FoD's Über 250DD Build Thread

FoD · May 28, 2015

I have lurked on here long enough, it seemed the right time to finally introduce myself to those of you who don't know me. My name is Andy. I have been in this hobby for the better part of 8 years. I am currently a wrasse addicted, SPS junkie. This thread will follow my progress on my new Marineland 250DD system. I am calling it the Über 250DD build due to the over abundance of German products I am implementing...it just worked out that way.

The Equipment:

Marineland 250DD Display Tank
Deep Blue 80G Shallow Sump
Custom 35 Gallon Propogation Tank
40 Gallon Breeder QT Tank

??? T5/LED Hybrid Lighting the 250DD
ATI 8x39W Dimmable T5 lighting the Prop Tank

Vertex Alpha 200 w/ Vectra Auto Cleaner
Deltec PF-501 (x2) Calcium Reactors
GHL Profilux Doser 2 Standalone Unit
BRS 1.1mL/Min Doser (x2)
Tunze Osmolator ATO
Avast Marine Vibe Reactor
Vertex RX-U 2.0 Reactor

EcoTech MP40QD (x2)
Maxspect Gyre XF50
Waveline DC-12000

Eheim Auto Feeder
Full Zeovit Program Auto Dosed

All controlled by my archaic ReefKeeper Elite (GHL to come I'm thinking).

This upgrade happened solely by chance when I bought my house. The 2 "activity" rooms downstairs are separated by a partial wall, with a 65" wide x 48" tall voided window. I had originally had my bar organized on that sill, but had imagined a see-through tank going there. Discussed with the Mrs. and away I went getting custom tank quotes. I had budgeted a ceiling for this build, and honestly, the tank quotes and sump were trying to break through, and I hadn't even bought supplementing equipment. So, the most economical solution was to buy a "standard" tank. I looked at DSA and the DD line from Marineland. I was able to score a killer deal through a LFS for the Marineland tank and stand, so I couldn't pass it up.

The Build:

I have begun construction on the stand unit and framed up the closure panels for the window that now will house the tank. It will be viewable on the front pane, right side pane, and a 42" x 23" pane on the back, between overflows from the next room. I still need a professional to come and finish the new sheetrock. I am more than capable with tools and construction, but dang it if I can't make a wall look right after I cut into it. I ran 2 20A circuits for the system, and built the stand framing. Once everything is in place and the system is running, I will begin construction of the custom cabinetry skin. I am also matching this cabinetry to my bar built in in the same room. Then I'll be able to have beer on tap as I stare aimlessly at fish in a box. Work sucks right now, so shooting for July to have it wet and beginning the Zeo 14 day cycle.

The Stock:

As I said above, I am a bit of a Wrasse addict. I currently have 6 in my 120, but recently lost my P. attenuatus, C. lineatus, and M. geoffroyi, among others when a case of Brook broke out. Came out of nowhere, and wiped out 11 fish in 3 days.

Current Stock:

H. richmondi
H. iridis
C. rhomboidalis
C. rubrisquammis
M. meleagris (pair)
O. borbonius
Z. flavescens
C. viridis (4...down from 11)

Multiple SPS
Acanthastrea lordhowensis
Dendrophyllia
Cerianthus Tube Anemone

The Plan:

Since I don't have a light for the 250DD yet, and haven't fully committed to which fixture I will go with, I have decided to get this up and running by putting all corals into the propogation tank, transferring all fish and NPS into the main display, lit by 2x54 T5 that I have laying around.

I will snap some pre-installation pictures once I get a day off.

-Andy

evolved · May 29, 2015

We need pictures Andy. No one cares unless there's pictures.

FoD · May 29, 2015

I'll get some pictures up next year sometime.

evolved · May 29, 2015

Perfect. :mad:

FoD · May 30, 2015

Update. Getting wet over the July 4th weekend might now happen now. The custom Propogation Tank is going to take longer than anticipated. It might arrive by that weekend. No way I'll get it plumbed and filled by then.

nwkermit · Jun 2, 2015

If you are looking for a new GHL controller. I have one for sale.

FoD · Jun 5, 2015

First coat of mud is on the wall above the stand. Some sanding and 2 more coats, and I can finally put the tank in place. Also painted the stand with Marine Epoxy Paint (used on boats). Poison in a can. My house smells like a meth lab. Good news is, between the paint and FRP, my stand will now hold roughly 13 gallons of spilled water before it overflows onto the hardwood. Pics when I get back in town...seriously this time...maybe.

nwkermit said:
If you are looking for a new GHL controller. I have one for sale.

I'll keep that in mind.

FoD · Jun 10, 2015

PICS!

One more mud and sanding and that will be finished. Then I have to paint it. I still have 2 more coats of boat paint to go onto the stand until that is complete. Pics below.

Stand - 250DD on right with see through pane, Sump below. Prop tank on left, QT below.

Sump - Deep Blue Professional 80 Gallon Rimless

Skimmer - Vertex Alpha 200 w/ Vectra Self-Cleaning Neck

Preliminary Scape - Front

Preliminary Scape - Top

Getting Closer. The Propogation tank has shipped. No ETA as of yet. Once that arrives, let the plumbing begin!

FoD · Jun 17, 2015

Small update. Not much in the name of progress, but here it is.

Added Fart Fan (Bathroom Vent Fan) for humidity exhaust, added bottom electrical panel and a few peripheries.

Oh, and the Prop Tank came in! Frag Racks included!

Side note. I've gone mostly German on this build after many years of "Hobby Grade" brands. I have other expensive hobbies, so this one never got the goodies that professional equipment offers. I have to say that Vertex has the best packaging I've ever seen of any aquarium products. I almost don't want to open the box...almost.

More to come next week.

jason g · Jun 22, 2015

That's one nice sump and skimmer. I like the self cleaning neck on it. Convenient.

FoD · Jun 22, 2015

Thanks. I have never used a skimmer with an Auto Neck Cleaner before, so I'll see how the performance goes.

My sheetrock finisher has finally finished. Painting will begin this week, and hopefully the tank will be up this weekend, and getting plumbed.

Fishphi784 · Jun 22, 2015

Oh man... that rock work is on point. Actually, everything you have posted the far is. I will be following.

FoD · Jun 23, 2015

Fishphi784 said:
Oh man... that rock work is on point. Actually, everything you have posted the far is. I will be following.

Thanks! It took 3 orders of different rock to find the "right" pieces to form a minimal scape, with plenty of ledges to place some Acro's! I plan on having 30+ fish in this tank, so I wanted a nice open area for swimmers.

FoD · Jun 23, 2015

Well, unforeseen travel delays = tank progress!

I was able to get both sides of the "window" pained today. The finisher did a pretty darn good job...much better than anything I could have done! My philosophy with this build is simple; if it is next to water, I'm painting it with the Boat Epoxy paint. I've sealed every piece of wood with this paint, and put down lots of FRP and Silicone! All my plumbing parts have arrived as well, so after I return from business trip, the tank is leaving my Tahoe, and going on top of the stand. I will begin plumbing this weekend! I have also started the task of wire organization above the stand. Pain in my butt! Lots of power/power supplies/controllers on this tank. By the end of this weekend, the tank will be in place. I am still waiting on the cut glass for the sump. Hopefully it will be here this week as well and I can pick up and being building that too. We're close...2 weeks away from wet I say.

Stay tuned.

FoD · Jun 28, 2015

She's up!

Sump baffling finished as well. Reactors roughly in place for plumbing dry fit. Plumbing begins later this afternoon.

Bit of bad news. I returned from my business trip to find most of my Acro's dead. It seems the fresh RO water had some contaminant in it. DI resin was completely exhausted. RO membrane is not even close to the efficiency it once was. I'm assuming there was a problem with the incoming water as my wife said the water was brown one day. She refilled the RO container the same day...ugh! heck of a start! I already had new filters here that I was going to change before filling the 250. So, I have cleaned all containers, and tossed the 2 Brute can's for new ones. Hopefully the remaining rebound. Fish and LPS seem to be fine. I'm assuming some metal concentration, but I'm not going to Triton it now that whatever happened, has happened.

FoD · Jun 29, 2015

A little progress today. I got all the plumbing dry fitted and ready for glue. I transferred the sand and rock into the display. I bought WAY too much sand. I have at least 80 pounds still in boxes. I'm waiting on a couple of large hole saw's to arrive so I can drill the acrylic sock holder panel I made. I leave on business soon, so that is all the progress for a few days. Hopefully it will be fully plumbed this weekend and I can start the 3-day fill.

Rock work from the front:

Rock work from the back: