Jim's 300 Gallon Reef Build Thread-Landlocked so bringing the ocean to me!

jlnielsen13 · 12/16/2014, 10:49 AM

Hello CMAS,

Living in Illinois and loving coral reefs is a tough combo to swallow sometimes. Because of this, I have attempted to bring the ocean to me on a daily basis. Teaching Biology I discuss with my students all the time how our reefs might be gone by 2050 and how important it is to make sustainable choices when purchasing seafood or even choosing a coral to buy for your tank. Currently, I have a 140 gallon mixed reef seen below:

I really like this tank but as you can see I have run out of room!

I also have this tank set up currently:

As you can see in the picture it houses a really large queen angel and a large Sohal Tang. I feel bad for the fish as they need a bigger home (currently a 135) and the tank is constantly dirty. Because of this and my desire to have a larger reef tank I purchased this:

It is a 300 gallon, 8 foot long glass aquarium. Wow was this thing heavy, we had 6 guys attempt to pick this thing up and the best we could do was slide it on moving blankets! ( NO idea how I will eventually get this up on the stand.)

I started this build thread because I will be leaning on the community for a couple of questions as I slowly make the switch over from 135-300. Things like:

Plumbing the sump
reinforcing the floor
cabinetry/stand and canopy work/stain/water proofing come to mind.

Can't wait for the journey and appreciate all the help in advance- questions to come!

Thanks,

Jim

Vapour1ze · 12/16/2014, 11:23 AM

Subbed!

Let me know if you need any help, I am only a mile from you!

mrbnx · 12/16/2014, 11:26 AM

This is going to be sweet!! Thanks for sharing the journey

pinnatus · 12/16/2014, 11:29 AM

You will need to clean that tank out before filling it. There seems to be some strange animals already in there.

maazreef · 12/16/2014, 01:30 PM

Beautiful tank sir.

sk8elenex92 · 12/16/2014, 04:20 PM

Wow that 140 has to be one of my favs..

johnike · 12/17/2014, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinnatus

You will need to clean that tank out before filling it. There seems to be some strange animals already in there.

/shoves Ken back into the Lounge.

Nice new tank!

joesfiddy · 12/17/2014, 06:18 PM

Nice

jlnielsen13 · 12/18/2014, 09:43 AM

Hey guys,

So I don't have to double post I am going to post all build pics on the regular forum found here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...7#post23342247

If you feel like following along I just posted some stand pics.

Thanks,
JIM

12/16/2014, 10:49 AM	#1
jlnielsen13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 599	Jim's 300 Gallon Reef Build Thread-Landlocked so bringing the ocean to me! Hello CMAS, Living in Illinois and loving coral reefs is a tough combo to swallow sometimes. Because of this, I have attempted to bring the ocean to me on a daily basis. Teaching Biology I discuss with my students all the time how our reefs might be gone by 2050 and how important it is to make sustainable choices when purchasing seafood or even choosing a coral to buy for your tank. Currently, I have a 140 gallon mixed reef seen below: I really like this tank but as you can see I have run out of room! I also have this tank set up currently: As you can see in the picture it houses a really large queen angel and a large Sohal Tang. I feel bad for the fish as they need a bigger home (currently a 135) and the tank is constantly dirty. Because of this and my desire to have a larger reef tank I purchased this: It is a 300 gallon, 8 foot long glass aquarium. Wow was this thing heavy, we had 6 guys attempt to pick this thing up and the best we could do was slide it on moving blankets! ( NO idea how I will eventually get this up on the stand.) I started this build thread because I will be leaning on the community for a couple of questions as I slowly make the switch over from 135-300. Things like: Plumbing the sump reinforcing the floor cabinetry/stand and canopy work/stain/water proofing come to mind. Can't wait for the journey and appreciate all the help in advance- questions to come! Thanks, Jim

12/16/2014, 11:23 AM	#2
Vapour1ze I'm an Addict. Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Yorkville, IL Posts: 3,036	Subbed! Let me know if you need any help, I am only a mile from you! __________________ 93 Reef \| 220 Reef \| Basement Fish Life Support Room \| Empty Savings Account

12/16/2014, 11:29 AM	#4
pinnatus RIP Ludinano Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,572	You will need to clean that tank out before filling it. There seems to be some strange animals already in there. __________________ - Ken Current Tank Info: 240 gal Fish-Only, 13-gal w/ clowns

12/16/2014, 01:30 PM	#5
maazreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Glendale Heights Posts: 495	Beautiful tank sir. __________________ May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face.* And may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars.* Current Tank Info: Cubes

12/18/2014, 09:43 AM	#9
jlnielsen13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 599	Stand Hey guys, So I don't have to double post I am going to post all build pics on the regular forum found here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...7#post23342247 If you feel like following along I just posted some stand pics. Thanks, JIM

12/16/2014, 11:26 AM	#3
mrbnx Moved On Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 93	This is going to be sweet!! Thanks for sharing the journey

12/16/2014, 04:20 PM	#6
sk8elenex92 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 100	Wow that 140 has to be one of my favs..

12/17/2014, 06:18 PM	#8
joesfiddy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Morris IL Posts: 518	Nice