Alaskan 300 Gal build

[AKReef]

Hey guys. Been lurking on here for a while. Finally decided to join the party and share with everyone my 300 gal in wall build.

I'm relatively new to reefing (year and half), but I used to have freshwater tanks growing up and in college. When my wife and I decided to build a new house last year, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to build an in-wall tank with fish room. We moved into the house about 2 months ago and I'm pretty close to getting the tank running.

The tank is 84" x 30" x 30" from Custom Aquariums that I ordered through my LFS. The tank is sitting on a custom steel stand and I have under it a Synergy Reef SS-48 sump.

I'll now attempt to post a few pics...only my 2nd post so bear with me.

 

[AKReef]

Pic of tank room while still under construction. I had the builder double up the floor joists under the tank room. Poured concrete floor under the tank with floor drain. Purple sheet rock on walls and ceiling for moisture/mold control (looks blue because of lighting). Plumbed for utility sink in the corner. 4 separate circuits for electrical needs. 2 CAT6 lines running into the room. Exhaust fan running on humidistat. Looked like a lot of space, but got filled up pretty quick lol

 

[MaddyP]

Heck yes!

 

[ourcoralreef]

Epic

 

[Brian W]

Hey guys. Been lurking on here for a while. Finally decided to join the party and share with everyone my 300 gal in wall build.

I'm relatively new to reefing (year and half), but I used to have freshwater tanks growing up and in college. When my wife and I decided to build a new house last year, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to build an in-wall tank with fish room. We moved into the house about 2 months ago and I'm pretty close to getting the tank running.

The tank is 84" x 30" x 30" from Custom Aquariums that I ordered through my LFS. The tank is sitting on a custom steel stand and I have under it a Synergy Reef SS-48 sump.

I'll now attempt to post a few pics...only my 2nd post so bear with me.

Nice!!!! Welcome

 

[AKReef]

Here's a pic of the near completed tank room:

Saltwater mixing station. I had a smaller system to support my current tank, using 2 50 gal drums. This is basically the same design I used, just larger. I had a short stand fabricated for it with a sheet of melamine for the top.

 

[AKReef]

Here's the tank in place on top of the stand. I took this pic after setting the sump under it. That sump is SEXY.

You can see my little SR60 in the background. Looks like a fishbowl next to this one lol

Closer look at sump:

 

[AKReef]

While waiting for plumbing fittings and other new tank stuff, I built a mock-up of the tank in the garage to work on my aquascape. Got 220lbs of pukani dry rock from BRS. Some the large pieces are just awesome. I think the largest piece came in around 50lbs!

I used 1/2" pvc and fiberglass driveway markers (I need a bunch for the new driveway any way) to build solid footings and pin it all together. No glue here.

And this is basically where everything is today. Got live rock soaking in the tank, running a couple of MP40's and a carbon reactor. I haven't finished plumbing the overflow and return since we need to move the sump in order to hang the paneling that's going to cover the front of the tank.

 

[chefjpaul]

Nice!!!!

 

[AKReef]

Work in progress in plumbing the Synergy Reef Shadow Overflow. Excuse all the wires. It will be cleaned up once I get the sump running.

 

[fftfk]

Looking good - following along.

 

[AKReef]

I do have a question for the group. I'm still considering light options. Right now I'm leaning towards 3 Radion XR30 Pros. Any suggestions?

 

[Clayton Jessup]

Looks like a very nice tank I will be following .. I am in the same situation on Lighting I am considering Kessils or Ecotech.

 

[ThunderGoose]

I have a (much) smaller tank with Radion 15 pros and I'm very happy with them.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

That’s great cuz I am looking at installing a pair of XR15PRO’s G4 in my Aquaticlife T5 /Hybrid .. for my 75g 4ft tank so that very good to know

 

[AKReef]

That’s great cuz I am looking at installing a pair of XR15PRO’s G4 in my Aquaticlife T5 /Hybrid .. for my 75g 4ft tank so that very good to know

I did look at the Aquaticlife hybrids. Was thinking that I could get 2 36" versions with 4 XR15's. Not sure if that would be good enough or not for the 30" deep tank. I really like the hybrid look.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

I did look at the Aquaticlife hybrids. Was thinking that I could get 2 36" versions with 4 XR15's. Not sure if that would be good enough or not for the 30" deep tank. I really like the hybrid look.

This light has gotten me really excited for my build even more. I think two 36in version over your tank would be a solid set up. That’s great to hear the you recommended the Radion XR15PRO’s. I am thinking if I go Radions I am going to do the G4 ‘s unless I find a good deal on G3’s .

 

[AKReef]

Spent most of today working on plumbing.

Here are the return lines connected to the sump.

My manifold, just need to connect to sump. I’m still debating whether to hard plumb or used barb fittings and tubing.

 

[dbl]

Holy wowzers, if that's a word. This is going to be awesome.

 

[ourcoralreef]

Spent most of today working on plumbing.

Here are the return lines connected to the sump.

My manifold, just need to connect to sump. I’m still debating whether to hard plumb or used barb fittings and tubing.

Very nice
Im just thinking maybe you want to add some unions in case you need to do some work down the line

I like soft tube because it eliminates the sharp turns that are in elbows etc

Neat Hard plumbing looks better though