is going to go.:D

[MIKE HUNT]

looks good, where did you buy the tank at? I was thinking of getting the same dim tank from GC.

[Paulairduck]

I got it used from a LFS, very special price:D

[Kaiden]

Memories! It's amazing how much our little ones want to help when they are young.

Great job on the tank! Can't wait to see this one up, tagging along...

[JohnnyBassMan]

Can't wait to see more.

[Jhardain]

Good progress so far, can't wait to see pictures of the next steps!

[Jhardain]

Good progress so far, can't wait to see pictures of the next steps!

[Paulairduck]

I picked the sump up today from So Cal Tropical, needed something custom to fit the BK 400 in

Dimensions: 48 L X 22W X 17H, only had 23 inches to work with under the stand:(

will take pics:D

[Paulairduck]

Well Tom @ so cal tropical hooked me up again, here are pics with the skimmer in the sump, it fits and I will plumb this thing in tomorrow:)


http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/bubblekingandsump001.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/bubblekingandsump002.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/bubblekingandsump003.jpg

[Paulairduck]

well i got the tank plumbed and started working on the light holder

tell me what you guys think, I made just one prototype

I like it so far

what I reall like is I can move the lights from side to side for maintenance, they swivel from the back

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/lights001.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/lights002.jpg

[Kaiden]

Paul,

How much air are you getting from the the Red Dragon on your BK?

[Paulairduck]

have not even checked, I also do not have an air meter big enough

it is got to be over 100scfh

[jwilliams860]

Hey Paul,

The LumenBrights may be to close to your water surface to get a decent spread from them, I have the same reflectors over my 120, they are 16" off the waters surface, and that tank is only 24" wide, I also have a 300 and when i merge the two together im going to have to rebuild my canopy to allow for the extra heighth

[Paulairduck]

please don't tell me that:), they are 8 from the water, I am limited on the height to where I have the tank, if these don't work and I get the shadowing, I will be switching to the lrg lumenarc old school reflectors.

thanks

Paul

[jwilliams860]

well I dont want to say for sure, but the standard for the lumen brights is in the 14-16" range from the water surface, my 300 is the same dimensions as yours, I dont have them mounted on it yet but they are on my 120, these reflectors are great but kind of give you the spotlight effect, and that close to the water I think it will be more noticable, since you have the galaxy ballasts, you might could try the lumen max elite reflectors, I like both styles personally.

[jwilliams860]

well I dont want to say for sure, but the standard for the lumen brights is in the 14-16" range from the water surface, my 300 is the same dimensions as yours, I dont have them mounted on it yet but they are on my 120, these reflectors are great but kind of give you the spotlight effect, and that close to the water I think it will be more noticable, since you have the galaxy ballasts, you might could try the lumen max elite reflectors, I like both styles personally.

[Paulairduck]

if these dont work out they wont last long, I will be trying different pendants

[JOSE CASAS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14413535#post14413535 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paulairduck
please don't tell me that:), they are 8 from the water, I am limited on the height to where I have the tank, if these don't work and I get the shadowing, I will be switching to the lrg lumenarc old school reflectors.

thanks

Paul Nice updates Paul! The LB 8'' from the water is too much light. I would sell them and get the large LA or LM which will work better for ur application and hieght restrictions. HTH!:)

[Brandon1652]

My Lumenbrights ( I love them ) are about 13" from bulb to water and I have almost imperceptable spotlighting.

[Paulairduck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14434433#post14434433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JOSE CASAS
Nice updates Paul! The LB 8'' from the water is too much light. I would sell them and get the large LA or LM which will work better for ur application and hieght restrictions. HTH!:)

Jose you want to buy them:D I just got them, going to give them a try, if not I will be on the hunt for some large stealth lumenarc's

I alos picked up two 400 watt ballast with two helios bulbs, Thanks fishybiz.

I bring home the lights and my 4 year get a hold of one of the bulbs and drops it on the ground, sick feeling in your stomach, but that is when you find out how much you love your kids.

"I AM SORRY DADDY":mad2: :eek2: :eek1: :D

[Paulairduck]

here is the heart of the system broke down today and got the final piece of the system

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/reddragonpumps003.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/reddragonpumps002.jpg

return pump is the 8.2 and the 2500 is to power the BK 400

[Paulairduck]

took some pics of the sump and got most of the plumbing done

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/reddragonpumps005.jpg

installed the rack for the osmo and the probe holder for the RKE probes

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/reddragonpumps006.jpg

[blueroof]

Are you going to skin the stand with plywood? I would get some lateral support on that stand. If it got a few centimeters out of vertical it could collapse to the sides. Get project

[Paulairduck]

the stand is going to be skinned on both sides with 1/2 plywood to eliminate side movement,

I am going to have custom panels made to match the cabinetry in the garage

[Reefer08]

Paul whats side movement?? Everything is going great so far!!

[Paulairduck]

the way I built the stand there is a little side movement due to the mass and height of the tank, A couple small sheets of plywood will stabilize the legs no problem

[anne08]

very nice tank, can't wait to see that BK monster running.

[Reefer08]

oh ok now i understand what you mean. How many front doors do you plan on having? 4? Did you fill up the tank with more sand?

[Paulairduck]

No doors, removeable panels to match the cabinetry in my garage
Plus my kids like to open doors and throw stuff in the sump

I am making this kid proof:D

[rng_pw]

I am trying to figure out which reflectors I want to put on my tank. You mentioned something about a spotlight affect. Could you post some pics of how they look over your tank? Thanks alot. The tank look like it is coming along great by the way.

[jwilliams860]

The spotlight effect, is just from the overall design and shape of the Lumenbrights. You just get a spotlight effect, like if you take a flashlight and shine it on the wall, you get a real strong center area of light and then it gradually fadss to the edges.So directly under the light its very strong.Some other reflectors have a more spread out light pattern, it really depends on how wide your tank is, as far as which ones would work best,unless you also have some kind of supplemental lighting, VHO's, T5's.

[Paulairduck]

the tank is not running but I do have one running over my frag tank, I will take a pic

[reedrodz]

Looking good paul..cant wait to see your aquascaping..what do you plan for water movement?

[Paulairduck]

I just started filling it with water, and got some of the aquascape done.

Pics when I finish:)

for water flow I have 2000gph, on the return with four outlets on the top of the tank. Then I have two Tunze6200's and two 6100's in the back and the side

I am cuurently working a deal for two vortechs with the battery, if that goes through the Tunze's will have to go!

[reedrodz]

Very Nice.. Do you plan to add more power head in the future?

[Paulairduck]

it all depends on the aquascape

after everything is done, I think 6 vortechs would be ideal for the all SPS tank I am going for:D

[Bax]

Six Vortechs .... Yum!

Now that's push'n some water!

[reedrodz]

LOL I bet that will do.

[Paulairduck]

the sticks love the flow

I just checked the level in the tank 4 inches of water, SLOW MOTION form the ro/di:p

[Paulairduck]

started the rockwork today, the wife and I got two pillars done tell me what you think

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/050.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/052.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/054.jpg

[Paulairduck]

More PIcks

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/055.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/056.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/057.jpg

[Paulairduck]

and last but not least

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/058.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/059.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/061.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/062.jpg

[jms65gal]

awesome!!!

[Paulairduck]

I put them in the tank today they look great

[sixspeed]

those are some big rocks! looks like you got volcano's coming out of your driveway.

[~sp0ok~]

looking good

[Paulairduck]

well most of the rockwork is done, the tank is filled with water and the BK 400 and the Red Dragon is pumping away. I ran both on my watt meter 160 watts total, incredible, I am super happy.

some pics are in the works

:D

[Paulairduck]

I got the lighting fired up, into my third week of the cycle, fish and corals going in next week:D

[TRITON1]

Those are some big pieces of live rock. Where did you get them from? Lets see some pics of the aquascape :D !

[Jflip2002]

Nice rockwork, I like it. I especially like how nice and open that tank is going to look, assuming you leave how it is on the cardboard.

[Paulairduck]

I am going to leave it open, I am going to run a low reef in the middle, to give it some depth, easier for flow in the tank.

I also just purchased 4 vortechs with the battery back up, these thing rock, nice wide flow pattern:D

[SunnyX]

Great build so far. :thumbsup:

Any recent FTS pictures?

[jwilliams860]

Hey Paul,

Thinking of restacking the rock in my 300 and might try to attach some of the rock together, did you use PVC to insert into them?

[RevHtree]

Great build! I am along for the ride!

[Paulairduck]

I took some pics of the BK 400 in action

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/bk400003.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/bk400001.jpg

[Paulairduck]

I forgot Pics of the skimmate!!

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/bk400002.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/bk400004.jpg

[buddie]

what do you have the BK skimming in the pict? looks like it is working good so far

[Paulairduck]

I cant get pics until I get my frag tank out of the way. The tank currently only has rocks and some snails, not very interesting SORRY. the tank transfer is still a week away.

[Paulairduck]

tank is going through a nice algae bloom, lots of water changes, this slows things down for me:mad2:

[Paulairduck]

Full Frontal XXX aquarium shot FINAAAAAAALLLLLYYYYYY!!!!

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/300gallonaquarium002.jpg

my fish that got ICH from the move, lots of garlic and vitamin filled NORI!!!

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/300gallonaquarium007.jpg

[Paulairduck]

for all the equipment junkies

BK 400 and the 818 GEO, I am very happy with both!!!

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/300gallonaquarium003.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/300gallonaquarium004.jpg

[Jflip2002]

That looks awesome, Paul. I have a problem with those tangs in that tank, though...
















They look lonely, and you need many more ;)

[Paulairduck]

Update on the progress, still have the 125 with the Achilles and black clowns, main tank is going through a ICH breakout, very sad.

need to skin the stand with all black cabinetry to match the garage cabinets, but at least I was able to get the gargae cleaned out to take a semi OK FTS.

[Hogfish77]

Wow amazing FTS! Good luck with the ich fight!

[Paulairduck]

anybody have any suggestions for the ICH, I have a UV running fulltime, and feeding garlic and vitamin filled nori:D, its only on the tangs!!!

[New Jer-Z]

Great Looking Tank!

[brandon2432]

nice tank

[Paulairduck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14811740#post14811740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paulairduck
anybody have any suggestions for the ICH, I have a UV running fulltime, and feeding garlic and vitamin filled nori:D, its only on the tangs!!!

anybody have IDEAS??:confused:

[nanoreefbro]

Looks good Paul.. I would keep on running the UV and feed the nori with garlic.. I also heard the spectrum pellets are good too... I just started using them...

[strayvoltage]

I recently added a new fish that ended up with ICH, then a bunch of the other fish had it. I had never had a problem with it before now. I added a cleaner wrasse and in only a few days it has cleaned all the fish along with the help of the cleaner shrimp. I hope I don't end up with a big out break

[Paulairduck]

I added a cleaner shrimp and feeding heavily with nori garlic and selcon, it helps to have the BK 400, no worries about underskimming

my blue tang has no more spots

[Paulairduck]

well only the strong survive, I lost some fish and the others look as if they are getting over the ICH outbreak, no new fish for a while, hopefully the worst is over with:D

[Paulairduck]

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/newtankpics027.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/newtankpics028.jpg

[Paulairduck]

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/newtankpics029.jpg

I am having my cabinet maker work on the front panels that will match the custom cabinets in the garage, almost done.

still not happy with the rockwork, and need to get rid of all the frags from the frag tank.

well only the strong survived, lost a lot of fish, you can see I have few left

:mad:

[Paulairduck]

I had to remove the sump to get the BK 400 out, any body need one???, too much skimmer for my bio-load, I see a new cone skimmer in my future, right now I have the 2 cylinder G-3 rockin the tank

[Paulairduck]

good examplke between the lumenbright's and the lumenarc's, much better light spread from the lumenarc's:)

[TandN]

you had the lumenbrights way too close to the tank they should be 16" above the water. Tank looks great BTW

[exoticaquatix]

awesome tank,man. sorry to hear about the fish. i have a move coming up (just like every other summer since 2004). i think ive got it down to science but those tangs are pains in the @$$.
good call switching to lumenarcs, you cant make the ceiling any higher! thats exactly why i went with them, my tank will be in a basement and the top of the tank is already 5 feet high. i might not have space to have the reflectors another 16" to get good spread.

-nick

[toddy boy]

looking great thanks for sharing

[BigTuna321]

looks like a big frag tank :D

[Hogfish77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14986811#post14986811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigTuna321
looks like a big frag tank :D
lol yeah...looked way better before. But can you give a list of which fish didn't make it? That blows. Sorry to hear that. Can't stand ich.:mad:

[Paulairduck]

added a 70 Elos tank to the system to bring it up 400 gallons

It was suppose to be for my LE chalices, but I had to throw somew SPS in there

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/ELOS70.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/Aquafrags/52209009.jpg

[Rickyrooz1]

Very nice build

[Blinding Reef]

very nice build Paul..any updates?