Help me design a 300 gallon tank

[mike_dani]

My fellow REEF2REEF membeers, I have finally made a decision on a tank upgrade ( from a 110 tall) it will be as follows....

300 gallon deep 72x36x27 starfire front glass reef ready
75 gallon sump baffles made by me
ATB 8.5 skimmer
drews dosing pumps with BRS 2 part
Pump??? thinking two mag 12's
Vortex mp40w 2 for now will look into more later
Currently have 2 each 250 w MH will need one more and a icecap 660 running 4 T-5's
Reef keeper lite will upgrade to an elite
GFO will be plumbed in but only ran if needed
Carbon in filter unit plumbed in only ran if needed
I will be adding 100-200 pounds of live rock as needed
enough sand for a 2-3 inch sand bed
and some arm extensions for that good old 36 inch deep tank, I am still trying to figure out if it might be better to go 30 inch so help me out.......Do any of you have a 36 in deep take if so would you do it again?

what am I missing here other than a bunch of coral..

My idea for this one is two pillars one on each half of the tank located in the middle with plenty of frag placeable rock with ledges connecting the two all of it will be held together using either PVC or fiberglass rods. This will serve me in two ways first and foremost the fish will have plenty of room to swim and I will only really need the two MH's I have uver the pillars and the rest for LPS or lowlight corals.

Please review and give em some feedback I am only in the planning stages and hope to be ordering the tank 2nd week in Feb. Between now and then it will be vortexs and skimmer and mag 12 all of the piece parts, I will need to get a stand and canopy made......

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I almost have the same exact tank. If I were you do like I did and go with an external overflow. Yout tank will be clean on the inside! I would go with a Dart pump and 2 more vortechs. 2 will be ok for now but you will want more flow. My tank is 72"x34"x28.

 

[mike_dani]

how quiet are the dart pumps, this tank is in the living room and the wife will complain about any noise. I have one mag 12 on the 110 and she is ok with it.

Also I have HOB overflows and really want the reef ready only because I can set the tank against the wall or 1/2 away from the wall and I dont have to worry about my snails clogging them up like they do now with my CPR HOB overflow.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

No no no, the external overflows are reef ready except they are on the outside of the tank. It's whats cool man! LOL! Here are some pics of mine.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

 

[mike_dani]

man thats nice who built your tank

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Oceallc! Thanks man!

 

[AlexStinson]

if its an option I would do that as well, that is how my current 40b isOcea built that tank

 

[Murfman]

Mine is 30 deep and I have issues reaching the front bottom. I am 6'2" and have to use tongs or slide up on top of the tank to reach the front bottom. I have 400 watt MH on digital ballasts and have 185 at the bottom, with new bulbs.

I would go with a closed loop and Dart pumps. I have two Darts running one manifold and still don't have enough flow in the front of the tank. You can see my build here or on our club page.

You would hear the water movement over the sound of the Darts.

 

[Mr E Wrasse]

as far as the pumps you will definitely need more than 2 mag 12's.... The darts would be nice but might be a bit noisy, how about 2 mag 18's?? only an extra $15/pump i think. I run a Mag24 on my 150 with an Ocean Motions super squirt compact

 

[rng_pw]

gorgeous tank. FYI if your wife has issues with noise, ditch the vortecs. I guess that what is loud to someone might be quiet to someone else, but I have my tank in my living area and when I had the vortecs I hated it. Tunzies are the way to go. Keep us updated.

 

[rng_pw]

those are the perfect dimensions by the way. Exact size as my last tank. My new tank is 30 inches tall and it is really hard to reach the bottom. Again good luck with the build

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

My Dart is quite.

 

[Mr E Wrasse]

gorgeous tank. FYI if your wife has issues with noise, ditch the vortecs. I guess that what is loud to someone might be quiet to someone else, but I have my tank in my living area and when I had the vortecs I hated it. Tunzies are the way to go. Keep us updated.

Really? my vortech is quiet.. hmm was yours the 1st or 2nd gen Vortech? mine's 2nd

 

[Mr E Wrasse]

It usually seems to be overflows and water entering the sump that make the most noise.. if you can keep those quiet, the rest should be easy

 

[mike_dani]

Mine is 30 deep and I have issues reaching the front bottom. I am 6'2" and have to use tongs or slide up on top of the tank to reach the front bottom. I have 400 watt MH on digital ballasts and have 185 at the bottom, with new bulbs.

I would go with a closed loop and Dart pumps. I have two Darts running one manifold and still don't have enough flow in the front of the tank. You can see my build here or on our club page.

You would hear the water movement over the sound of the Darts.

I have a 30 inch tall take and hate it....... When I say 30 deep I am referring to front to back, just for clarification.

I am looking at the dart pump and they look great looks as if I will be adding a pool motor :squigglemouth: to the tank

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Your going to be dealing with a lot of water man. On my 250g I have one that circulates the water and it is wide open and is not too much. I have 2 overflow drains and one drains into the sump and one drains into my skimmer. So basically the dart is doing the job!

 

[mike_dani]

Rev you have inspired me..... I have ordered my tank from Ty he has now gone wholesale only but I am lucky as he has nobody in Huntsville selling his tanks so he sold to me the tank is a true 300 gallon with external over flow.

I am going to run the reeflow dart pump, I have a 75 gallon tank that I will turn into my sump and am starting to design it now.

I will be documenting this build from building the stand and canopy to the tank delivery plumbing ect.... So all of you stay tuned this is my dream and is now going to become my reality.....

Thank you REEF2REEF its all your fault

 

[Sikryd]

I'll be tagging along since I am in the middle of designing my 200g too.

Looks good so far.

 

[mike_dani]

Sweet I love tagalongs they are my favorite junk food:snicker:

I just want to do this the best way possible the first time, looks like it will be 4-6 weeks before the tank is built. so I have some to think

I'll be tagging along since I am in the middle of designing my 200g too.

Looks good so far.