Jeff's 300 Gallon Deep Dimension Reef Build

Woot! Got a drain!
Yea and that piece of 4" PVC and a couple of fittings cost me 800.00! Everything is there, just hidden. Framing for the tank is in the wall but covered with sheet rock. One afternoon after the closing should transform it.
 
Woot! Got a drain!
Yea and that piece of 4" PVC and a couple of fittings cost me 800.00! Everything is there, just hidden. Framing for the tank is in the wall but covered with sheet rock. One afternoon after the closing should transform it.
 
Very jealous of the well prepared space in the new house build, especially the drain! I'd considered the same but just wasn't 100% sure where to locate it. That'll be very handy for water changes - does it go into septic or what? I run my siphon for water changes out the door to a gutter downspout!
 
Very jealous of the well prepared space in the new house build, especially the drain! I'd considered the same but just wasn't 100% sure where to locate it. That'll be very handy for water changes - does it go into septic or what? I run my siphon for water changes out the door to a gutter downspout!
Thanks Don,
My last home and last tank and so I've been planning it for a year and a half. I tried to think of everything and have some good ideas but I'm sure that I will miss something. The drain goes to the main house sewer system and drains to the city line. I ran 5, home runs of 12 - 3 romex for GFCI 20A circuits. The outlets will be enclosed in wet location in-use enclosures. I have a cool idea for mounting all of the equipment and routing all of the cables but I will describe that later.
 
Well that should be enough juice I hope! My system isn't nearly so demanding, it's a single 20A (home run). Code here required every breaker to be AFCI (major PITA with nuisance trips).
Ours was a similar but lower budget experience, the house was being planned, then built, all the while I was gathering equipment. Craigslist, BRS Black Friday deals, eBay, etc. 2 years + of gathering!
If you haven't already - think about power outages. I have a simple UPS and when the power goes out the Apex shuts off everything but one variable speed Tunze running at minimum. Usually it holds out long enough for power to come back. At least long enough to drag out a generator.
Can't wait to see all your stuff come together!
 
That is one fantastic sump, I can't wait to see this build take off.

I might have missed it but did you decide on what lighting you will use?
 
That is one fantastic sump, I can't wait to see this build take off.

I might have missed it but did you decide on what lighting you will use?

Well, I'm old school, there is a picture of the lighting above. 3, 60 watt, warm white incandescent. Going to go primarily SPS so I wanted to make sure that plenty of light but don't want to burn any of the corals.
 
@najer, thank you. Its down to the wire and I am unhappy with some of the paintwork. Just piddly stuff to them, but I need them to do it right before I close or I know it will never be done. Taking some of the fun out of it. Here is the house today and yesterday, I moved the tank into the room with the filter and locked the doors. Nine days left until we close and I can really start the build.
house 7.jpg
tank room 4.jpg
 
Love to see the build of the tank! I've got a dreambox running for 1,5 year and very happy with this kind of sump! You're gonna love it too!!!
 
Well, I'm old school, there is a picture of the lighting above. 3, 60 watt, warm white incandescent. Going to go primarily SPS so I wanted to make sure that plenty of light but don't want to burn any of the corals.
Sorry, made a joke and forgot to answer. Ok, so I really am old school, nothing like metal halides and T5s. 3 - Phoenix 250 watt HQI 14K + 8 - 80W,  T5 ATI True Actinic 03
 
So, the build has finally started. I had a little bit of a set back. I lost my mom a couple of weeks ago and it kind of took the wind out of my sails. I tried to get motivated last weekend and started on the electrical and tile. I've attached a few pictures. This weekend I will set the stand in the room and complete the tile work. It is coming together. My major concern right now is lifting the tank onto the stand. The top of the stand is 45" high plus the tank room floor is 5" higher then where it is sitting so a hydraulic lift cannot roll up to the stand.


tank room 9.JPG tank room 10.JPG tank room 11.JPG Tank room 12.JPG tank room 13.JPG
 
Thank you everyone! She was very strong. Hope I could do half as well as she did.
So, all of the electrical is complete. 5 - 20A, GFCI circuits. Installed the Wet location In Use covers. Sink has been in for a while, hot and cold water. The cove base tile is installed except for the corner cuts. I will try to break out the wet saw this evening so that is complete.
Here is my plan for Saturday/Sunday:
1. Cut sheet rock (tank room side only) to uncover framed opening in wall.
2. Lift and position stand in room in final location.
3. Lay the mosaic floor tile. (Saturday)
4. Grout tile. (Sunday)
After this weekend it should actually look like something. Still very concerned about how to lift the tank that high and set it.

office wall opening.JPG


stand powder 1.jpg
 
I just looked at the first post. August 5, 2015. OMG, over a year and a half. I just arranged for one of the contractors working in the neighborhood that has a Bobcat to install his forks, drive into my garage, lift the pallet with the tank, move it four feet forward so that we can slide it off onto the stand.
 
Going to be a great build!
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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