200 gallon Marineland DD Reef Tank

[Krothers]

I'm in the planning stages of a new build and am looking for a little advise. I've always had Oceanic tanks in the past but since they do not make large reef tanks anymore I turn to you fine folks at Reef Central. the space I am building the new tank is perfect for a 48x36 tank which conveniently enough Marineland makes in their 200 reef ready setup. My question is whats the quality like on the Marineland tanks? Also if they are OK who can i go to for the best deal? Any help would be great. thx.

[davidfrances]

I have two (2) of the 250 gal DD tanks, and bought the factory stand and canopies. My build thread is in the Large Tanks Forum. I think they're fabulous, but you need looong arms to reach all the way to the back.

[tr1gger]

Don't know about you but I have a hankering for some double mint gum...

[Krothers]

NICE! going to check out the build. Where did you purchase them. i like the stnad and canopy too.

[davidfrances]

A local reef store ordered them from Marineland for me. They were $3,000 each, but I understand some folks on the forums bought the complete setup (tank, hood and stand) for a little less.

[Goss]

I think you might have algea and temp problems with the tank next to the window.

[davidfrances]

Originally Posted by Goss

I think you might have algea and temp problems with the tank next to the window.

Thank you for your comment.

Actually, I don't have algae or temperature problems. Believe it or not, the tank next to the window runs about 1 degree F cooler than the other tank. I also have a Green Carpet Anemone (Stichodactyla haddoni) that seems to love the natural sunlight, and this is the first time I've had any success with this animal.

You can see from this picture taken today, no algae problems, and my Carpet is happily tucked away on the side facing the outside window.

[Krothers]

thanks for the info. love the carpet. cool animal. had one in my last 125 that was host to a maroon clown.

[Michigan Mike]

Double the pleasure
Double the fun
Fill my eyes with that double vision

Nice tanks!

[lt.smash]

I know this is very old, but how is the tank on the left doing? I want to set mine up the same way, but im unsure of the results with the rocks resting on the sides

WAYY COOL

[origreefer]

Originally Posted by lt.smash

I know this is very old, but how is the tank on the left doing? I want to set mine up the same way, but im unsure of the results with the rocks resting on the sides

WAYY COOL

Why would you think that? For decades in this hobby the "back slopping wall" was the most common aquascape. As long as one has good circulation behind the rocks, there won't be any issues. I'm actually thinking to going back to this. Islands are nice but a lot or real estate is lost with the back of the island, why put something there if you cant see it.

[lt.smash]

I have read this obviously from others who don't know better

[maddmaxx]

Originally Posted by origreefer

Why would you think that? For decades in this hobby the "back slopping wall" was the most common aquascape. As long as one has good circulation behind the rocks, there won't be any issues. I'm actually thinking to going back to this. Islands are nice but a lot or real estate is lost with the back of the island, why put something there if you cant see it.

ive always done the "back slopping wall" and will always have this type of aquascape.

[davidfrances]

Originally Posted by lt.smash

I know this is very old, but how is the tank on the left doing? I want to set mine up the same way, but im unsure of the results with the rocks resting on the sides

WAYY COOL

Thanks, the tanks are doing well, and I will post some updated pictures tomorrow. (I am not feeling well today).

The left tank looks pretty awesome, IMHO. I ran into a problem over the summer with dinoflagellates in the right tank, and eventually tore it down and restarted it.

Will post pictures tomorrow.

[davidfrances]

Here are a few updated pictures. As I mentioned earlier, I had problems with dino's and nuked the right side tank in September. Got it cycled and running by mid-November, and coral growth is starting again.





Left side tank:



Right side tank:

[lt.smash]

wow.. Those are some of the best natural looking tanks i have ever seen.

Just curious, why 2 single 250 vs a mega 500?

[davidfrances]

When we designed our basement, we originally wanted one huge tank. My wife likes fish that do not play well with others, so we decided to have one tank dedicated to small reef fish and the other housing large Angels and wrasses

[Incaico]

I am starting to really like the look of the DD tanks.

[davidfrances]

Originally Posted by Incaico

I am starting to really like the look of the DD tanks.

After two (2) years of ownership, here's what I don't like about the DD's.

1. The stands need to be 6" higher, to give more clearance inside the stand for skimmers and reactors.
2. The black finish on the stand is starting to flake off in a few places.

My job will probably move me again in a couple of years, and I'll take the time to refinish both stands then.

That's it. I would buy them all over again. No regrets.

[rgulrich]

I really don't want to hijack/derail, but I'd like to chime in on the DD - I own a 300DD, originally designed and built the sump and filter system to fit under the aquarium - yep, it was a pain. Found a great skimmer that assembled in three pieces, each fitting -just- over the edge of the sump while it was in the stand. The sump had to be pushed in through one end of the stand, and I brought the aquarium out two feet from the wall because I dislike using a mask and snorkel to work in the back of the tank (and I'm not too coordinated with long tools sometimes). That said, it opened a whole new world of possibilities for reef design.
Luckily for me (I think), the sellers accepted our bid for a new house we'd been looking for the night I glued the plumbing in place - a year and a half ago. What the heck, that's what I have a Bosch for.
The new house afforded me the opportunity to plumb the aquarium down through the living room floor to the basement, and I haven't looked back since. I really like having the ability to not only work all the way around the aquarium, but also design and build a diagonal/median reef with lots of real estate for coral and swimming space for fish.
These aquariums really provide a depth that is entrancing to view.


One end view.


I would definitely buy one again - agree 100% with davidfrances. Great chunk of glass.

@davidfrances - How do you like your Photons? Can they easily support clams on the bottom of these DD's?

Cheers,
Ray

[azjohnny]

I glued the plumbing in place - a year and a half ago. What the heck, that's what I have a Bosch for.

That why when I plumb a tank I use a liberal amount of unions ( about every 2 ft) it makes disassembling a snap. It works really for preventive maintenance