CW's 300

Winschuc · Mar 28, 2017

Finally got my hands on an 8' tank!

This will most likely take a while to get running, but I thought I would share to get feedback on the process as I move forward.

The tank is a Truvu 300W - (96L x 30W x 24H).
Stand - Steel
Lighting - Thinking about going with SB Reef Led's. I'm currently running a 400W halide over my 36x36 cube.
Filtration - Going to use the same sump as on my 150 (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/150-dd.205527/)
- SRO 6000 ext
- GEO 624 Cal/rx

I am going to add a 100G cube, a 75G fuge and a 40G frag tank to the sump in the basement.

Winschuc · Mar 29, 2017

Sanding acrylic is unexpectedly relaxing.

Anyone with large truvue tanks ever expand the openings on top? I have a Monti that I'd like to keep that will not fit through.

Winschuc · May 3, 2017

Stand is in! Going to get a few pieces of ply tomorrow and hopefully have it on the stand tomorrow night.

Daniel@R2R · May 4, 2017

Nice tank! I can't speak to the expanding openings question, but maybe one of our #DIYwizards or #reefsquad can help.

redfishbluefish · May 4, 2017

I would call/email Truvu and ask about opening up one or more of the "doors" in the top. I would not want to take any acrylic away from between the doors, but I would think you could remove some from the front and back portions of the doors....and I would only do that to the two middle ones since the end ones looks like the overflow is cut out as well. But again, talk to Truvu.

Winschuc · May 4, 2017

Thanks everyone. I reached out to TRUVU and they haven't responded. I think I'm going to leave the cut-outs, but drill a few holes for cable management. As I was visualizing the set-up, i noticed that all powerhead cables would have to run through the openings then around to the back/sides. I'm thinking 4 to 6 1/2"-3/4" bulkheads through the top. One on each side and 2-4 on the back depending on how many PH's I'll need after I get rock inside. If the Monti doesn't fit, it will either go up for sale or in the basement. It's starting to push 12" across, so I might be able to angle it a bit and get it in.

For the drains/returns, I'm going to run full siphon and an emergency in each overflow and then run the return over the back. Pipe it through two bulkheads about 6" apart dead center of the tank. The return is going to be a Hammerhead in the basement.

Cant wait to get this on the stand (hopefully tonight) and start dry-fitting all the plumbing.

Winschuc · May 4, 2017

On Stand!

redfishbluefish · May 4, 2017

Looks fantastic! I'm following.

Winschuc · May 8, 2017

Some progress this weekend,

- 5% tint applied to the back
- Holes drilled for powerhead cords
- Holes drilled for overflow (one bulkhead overlapped the steel by 1/8" - still need to patch)
- Rinsed 40Lbs of sand and placed in tank.
- Rough placement of 20%(ish) of plumbing
- Polished the front panel. Will most likely need some underwater scratch removal kits in the future, but for now I just cant really see the scratched unless the light is just right.

Winschuc · May 8, 2017

100 lbs of sand added in. Thinking about 80-100 more should get me where I like to be.

Winschuc · May 31, 2017

Basement is reorganized and getting ready to hold all my livestock when I start to fill the 300. The 150 has been put on its own in stand sump.

Winschuc · Jun 6, 2017

Tank supports are in place and 100 gallons are sitting in the tank. Final plumbing going in this week and will hopefully have the system running within two weeks.

Winschuc · Jun 6, 2017

150 in.

Winschuc · Jun 7, 2017

She's full!!

One more pipe and a few bulkhead to plug old return holes and we'll be cycling... (ish) there's about half old rock and half dry in the sump already.

Winschuc · Jun 9, 2017

Up and running. Two SB reef 32" Wi-Fi units. I will need to mount them higher and get another unit for the middle. I am not a fan of the spotlight effect... we'll see how that goes.

Other than that, working on balancing the overflows. Got thwm nearly silent, but have just a little more work to do as it settles in.

Winschuc · Jun 10, 2017

Got all the rock out of my sump and holding tanks. Not sure how it's all going to come together. A few of these rocks looked huge before they went in.