My first reef tank... is 300 gallons!

[FortuneFavours]

Originally Posted by stifrk

Lighting that deep of a tank will be an expensive challenge

Yep - I get the feeling that everything in this tank will be a challenge! But I'm happy to take my time to get things right. A couple of other people have also picked up on the potential lighting difficulty, have a look at posts #6, #11 and #34.

[FortuneFavours]

So I figured it might be useful to post links here to other threads I've started, which are all questions related to this build:

Should I use dry rock or live rock?

Can I seed dry rock using bacteria from my freshwater tank?

What type of wood should I use to build the cabinet?

What type of RO unit do I need?

[scubaprashant]

I just set up my 280g 40" deep tank today as well. Good luck!

[Stevenliu9]

Originally Posted by FortuneFavours

So I figured it might be useful to post links here to other threads I've started, which are all questions related to this build:

Should I use dry rock or live rock?

Can I seed dry rock using bacteria from my freshwater tank?

What type of wood should I use to build the cabinet?

What type of RO unit do I need?

I have used dry rock, you can find great deal at marcorock. The only thing is it takes a bit longer. I seeded my dryrock with liverocks already in my previous tank during the upgrade.
As far as wood, 2x4 from local lumber yard would do. Though most people would glue a few together to provide sturdier support. I would look up you tube there are lots of DIY tankstand tutorials.
As for RO, guess that can depend on your water source, the need for city water is much less than farm or well water as well water from farm can contain much higher phosphorus and sulphate. While city water will have other things like chlorine and possibly heavy metal (from rusty pipes) to worry. So choose carefully on 2 stage, 3stage, or 4 stage units. I would recommend you chat with other reefers in your community who share the same water source and have success with their tank to see what they use.

[Stevenliu9]

Originally Posted by scubaprashant

I just set up my 280g 40" deep tank today as well. Good luck!

Would love to see photos!

[FortuneFavours]

Originally Posted by Stevenliu9

I have used dry rock, you can find great deal at marcorock. The only thing is it takes a bit longer. I seeded my dryrock with liverocks already in my previous tank during the upgrade.
As far as wood, 2x4 from local lumber yard would do. Though most people would glue a few together to provide sturdier support. I would look up you tube there are lots of DIY tankstand tutorials.
As for RO, guess that can depend on your water source, the need for city water is much less than farm or well water as well water from farm can contain much higher phosphorus and sulphate. While city water will have other things like chlorine and possibly heavy metal (from rusty pipes) to worry. So choose carefully on 2 stage, 3stage, or 4 stage units. I would recommend you chat with other reefers in your community who share the same water source and have success with their tank to see what they use.

Hi Steven
Thanks for the suggestions. I had some good suggestions from other people on those threads too.
The tank already has a steel stand, I'm just looking to wrap it in something nice. I'm OK with making basic things out of wood, just not that au fait with the properties of the different types of wood. I'm going to avoid MDF as it really doesn't get on with water. Going for external WBP ply, with a veneer of some sort (still to be decided!).
I've identified a 100GPD 4-stage RO unit which I'll be ordering soon.

Originally Posted by Stevenliu9

Would love to see photos!

Me too!!!

[FortuneFavours]

Just posted a new thread with my ideas for the sump - would love to hear your suggestions!

[Teenreefer15]

thats a monster tank!

[FortuneFavours]

Originally Posted by nbyron74

thats a monster tank!

I just hope it doesn't give me nightmares!

[FortuneFavours]

By the way guys, if anyone can help with me with these questions about plumbing please do chip in (on that thread). Thank you.

[FortuneFavours]

Quick update:

All my PVC pipes/valves arrived earlier in the week, as did the base rock and RO unit.
Unfortunately I have limited time to work on the tank due to my day job, so it's all taking much longer than expected to put together.

The RO unit will be housed in the garden patio area (it's not too far from the tank), so tomorrow I'm building an insulated box for that and the 100L water butt it will be connected to. Will post pics when done.

During the week I will try and get the (Herbie) drain plumbing sorted and then make a start on the dry-scaping whilst I wait for all the other bits and pieces to arrive.

[FortuneFavours]

I started on the insulated boxes for the RO unit and water butt today, but had to give up when the weather turned (I wish I had a workshop/garage!). I'm basically building the boxes from panels like this:



which I'm filling with thick sheep's wool insulation:







I've never tried anything like this before, but I'm hoping these insulated panels will give me a well insulated box which will prevent the water/membranes from freezing.

I'll post some pics when it's all done.

[FortuneFavours]

So I think I've come up with an idea for an automatic water change system - I just need to know if it's a stupid idea or not!

All of your thoughts would be much appreciated, as always...

[BlindZide]

interesting idea on the auto water change.

[FortuneFavours]

Originally Posted by BlindZide

interesting idea on the auto water change.

I've just posted version 2... (more details on the full thread).

[Sapelo]

Bulk Reef Supply has some good info videos on RO units and their use.

And I have had very good success seeding dry rock, yes it's a little slower but 1. it's cheaper and 2. you know exactly what you're getting, no unintended hitchhikers!

[FortuneFavours]

Originally Posted by Sapelo

Bulk Reef Supply has some good info videos on RO units and their use.

And I have had very good success seeding dry rock, yes it's a little slower but 1. it's cheaper and 2. you know exactly what you're getting, no unintended hitchhikers!

RO unit is purchased now - just need to finish building the box for it.

The rock is here too; got a few things to do before I can start dry-scaping.

This is taking a lot longer than I expected, but I don't mind as I just want to do it all properly.

[FortuneFavours]

Originally Posted by FortuneFavours

I've just posted version 2... (more details on the full thread).

So version 3 looks like a possible winner!

[FortuneFavours]

Hi all

So I had to put the tank build on hold for a while, but am back at it now!

If you've followed the thread about my sump, you'll know that I started to build an overflow box for the drains but, because this is a used tank the bulkheads are in the wrong place for me, it looked pretty ugly and would've created all sorts of problems with trying to clean the glass:




So I went with the risky option of losing the overflow (God help me if the there's a leak near the bottom of one of the pipes!) and running them to the 'back' of the tank. Here's a pic (also showing the beginnings of my dry-scaping):




Unfortunately, fitting these pipes through the bulkheads was a major pain. They're supposed to be 32mm bulkheads, but 32mm PVC pipe (OD of 32mm) was a loose fit and 1" pipe (OD of about 34/35mm) was too big to even fit! So I went with the 32mm pipe and actually glued it into the bulkheads to get a tight fit and stop movement.

I then ran silicone around the joint, but missed one tiny bit from which there is a slow drip leak. I'm going to try and patch that leak, but I know that silicone doesn't stick too well to itself once dry, so I might have to redo the silicone seal for that drain. The other drain is perfectly water tight.

[FortuneFavours]

I've obviously also started the dry-scaping, using a PVC frame to get the shape I want and to help remove dead-spots.

Here's what I've managed to do so far:






There will be a 3" sand bed (I need it that deep to hide the bulkheads and horizontal runs of the drain pipes) so 3" of the rocks on the bottom layer will be hidden.

I'm about to climb back into the tank to patch the leak in the silicone around the drain and finish the dry-scaping; I will post pics when I'm done.

I've also ordered pretty much all the other little bits and pieces I need, so it's full steam ahead now.

By the way, has anyone used Seachem's Stability before? One of the suppliers I'm using recommended it and I've read some good reviews.

[FortuneFavours]

It doesn't look too different from the last pic I posted, but this side was missing quite a few bits of rock! You'll also have to imagine 3" of sand covering the horizontal run of the pipes and most of the bottom layer of rocks...

[danil]

It's an interesting build! I couldn't wait to see how you will be reaching the tank bottom . I would keep (your old one) or install new thin long overflow on left side. It helps to skim the surface of the tank and to some extend will protect fish from sucking in.

[Roger30]

Looks great!!

[whosurcaddie]

Its your tank and I'm not insulting you in any way but your scape looks like a pile of rocks. I'll take some heat for this statement if it saves you from future regret.I'm saying this because I'm 100% positive you will look back and hate yourself for setting it up this way.

[pyithar]

i agree with whosurcaddie for this matter. if it were me, i would use epoxy putty to make some arches, bridges and overhangs. that would be cool. just my .02.