I have been active in the hobby since 2008... well, something like that. Like many of you, I have owned freshwater tanks since I was very young... my first being about 33-34 years ago. I even kept saltwater fish, crabs, starfish, and other oddities I could collect when I lived in San Diego, but I collected everything from the beach. That was the depth of my saltwater knowledge. In essence, I knew nothing and still learn new things everyday.
What I didn’t realize, until recently, is that I never actually purchased a new tank! That befuddled me because I’ve built so many reefs, reef equipment, and done many successful DIY projects. I always bought used. I just couldn’t justify a new aquarium due to the prices! I’ve changed my perspective because I’ve learned that when you buy used, you’re also buying the problems that come with it. Even previous owners could be oblivious to the problems a second owner could run into, but that’s a different topic in itself...
Heck, just a few months ago I bought a Marineland 250DD from a guy near San Antonio. I put so much time and money trying to get it up to “living room standards,” that it crippled my my drive to set it up. I hated looking at that unfinished project everyday, even though I’ve always loved those dimensions! I was torn... I was ready to just get rid of it and be happy with what I got. Until I realized that a new tank requires no fiddling with! I know that that seems obvious to many of you reading this (thanks for reading, by the way), but for me... it always seemed like a waste of money! Well... until now. I‘m at the point of no return! The tank is already being built and I’m pretty excited about It!
The tank will be 60” L x 36” W x 28.625” T. That’s where the 268 (actually 267.66g) comes in (OD, or outer dimension). The builder is Planet, and that’s what they’re calling it, so why not? It’s really more like 250 though. I’m nailing down an aluminum, t-slot stand because I can’t get a stand, built to the height I want, to fit through my house doors. The stand was pretty pricey too; but, a small price to pay for its modularity and ease of breaking down and setting up.
As far as other equipment, I don’t really know. I have a decent sump that I’ll use for now, as well as a big, used skimmer... I’m sure I’ll upgrade as I go. I do plan on using a calcium reactor, ozone, kalk reactor, and other items I already have too. The tank will remain bare bottom.
I will get pictures as I go. I’ll post up the diagrams that I’ve received so far, soon, too.
Thanks again for tagging along! I know this isn’t everyone’s favorite dimensions, but I’m hoping to make it as fun for you as it will be for me!
What I didn’t realize, until recently, is that I never actually purchased a new tank! That befuddled me because I’ve built so many reefs, reef equipment, and done many successful DIY projects. I always bought used. I just couldn’t justify a new aquarium due to the prices! I’ve changed my perspective because I’ve learned that when you buy used, you’re also buying the problems that come with it. Even previous owners could be oblivious to the problems a second owner could run into, but that’s a different topic in itself...
Heck, just a few months ago I bought a Marineland 250DD from a guy near San Antonio. I put so much time and money trying to get it up to “living room standards,” that it crippled my my drive to set it up. I hated looking at that unfinished project everyday, even though I’ve always loved those dimensions! I was torn... I was ready to just get rid of it and be happy with what I got. Until I realized that a new tank requires no fiddling with! I know that that seems obvious to many of you reading this (thanks for reading, by the way), but for me... it always seemed like a waste of money! Well... until now. I‘m at the point of no return! The tank is already being built and I’m pretty excited about It!
The tank will be 60” L x 36” W x 28.625” T. That’s where the 268 (actually 267.66g) comes in (OD, or outer dimension). The builder is Planet, and that’s what they’re calling it, so why not? It’s really more like 250 though. I’m nailing down an aluminum, t-slot stand because I can’t get a stand, built to the height I want, to fit through my house doors. The stand was pretty pricey too; but, a small price to pay for its modularity and ease of breaking down and setting up.
As far as other equipment, I don’t really know. I have a decent sump that I’ll use for now, as well as a big, used skimmer... I’m sure I’ll upgrade as I go. I do plan on using a calcium reactor, ozone, kalk reactor, and other items I already have too. The tank will remain bare bottom.
I will get pictures as I go. I’ll post up the diagrams that I’ve received so far, soon, too.
Thanks again for tagging along! I know this isn’t everyone’s favorite dimensions, but I’m hoping to make it as fun for you as it will be for me!