Alex's 330 Gallon CustomAquariums.com Tank

[AlexStinson]

Hello everyone!

Through much trial and tribulation I am finally building/installing my dream tank. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

I have been in the aquarium hobby from birth, helping with my Mother's angelfish until I got my own tank at 10 years old. Fast forward to college and I jump into the hobby with a little bitty 14 gallon biocube and join the local reefclub with the other addicts around 2006. Work my way up to a custom 185 that I had set up for a precious small amount of time before I ran off to play Army and had to sell it to move 'overseas'.

Fast forward another half a decade or so... I am home, with a wife and son on the way. Wife demanded I stop talking about getting a big tank and just do it... with the caveat that it is here prior to the baby so....

Tank: 72x36x30 CustomAquariums.com tank with 3 sides low-iron glass and peninsula style overflow to build it into the wall. It has their proprietary overflows, pictures to follow. Roughly 330 gallons give or take the glass.

I always loved the Marineland Deep 300's but I needed a different setup to be viewable from 2 sides. Custom Aquariums was fantastic to work with and get me what I need.

pic2 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

It will be sitting on a square steel stand, and I will be using a mix of their sump system and my own.

 

[Diesel]

That’s going to be a beauty.

 

[AlexStinson]

That’s going to be a beauty.

Thanks!!

 

[AlexStinson]

So about 18 months ago we bought a very sad home that needed love. Here is the old wall where the tank is going. If you look closely it was wood paneling, that was then mudded over, then wallpapered multiple times, then the wallpaper ripped off.
In the middle of teardown.


Why keep the ceiling? Popcorn bleh... even found some glittered popcorn. Excuse the fat guy in the picture, that's me.

20180512_143742 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

Got it naked:
20180519_140318 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

And Finally a hole for the tank:
20180521_173750 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

 

[Diesel]

Is your house elevated?

 

[AlexStinson]

Is your house elevated?

No, This is on a slab. Forgive the mess as all this is happening with a more or less to-the-studs remodel. Thus the dust and furniture scattered about.

 

[Diesel]

In that case I would raise your electrical boxes up now that you have the wall naked.
I know Tn has different codes than here in Tx but there is no way that will pass here in Houston.
I just rented a house three weeks ago in Franklin Tn to look for a historic place I can buy to have a retread when I go hunting in Tn but I was chocked to see some of the main panels done

 

[AlexStinson]

In that case I would raise your electrical boxes up now that you have the wall naked.
I know Tn has different codes than here in Tx but there is no way that will pass here in Houston.
I just rented a house three weeks ago in Franklin Tn to look for a historic place I can buy to have a retread when I go hunting in Tn but I was chocked to see some of the main panels done

The main panel on this one was an absolute disaster. Most of the electrical has been redone in addition to moving the panel box to another room away from water. It isn't shown, but we have added 3x 20 amp circuits to the tank area, and they are all above tank level.

 

[Jaxon]

Wow, awesome build can't wait to see the progress....

 

[AlexStinson]

Here is the other project we are working on:

20180726_165800 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

We will see which one is done first!!

 

[Diesel]

Edit , she’s working it for now.

Any way, congrats to the both of you

 

[AlexStinson]

Edit , she’s working it for now.

Any way, congrats to the both of you

Thanks, He is due on the 22nd. Goal is to have tank filled and sheetrock up before then.

 

[AlexStinson]

Some fish going into quarantine. 20180728_161831 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

 

[AlexStinson]

I've got most of my gear in:

• Jebao DCP-15000 return pump
• 2x Jebao PP-20 flow pumps
• 3x Kessil AP700
• 4x 39w t4 retrofit with aquablue + to help take care of some shadowing
• Apex with an extra power bar
• Reef Octopus Regal 300-int skimmer

I will also move over a Vortech and a few other items from my current tank. I am currently working on a canopy to house the lights, I will hopefully be posting more pictures tonight. The one thing really not decided is how to replace calcium/alkalinity. I am leaning towards a calcium reactor but I haven't committed in any direction. Triton was my original plan but it just seems a bit too cost prohibitive at this point in time. Although this is a large tank, I am definitely having to work it on a budget.

 

[ca1ore]

That tank looks really nice. I never could quite seem to fit a peninsula - even though I think they look terrific. Once you go 36 wide, you never go back.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Congrats bro! Can't wait to come see it and trade frags!

 

[AlexStinson]

All wonky in the delivery Truck:
20180730_113648 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

Safe and sound and very well packed:
20180730_123600 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

Big shout out to Kinny at Parrott aquatics for helping me move it in. If you are anywhere in east TN I recommend him 100%:
20180730_173344 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

In place, just needed a little bit of shimming:
20180730_184339 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

 

[AlexStinson]

Getting some drywall done!
20180804_114430 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

Meanwhile I am working on a canopy to hold the lights:
20180804_181310 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

Sump system in place:
20180805_214119 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

I modified the sump system and added a 40gallon stock tank to house my return pump, it also gives me a lot more area for water to drain in to if needed.
20180805_214121 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

Adding RO, pumps are int here so I can mix the water in-situ. Took the better part of 5 days to get enough water
20180806_203958 by Alex Stinson, on Flickr

 

[najer]

Lovely size, great work so far.

 

[AlexStinson]

Lovely size, great work so far.

Thanks, I am quickly learning 30" high is a trick to reach.