Diving in the deep end...

[Midknightskie]

Ok hope this is the right place for my post, I am taking the slow boat on building my 300 gallon. So a list of a few items that i can think of off the top of my head for this system are.

• 300 Gal Zeroedge ( this business was great to deal with, I had called 8-10 other acrylic tank manufactures that were either no help or literately laughed at me because I wanted a tank sent to Hawaii)
• Custom sump from Zeroedge to match.
• Apex control system
• 2 ReefBreeders Photon V1 48L ( These got to me fast and they were packaged great)
• BRS 6 stage RO/DI 150 GPD and carbon/GFO reactor setup
• Reef Octopus Elite 220 int skimmer
• Reef Octopus RODC 5500 return pump
• JBJ 1/3 hp chiller
• Tunze Osmolator

 

[DarkTang]

Pics?

 

[Midknightskie]

Just put the rocks in a few days ago Used that BSI gel adhesive and I would not recommend that for any kind of rock work, it is great if you use it in a thin layer. I even had some parts I glued that did not even set after 24 hrs was still tacky.

 

[Midknightskie]

also got a maxspec gyre XF250, thinking i may need to add another for better flow but not sure

 

[AlexG]

What island are you on? What are the restrictions for livestock? Local stock only I take itc? Can you collect on your own or do you need a permit? I went to Maui a few years ago and there were some great reefs to dive right off the beach with some interesting corals and fish.

 

[Midknightskie]

im on the big island, we are allowed to catch fish here and collect softies as long as no rocks are attached. I will be looking into what I can possibly order from online vendors once I get it cycled.

 

[Maritimer]

also got a maxspec gyre XF250, thinking i may need to add another for better flow but not sure

I've found that the Gyre moves a lot of water, in a couple of different flow patterns ... in one direction. If you want random, switching flow, put another Gyre at the other end of your tank. Once you do ... surf's up!

This tank is going to be gorgeous!

~Bruce

 

[jsbull]

Good looking start! I'm looking forward to how this progresses.

 

[Midknightskie]

The reflow pump I was going to do a closed loop but then decided on the gyre. So I'll be having to get rid of that large pump, unless any has a really good idea

 

[Midknightskie]

I finally got some time to paint the inside of my stand will seal the seams tomorrow then I can add a light and start mounting a few things.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Very nice!!

 

[Lninwa]

Will be following your build. Love what you've done so far.

 

[Preme]

Awesome build! following!

 

[Midknightskie]

Ok I was serious about slow [emoji23]. So I got a chance to build part of the canopy, try a new glue on my rocks and also drop most of the sand in.
So fist I used the Loctite epoxy putty from HD it's blue and white. I mashed it up till it was one color ( it is white with a hint of blue) then used it to try and make my rock structure more stable as I was unimpressed with the Bob Smith industries glue. This epoxy dried fast and make everything solid, although it felt to me that it is not very tacky. But I worked it into and around the rock and it is very strong. Then I added crushed coral sand from a local quarry.
The canopy is made from 2x2 and 1/8 mahogany skin, and I painted the inside white. The lights came with their own hanging system but I wanted them to hug the top. So I modified the hangers by adding a 90 deg bend on the 4 outside and cut 2 straight on the middle. Instead of them up like they are in the picture I have them flipped down.

 

[Maritimer]

Interesting mounting position for those Gyre pumps! Don't think I've seen that one before.

~Bruce

 

[Midknightskie]

Thought it may give more flow across the entire length of the tank. I'm debating on putting one horizontal against the overflow also.

 

[Maritimer]

The only thing I'd worry about is that when they're that close to the surface, they can sometimes draw a vortex of air into the rotors, blasting tiny bubbles across the tank. Mounting them the way you have 'em _might_ just be the way around that!

~Bruce

 

[Midknightskie]

That had crossed my mind as it sits less than 1/2" from the waterline. But because of the orientation the suction and discharge horizontal to the waterline which I hope keeps it from drawing a vortex. Also I plan to have it do a random flow which will reverse flow often and the time it takes to build the vortex maybe not make it possible to draw one. But soon as I find out I'll post it.