Planet aquarium 375 build

[loganjude]

I just purchased my dream 8ft tank second hand. Wanted to document the build along the way. Going to be a couple weeks before its ready for water but I plan on doing some neat stuff. Tank is a planet aquarium 96x30x30. Rimless top and bottom with acrylic bottom panel. Has seam guards and eurobracing.

So far I have gotten the tank in my house in a spot I can work from front and back. With 8 people this was still an insane nightmare but its in. Got it cleaned up pretty good so far.

Equipment i have so far
- tideline 48 sump
- 6 radion xr30 gen 4 pros. Possibly adding more
- Skimmer is a reef octo regal 300
- 3 mp40qd wave makers
- 2 jebao mcp-180 gyres
- jebao dct 15000 return pump
- inkbird with 2 600 watt titanium heaters
- 20 gallon tall tank for ato

For the lights I am building a mount from extruded aluminum and have a friend 3d printing mounts for the radions. Hes also printing holders for all power bricks and controllers.

Being its a 8ft tank I am making extensions cables for 1 of the mp40s, possibly the others if needed, and have got extension cables for the skimmer and jebao gyre.

I wrapped the back of sump black and 3 sides of ato black aswell. The plan there was to help hide wires as much as possible. I will attempt to run all wires through a cable raceway all the way to a custom slide out control board. Should be starting to build that control board next week.
Plan is sump in the middle, ato on the left, and control board on the right with some extra room for whatever

All plumbing has been ordered so will post pics of that when I get home from work next week.

For sand my plan is 5 bags of special grade and 2 bags of fiji pink. 300 lbs worth should net me 2 inch sand bed.

Still unsure on how I would like to do my aquascape.

The plan is large angels and tangs, and possibly adding frags of stuff i have in other tanks and see what will last. Would love to have coral in it but I think id prefer the big angels.

I will be updating with pictures as I get things done. Super excited to get this one going.

Any ideas and or tips are welcomed.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

very nice!!

 

[JohnNYC8]

This tank already looks amazing! The only thing I’d say is to maybe plan to add strip lights when you and your friend build your custom light mount.

AI Blades or the Quanta Helix bars would compliment the Radions well and reduce shading in such a massive tank.

I have a Radion g6 and a Blade Grow and the combo looks great.

Here’s a good spectrum mix using the Radion/Helix combo
Thread 'Quanta Lights Helix Meso Blue Review & In Depth Application'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/quanta-lights-helix-meso-blue-review-in-depth-application.1105094/

Also when you mix sand sizes, the larger grains will end up on top. If you’re cool with that then a mix works.

 

[loganjude]

This tank already looks amazing! The only thing I’d say is to maybe plan to add strip lights when you and your friend build your custom light mount.

AI Blades or the Quanta Helix bars would compliment the Radions well and reduce shading in such a massive tank.

I have a Radion g6 and a Blade Grow and the combo looks great.

Here’s a good spectrum mix using the Radion/Helix combo
Thread 'Quanta Lights Helix Meso Blue Review & In Depth Application'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/quanta-lights-helix-meso-blue-review-in-depth-application.1105094/

I actually have a local reefer that has his own line of light bars that I may add on in the future. Id like to have atleast 6 radions and a light bar. I'll just have to see how the lights look. Should have the light mount built end of next week. Will post pics when its done.

 

[JohnNYC8]

I actually have a local reefer that has his own line of light bars that I may add on in the future. Id like to have atleast 6 radions and a light bar. I'll just have to see how the lights look. Should have the light mount built end of next week. Will post pics when it’s done.

That’s really cool. I can’t wait to see this build. This is a dream project.

 

[loganjude]

That’s really cool. I can’t wait to see this build. This is a dream project.

Same. Still cant believe its sitting in my house lol. Was looking into possibly getting a new 300 and a friend decided to sell this one for less. It was a no brainer.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[hatfielj]

Awesome tank! That's not rimless though;) It's Euro-braced. Which, IMO, is far better than rimless because you don't have to constantly deal with water dripping over the side when you clean the glass or a fish or pump splashes it. I'll follow along!

 

[loganjude]

Awesome tank! That's not rimless though;) It's Euro-braced. Which, IMO, is far better than rimless because you don't have to constantly deal with water dripping over the side when you clean the glass or a fish or pump splashes it. I'll follow along!

I just assumed rimless meant no plastic trim. Has none on top and bottom. I know its eurobraced. I do have a full rimless planet 120 though lol.

 

[Overboard]

Really nice tank! This will be fun for you. I have an 8ft tank also and it gives you plenty of room to aquascape.

You said it is 8ft long. How tall? How wide?

 

[loganjude]

Really nice tank! This will be fun for you. I have an 8ft tank also and it gives you plenty of room to aquascape.

You said it is 8ft long. How tall? How wide?

It's 96x30x30. I'm still trying to think how I plan to try my aquascape. Been searching through the forum for inspiration.

 

[Nano_Man]

Very close to windows you could have a problem with day light in summer but you're tank looks brilliant

 

[loganjude]

Very close to windows you could have a problem with day light in summer but you're tank looks brilliant

It will be against the far back wall. Windows will be tinted pretty dark soon. My mixed reef tank gets a little sunlight when my wife opens the door blinds and its doing great. Definitely something I am keeping in mind though.

 

[Overboard]

Nice! Same dimensions I have. Sometimes the 30” tall makes it a little hard to reach the bottom if necessary but I like the way it looks. You will enjoy it!

 

[loganjude]

Nice! Same dimensions I have. Sometimes the 30” tall makes it a little hard to reach the bottom if necessary but I like the way it looks. You will enjoy it!

I thought hard about getting it due to height but the wife agreed getting wet was worth it
Just cleaning it empty was a big task but I think the view will outweigh the work.

 

[loganjude]

Forgot to get before pictures of this side before, but sanded and got a layer of paint down. The paint is pretty rough inside the stand and lots of unpainted areas.

 

[vandy]

Anymore specs on the bars youre able to source locally? i can't believe the prices some of these manufacturers are asking for simple light bars these days...

 

[loganjude]

Anymore specs on the bars youre able to source locally? i can't believe the prices some of these manufacturers are asking for simple light bars these days...

I found some info. He has a Facebook page that is reef litbars. They aren't anything fancy. Just full on or full off but do a good job. Many locals are using them.

 

[loganjude]

Got other side of tank sanded and 2 layers of paint down. Got a picture of condition it was in before I started for this side

 

[loganjude]

Finished up the over flow plumbing. Need to order the strainers but stand pipes and returns are in. Still unsure on height for the main drain and emergency so may adjust those.