Kattz's 400 Stand-alone and Fish Room

[kattz]

Greetings!

Well, we have officially started the 300g system. I will be posting pics up as we move along. Note: it's gonna take a while!

Basics:

This is a 300g Deep Dimension DT. It is on a DIY stand.
The stand will be tile-faced and have no doors on the front.
There will be an 8" granite surround around the base of the tank.
Substrate or bare-bottom is TBD.

There is a separate fish room holding the sump, reactors, skimmer, frag tank, water change system, Apex, 'fuge, and DSB filter. This room is started and the drywall is complete.

Regarding the DT, we are installing an Apex-controlled shadowbox on the rear of the tank. Blue LED lighting synced to the tank lighting cycle.

Because of this, I want the tank corner overflows completely eliminated. I plan on using a Barracuda return pump to two OM 4-ways - one 4-way will feed water at the top four corners of the tank and the second four-way will feed the bottom via the original return openings. Return will be via two 16" Synergy Reef shadow overflows on the SIDES of the tank.

I am open to advice on how to plumb the above! I plan on a Y-check valve with true-union ball valves above and below the check valve to allow maintenance. The plan is to hide the outputs at the four corners of the tank in dry rock cut to fit around the openings.

This is planned for an all dry-rock aquascape, seated on Lowe's pavers and using hydraulic mortar and PVC pipe for the skeleton.

Anyway open to any and all ideas...

Kev

 

[Diesel]

Looking forward to some pics my friend.

 

[Stunna]

Looking forward to seeing the granite base.

 

[Diesel]

How I missed that Granite ledge.
Wonder if they all copied the Diesel tank.

From a old outdoor kitchen that we replaced for lighter granite I used the old granite.

Not sure if you can see the black granite but the tank is reflecting in it.

 

[ReefguyEric]

Looks cool what brand of lighting are you using

 

[Diesel]

Looks cool what brand of lighting are you using

T5!

 

[aquavista99]

Looking forward to this build, Kev!

 

[revhtree]

Following!

 

[kattz]

Yes, this thread is useless without pics... and that ledge is similar to what we are planning. We had never seen it done before, so...

Anyway, pics!

My miter saw was having issues so I had Lowe's cut to the CAD drawing. First step: straight boards!

The cut result.

Next, Kreg jig, lots of screws, square, and lots of waterproof glue.

These corner legs are stout and once glued, would probably support a large SUV.

Bottom skin cut and ready to glue.

Tank base top frame and bracing in place. Yes, that is my Valentino Rossi helmet in the rear...

The top and sides going on. This was about midnight.

Bottom sealed with foam. Will be coated with white epoxy later.

Maintenance openings on the rear cut out.

Moved by myself down the hill and in through the double French doors. Tank is going to be moved from old house shortly, so I added a 3/4" additional layer to top with glue and screws - now extremely strong and very level - and cut out the holes for the returns.

Lined up in proper location in downstairs room versus the equipment room behind it.

And the tank in place.

The base is level and shimmed. Tank is level in all directions. It is 18" from the wall to allow maintenance from the rear.

Overflows will be cut out and new Synergy Reef Shadow overflows will be installed on the sides.

More to follow in a month or so!

 

[kattz]

Let me know if the pics don't show up.

 

[Diesel]

Hmm.. might have to ask a mod to delete this post and do it again!

Click report and explain why.
Or just edit

 

[Stunna]

Pictures work for me!

 

[mixer911]

Following along Kev!

 

[Lazys Coral House]

Looks like a good start. Following along

 

[ScottW]

Looks great so far! Love the Granite idea!

 

[kattz]

@aquavista99 :

Tim, thanks for the overflows! This will help me save some $ and give me more flow throughout the tank! Much appreciated.

Kev

 

[aquavista99]

Those dual 24" custom Reef Savvy Ghost overflows are sweet, Kev!

 

[kattz]

Yeah, they are pretty darn sweeeeeet. Got some glass to drill now! Your generosity is greatly appreciated, Tim. Thanks again!

Kev

 

[mixer911]

@aquavista99 :

Tim, thanks for the overflows! This will help me save some $ and give me more flow throughout the tank! Much appreciated.

Kev

Those are some of the older Beta overflows we used to make a few years ago for Reef Savvy. These were great at the time, but just an FYI the magnet will rust on those weirs in about 6 months. Also one of those is a custom hole pattern, so once your tank is drilled you are stuck with that pattern.

 

[kattz]

Thanks for the heads-up, Rick! Appreciate it. I noticed the magnets and going to seal all of them with USAF-grade sealant. Good enough for Mach 2, think it'll be ok in the tank. I also noticed the 8mm difference in the piping, so I'm going to mill out that one side and weld a filler in the crescent that I'll cut from the waterjet.

Cheers!

Kev