Upgrading a 180 to 300 !!

Y2KReef

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First off I want to acknowledge another thread with the exact situation. Not looking to compete but I think it's awesome to be able to compare set ups and learn!! His thread is
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/300-gallon-new-reef-tank-build.288986/

Back ground: I have been all over the place with tanks. I can go as far back as childhood with my father's 30 gal freshwater! But I won't....... I'll start from 20 yrs ago when I first bought my house. 1st tank was a 65. Then moved to a 180. Then got ambitious and jumped to a 535 acrylic built by ATM, before they were popular. What an undertaking and huge disappointment !! I was not ready for that size tank, too much work, time, money, lack of knowledge, and broke it down back to a 180. Got back on track and upgraded again to a 325. Had that for a few yrs and all was good. Found myself having troubles again and broke it down. I had converted the old 180 into a basement sump for this tank and kept a few things in there. Didn't want to get totally out. Slowly started upgrading that tank and it is stable and doing great! But converting it to a sump stained the glass where the baffles were siliconed in, and 3, 1 1/2 inch holes were drilled in side panels. So I've upgraded again! Bought a 300 gal 96x30x24 from Glass Cages. I know their reputation but recent positive reviews and Adam from Battle Corals just took delivery of several large tanks from them was enough for me to go with them.

Tank: 96x30x24 with center internal overflow. Low iron front

IMG_20170209_114137146.jpg
 
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Y2KReef

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Equipment:

Skimmer: RLSS 10" with Octo VarioS S-6

Lighting: 4 Ocean Revive. Currently running 3 on the 180. Pleased with the look and corals are doing great.

Heater: Blueline 500W I will be adding another Blueline 300

Sump: Home Depot HDX 55 gal tote. For $27 I had to use it!!

Return pump: Going with DC

IMG_4870.jpg
 
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Y2KReef

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Flow: Using 2 Jeboe RW-8 and just bought 2 new Rossmont powerheads and controller. These are AC. I like no extra power converter in the power cord.

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Y2KReef

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Adding a DIY ATS. Not sure if I am going to add to sump or keep it in this container and tie into sump. I like the fact that there are no bulkheads in the sump and not sure I want to drill both containers to flow together. However they are cheap enough I can easily replace. There is a piece of thin acrylic behind each screen. I want to make sure water flows across the entire screen. I will be using 2 LED plant grow lights

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Y2KReef

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Alk, Calcium, Mag, Kalk will be added via dosing

RO/DI: Currently using Air Water & Ice Typhoon 75 gal/day

Controller: undecided

Stand: DIY wooden stand
 
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Y2KReef

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That's what I have so far. Tank comes tomorrow. Need to fill test, add new rock and begin scaping, then fill RO/DI

Any tips, advice, criticism is welcome!!
 

Ryan Moeller

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How is the quality of the tank? I've been looking at the same company for quite some time now. What are your overall impressions?
 
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Y2KReef

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Mine is not intended as a show piece. I'm more concerned with the contents.
 

Caring for your picky eaters: What do you feed your finicky fish?

  • Live foods

    Votes: 19 30.2%
  • Frozen meaty foods

    Votes: 52 82.5%
  • Soft pellets

    Votes: 10 15.9%
  • Masstick (or comparable)

    Votes: 7 11.1%
  • Other

    Votes: 3 4.8%
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