360 Gallon tank build It's here 6/14!

Aardvark1134

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Edit : It's here! See page 2 for some picks of where I am playing with the rockwork design

This won't go far until they build it and get it to me. 8-10 weeks.
But I am getting an 96Lx36Wx24T acrylic tank upgraded to 3/4 inch, maple stand (aluminum frame), maple canopy, and 72Lx18W sump. Right now I am in the middle of getting everything ordered. Will get some pics up when stuff starts arriving. Will be using life rock for the rock work. Custom build is being done by Tsunami (fishtanksdirect). I am finalizing some details and ordering next week. This will be a fish with softie and lps only. I don't plan on any SPS at this time.

Comments and recommendations are welcome as this gets going, but please don't bring the glass vs acrylic argument here. Each has their purpose and I went acrylic.

This is going to be a bare bottom with life rock so I expect this to be an interesting cycle. I will have 5.3 gallons of bio media in one of the sump areas (seachem pond matrix) to help with the lack of sand.
 
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Zach B

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Sounds awesome! Following along :)
 
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Aardvark1134

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The rock scape parts I am starting with are:
Mega Cave (16 inch) Product # 00398 x2
CARIBSEA LIFEROCK CAVE 3 PACK x2
LifeRock Reef Tree - Dry Live Rock Aquascape Kit - Caribsea
LifeRock Reef Tree - Dry Live Rock Aquascape Kit - Caribsea
LifeRock Reef Tree - Dry Live Rock Aquascape Kit - Caribsea
LifeRock Reef Tree - Dry Live Rock Aquascape Kit - Caribsea
Life rock 4 spare arches

I will be building this on the floor while I wait on the tank and if needed I might order more but I estimate this should be about right. I updated the list with the replacements they were nice enough to send. I will have plenty now.
 
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Aardvark1134

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Floor supports:
A 4ft section of each floor joist has been doubled, the front has a 4x6 8ft beam with 3 jack posts, and the back has a 4x6 8ft beam with 3 jack posts. This should keep it in place and level.

2 dedicated 20 amp circuits are in place. This should provide plenty of clean unshared power.

Generator: Yes

Skimmer: Eshopps Axium x350 skimmer

Return pumps: 3x Current USA eFlux 3170

Additional flow: Maxspect Gyre 350 x4 with extra reinforcement magnet for each

Bulk Heads Schedule 80: 4x1.5 inch drains (full bean with a 2nd full drain) 3x1 inch returns with Accel Wide Vortex Twist random flow on the end of each

Sump 72Lx18W with 4x7inch filter cups, refugium section, protein skimmer section, and return section

ATO: Tunze osmolator 3155

UV: Lifeguard promax 120W

Salt: Liveaquaria x5 large box to get started

Heat: 2x 300W Jager with Ink Bird temp controller

Fuge light: Kessil 360x refugium version

Main lighting: 6x Orphek 48 inch OR3 UV version (it's more of a purple/violet) and 6x Orbit Marine 48" IC LOOP PRO blue tooth (no sps planned)
Together these give a spectrum range of 410, 420, 430, 445, 460, 6.5K, and 8K.

It also gives 3 full end to end of each type, allowing for 1 full end to end of each type over each ft of tank width as tank is 8ftX3ft. Should provide very even non-shadow coverage.
 
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Aardvark1134

Aardvark1134

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Tank was officially ordered today all that is left is for them to send me the final drawings for approval and then the 8-10 week wait. I can collect everything else while I am waiting.
 
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Aardvark1134

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While we wait on stuff to get here I can put up my stocking list. Comments are welcome just understand I know the angels in the list, while being some of the safer ones, are going to limit my coral choices some what. I plan on stocking with the corals they don't call dinner...hopefully they don't call euphyllia dinner

Snow Onyx x2
Black and white Ocellaris x2
Yellow Wrasse x2
cleaner blue neon goby x2
Royal Gramma Basslet x1
Regal Angel Red sea version or Maldives x1
GoldFlake angel x1
Flame angel christmas islands 1m3f
Blue tang x2
Desjardini Sailfin Tang x1
Bellus Angelfish 1m2f
 
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Aardvark1134

Aardvark1134

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Got my drawings today.
Mark Chisholm Aquarium.jpg
Mark Chisholm Overflow Details.jpg
 
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Aardvark1134

Aardvark1134

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So my mega cave arrived broken in half. I think the fish will still like it. To give idea of how big it is the plywood its sitting on is 2ft x 2ft
 

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Aardvark1134

Aardvark1134

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Pics of the 3 normal caves
caribsea really needs to rethink how they pack these. I got these from a different place than the mega cave and 2 of the 3 in this one had a piece broken off too. Love the look but wish you could get them in 1 piece.

IMG_4872.jpg IMG_4873.jpg IMG_4874.jpg IMG_4875.jpg
 
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AJsReef

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Looking good, couldn't agree more on the liferock... Although the packaging has gotten better over the years it still leaves much to be desired
 

SoCalVictor

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I'm interested in a 8' tank from FishTankDirect as well. What was your thoughts in upgrading to the 0.75" thickness vs their standard 0.5"? I'm more concerned about the weight since I have to bring the tank down one flight of stairs.

Also, did you also look at their 96"x48"x24"? Very tempting to get the extra 12" depth considering the price diff was not too much.
 
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Aardvark1134

Aardvark1134

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I had a 120 4x2x2 for a dozen years out of 1/2 and its still good. I upgraded to 3/4 just to reduce bowing on the 8 ft sides but I didn't want mixed sides so I made them all 3/4. No other reason they do a good job and would not build one too thin. I would recommend you go either 30 or 36 wide as there is almost no price difference and you get way more tank and much better rockwork options.
 

Pntbll687

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Petco was having their mega sale again so I picked up a 20H with lid for my ato for dirt cheap.
Not gonna lie, this seems like an small ato for a system this size. Will you have sensors on our and have the ro auto refill the tank?
 
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Aardvark1134

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If it were topless I would agree. But since its acrylic with poly carbonite lids the only places for evaporation are the overflow box and the sump. If I need to I have enough room I could put in a 40G long for the ATO. But since only the sump will have evaporation I expect the 20 to be enough. I will know about a week after I get it up and running lol. If you end up right then there is a 40G long in my future.
 
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