Help with 300g decisions

[zach_discus]

Hello all,
Looking for help and suggestions on my upcoming build. Right now I have a 240 thats 65l x 30d x 28t that's set up as a peninsula tank with a large overflow on one end. I like the tank but after having it up for 3 months, finding a few limits with it. The overflow takes up too much real estate and I'd like more length.

After talking it over with the wife, I convinced her a built in between the office/family room would be really nice and I could plumb it into the garage so nothing in the house for our new addition to get into once she's mobile.

So I'm looking at two tank options:
1. Marinland 300DD 72l x 36d x 24t. I like the dimensions and the cost $1899. Do not like the cross bracing and limited amount of flow the overflows will handle.

2. is a custom glass tank through a local supplier. 84l x 34d x 24d. the dimension fit the space perfectly. Also can do a dual 1.5 Herbie set up for the overflow. Negatives are its $1100 more

Money is a consideration, if I save it on the tank, I can use it elsewhere in the build. I'm wanting to re-use as much equipment as I can, but not entirely happy with my LEDs right now.

So I'm looking at three light options:
1 Use my Reefradience fixture centered over the tanks and supplement with T5HO on each side. This would give me plenty of coverage and I can use the T5s to help balance the blues better (the one lacking factor to the RR, need less warm white/more blue). Cheapest option to implement

2. Switch to all T5HO and add strips of LED to add shimmer. Proven lighting source but higher cost to maintain.

3. Switch to Metal halide/T5HO combo. Proven standby and great looking. Big power bill and highest cost to maintain.

Those are my two biggest choices right now. Any insight of productive criticism very welcome.
Thanks everyone.

 

[Defective_Weeble]

I can't possibly recommend that anyone buy a Marineland DD tank, and especially not the 300DD. I've seen far too many of them fail either immediately or within 1-2 years. Yes, there are plenty that are just fine, but I've never seen another specific tank with more horror stories. I'd definitely look at options like Planet Aquariums. In the scheme of things, that $1100 is a whole lot cheaper than a failed tank and the cleanup that it will require.

Lights - I'd give consideration to OceanRevive if you're a fan of that style LED layout (which I'm assuming you are given your Reef Radiance fixture). Plenty of people have seen incredible results with the OR fixtures and they're very good about communication.

The T5/LED hybrid would be my number 2 choice. If money is a big consideration, the setup and maintenance cost would be a concern for me.

Same story on MH/T5 combo. In fact, the setup and maintenance costs would rule it out for me, regardless of how great the performance would be.

My 2 cents. Take them or leave them.