Jbob-Tommy
New Member
Hey everyone. Just wanted to say hi and jump on board the first forum that caught my attention. I just bought a 300 gallon glass aquarium measuring 8'x30"x24". It has 2 overflow towers and 8 access holes for returns. Inside the stand, a 130 gallon acrylic sump that is 6' long, with a large area for the water to dump into (and for live rock/sand), a small zone for the skimmer (of which I will have to research the skimmer because I am unfamiliar with the type/function of this particular skimmer), and a smaller zone for the return line and pump. The return pump is a large external pump (unsure of the HP, but it ran as soon as I plugged it in). It also came with 6 squid-type devices that plug in and auscultate side to side slowly. I figured I will place 3 of them on each half of the tank, 2 on either side of each tower, and two on the left and right front corners. The canopy from half folds up to allow for great access into the tank. It is set up with 4 metal halides and 4 T4 UV 6' bulbs. I am not going to use the existing lighting set-up as I want to convert the canopy for LED's to help save on the power usage (I'm hoping to make some money selling the existing lighting to buy my new lighting!) I will have to complete re-plumb the entire system as I A: Have no idea what or how it was set up before, and B: the PCV and unions are old and I do not trust with integrity. I am currently working on the stand and canopy, stripping them down, sanding, going to stain them in a nice dark cherry stain, and I want to pull some of the existing supports out and replace them with new lumbar, and I am seeing rust on the screws and salt damage on the wood.
My plans (once I have finished refurbishing) are to make a beautiful dual island reef build in the tank with a rock "bridge" between the 2 islands. Each island will be built in front of each tower on the left and right sides of the tank, with plenty of open sand around the sides and front of them. There will be a nice sized void of open sand between the 2 islands, and a rock bridge (that will create a large cave) stretching between the islands. I have never been a fan of the large tanks that just have a wall of rock with all of their corals displayed on the will. I will be going for something a little different, but still very visually appealing to the eye. I think I will be going with a 3-4" sand bed, as well as a few inches of sand in the sump with a decent amount of live rock as well. I'm looking forward to finishing my tank, but have a long ways to go before I can get there.
My plans (once I have finished refurbishing) are to make a beautiful dual island reef build in the tank with a rock "bridge" between the 2 islands. Each island will be built in front of each tower on the left and right sides of the tank, with plenty of open sand around the sides and front of them. There will be a nice sized void of open sand between the 2 islands, and a rock bridge (that will create a large cave) stretching between the islands. I have never been a fan of the large tanks that just have a wall of rock with all of their corals displayed on the will. I will be going for something a little different, but still very visually appealing to the eye. I think I will be going with a 3-4" sand bed, as well as a few inches of sand in the sump with a decent amount of live rock as well. I'm looking forward to finishing my tank, but have a long ways to go before I can get there.
