250 CDA Rimless Acro Haven

FoD · Sep 13, 2022

First post in a long long time here. Just tore down my long-lived 250 gallon DD SPS tank. All inhabitants have been living in a 300 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank in my dining room. My wife is a trooper, and I am grateful!

Back in January, I ordered a custom rimless tank from Crystal Dynamic Aquariums, 80” x 30” x 24”. 3/4” starphire glass. Custom open metal stand from CDA as well.

Stats:

Display: 250 Gallon Rimless
Sump: Synergy Reef TS-60 (highly customized)
Fuge: 80 Gallon Rimless Display
Frag: (2) 35 Gallon Rimless Display

Display Lighting: Custom (by me) T5/Reefbrite Strip Fixture, with (4) Kessil A500X. Will document all pieces in a later thread. This is a monster! Fully incorporated and controllable. Weighs 48 pounds!

Fuge Lighting: (2) Kessil A360X

Frag Lighting: (3) Radion Gen5 XR15 for tank 1. 400w Radium with Reefbrite for tank 2.

Filtration: Filter Sock Mechanical, CerMedia blocks, Vertex 250 with Red Dragon pump.

Flow: (2) MP60QD, (2) MP40QD, Closed Loop powered by Red Dragon 230 with Motions Ocean diverter. Custom bracket made by NEAT AQUATICS. More on this later. Return pumps powered by (2) Red Dragon Speedy 3.

All rock is dry, and has been curing in separate container since January.

All accessory containers by Synergy and Royal Exclusiv.

Auto Water Change System, UV Sterilizer, and 6-port Dosing. Ozone might be incorporated.

Elements kept in check by custom Deltec CalRx controlled by CarbonDoser. Kalk will be dosed if required.

All plumbing will be display quality, and organized in my OCD fashion. Fully Controlled by Apex.

Pics will come after tank is setup. Progress is roughly 60% currently. Tiling this weekend, and hopefully moving stand into place to finish plumbing before moving the 700 pound display tank inside!

Stay tuned.

dwest · Sep 13, 2022

Sounds epic!

Betex · Sep 13, 2022

Looking forward to seeing this tank! I got my CDA about 3 months ago and this thing is built like a tank love it

FoD · Sep 14, 2022

Betex said:
Looking forward to seeing this tank! I got my CDA about 3 months ago and this thing is built like a tank love it

Yes! I too was impressed with the quality! I went with the largest rimless they would build/warranty at that width. 3/4” thick glass, armored seams, hybrid bottom, braced. External overflow, extremely low profile interior skimming side. Wish it was a touch shorter, as it impedes my MP60’s. This will be viewable from front pane and right side pane. Previous tank was front and right as well, but also back pane as I built it into the wall so I could view it from multiple rooms.

FoD · Sep 17, 2022

Tiling has begun today. Doing a herring bone pattern across 3 walls. This is terrible. Anyway, here’s a couple photos of parts awaiting tile completion.

FoD · Oct 14, 2022

Nothing to update as far as progress. I did set up an 80 gallon temp QT tank so I could take advantage of ReefPro’s great prices on a lot of prized wrasse! Tank is set up on my pool table due to lack of room…oh, and I’m married, so not many places that are available to me to stick a tank.

Steven Garland · Dec 12, 2022

This is going to be sweet and cannot wait. That tank is EPIC,sheesh.

FoD · Dec 26, 2022

Haven’t updated much since I started this thread. Honestly, not much progress. Life happens. I have completed the tiling and have the stand in place, although moved out for plumbing and cord management. Still need to drill the returns and get some equipment in place. Need to cut out the pass through and finish the two wall of closet that won’t be accessible after Refugium, QT and Frag Tanks are in place. But for now, I’ll leave you with a first run of closed loop and return plumbing.

VanDalsenReef · Dec 26, 2022

FoD said:
Haven’t updated much since I started this thread. Honestly, not much progress. Life happens. I have completed the tiling and have the stand in place, although moved out for plumbing and cord management. Still need to drill the returns and get some equipment in place. Need to cut out the pass through and finish the two wall of closet that won’t be accessible after Refugium, QT and Frag Tanks are in place. But for now, I’ll leave you with a first run of closed loop and return plumbing.

Fantastic tiling work

FoD · Dec 27, 2022

And another. Finished the pre-tank plumbing, minus one 90° (always 1!). Pay no attention to the mess in the background. Closet finish on Saturday, weather dependent, and then I can set all tanks in place and plumb to. Hoping display up and filled by the 15th!

Also have to do the controller/electrical rack, but need the fuge in place for clearances.

On a sad note, this past month was not good. Had a seam on my QT fail, and lost (3) fish. Bellae, Rhomboidalis, and Earlei. Have filed a claim, but doubtful of a response. The manufacturer is based in China. I had ordered a Deep Blue tank from my LFS, and was provided this Seapora tank after I was told they were bought out.

sawdonkey · Dec 31, 2022

This looks like a great build. What’s the purpose of having the end of the tank as well as the back drilled? What are you planning?

FoD · Dec 31, 2022

sawdonkey said:
This looks like a great build. What’s the purpose of having the end of the tank as well as the back drilled? What are you planning?

The end pane is overflow. The back pane is drilled for return and a closed loop for flow. Additional flow will come from Vortech MP60QD’s. Closed loop is powered by a Royal Exclusiv Red Dragon 230 High Pressure pump, through an Oceans Motion 4-way, with (6) Vivid Creative Aquatics Random Flow Generator’s.

FoD · Jan 16, 2023

Progress! Kind of. Got some additional plumbing done. Finally got my stand for the remote fuge/QT back from powder coating.

Set that up, moved the tank inside. Plumbed it. Getting closer. Thinking 2 weeks if all else goes well.

Did receive my ClearView Lid for the display. 3 pieces! Fit is perfect. I have ordered some grade 5 titanium knurled thumb screws to attach the pieces for stability and make pulls for the (2) feed doors.

Acrononomus · Feb 8, 2023

Nice! Looking forward to seeing the tank up there

FoD · Feb 14, 2023

Light is hung. Will do a full write up with pics later on. I am discussing skins with a few local manufacturers. I want 304 stainless, powder coated to match stand. Will update when plan is finalized.

I have been informed I must have the tank in place and wet by the first day of spring. My wife is less than happy having to park outside and have her car cold, and dirtied by the elements.

So, goal now is March 12th.

Gumbies R Us · Feb 15, 2023

One impressive-looking start to a tank, can't wait to see the progress of it!!

FoD · Feb 26, 2023

Got the electrical board mounted today. Finished all tiling, and trim. Ripping the fireplace out this week and framing up remainder of closet. Will rock/FRP room, and build inserts for storage into walls for space savings. Getting closer. Looking like April though as I have multiple vacations set for next month. I wonder if Acros will still be a “thing” once this gets wet.