My 300g build

Reefin Dude · Mar 2, 2018

my 300g build thread already in progress.

CustomAquariums standard 300g with front and left side Low E. 4 H2Overflows for 2000gph CLS' behind the LR structure. 1 H2Overflow for filtration.

all water that goes into the overflow will be processed by the 80W UV, filter socks, and the dual Beckett skimmer. no water can go through the sump without passing through both filters.

additional flow by eductors on the return lines and 2 Wav pumps. one more additional pump will be utilized in the center when i decide which way i want to go. the center spot between the LR structures will be for a decent sized Squammie. i expect close to 20K gph when finished.

the bottom is FSB (Faux Sand Bed). the LR structure is completely hollow and held together using the FSB material.

rapid collection and removal of detritus is the primary goal of the system.

Picture time:

the location:

"secret" controller compartment on the side seen in the above picture:

the LED fixtures and ballast box:

tank front:

tank back:

tank lifted into place:

in place and test lit:

G~

Brew12 · Mar 2, 2018

Wow!!!! Never seen a tank moved in place fully scaped!

Fantastic!

JC Slater · Mar 2, 2018

Wow that’s a thing of beauty. Love the cabinetry work and how it blends in with the room. So nice and sleek! Best of luck with the system!

AlexStinson · Mar 2, 2018

Awesome, I am in the process of placing an order with customaquariums as well, for roughly the same size tank. Are you happy with the build quality?

ReefSapper · Mar 2, 2018

Looks beautiful, i will be following!

Reefin Dude · Mar 2, 2018

AlexStinson said:
Awesome, I am in the process of placing an order with customaquariums as well, for roughly the same size tank. Are you happy with the build quality?

yes. the build quality is very good. i have been super happy with them. they even let me keep the suction cups for a lot longer than i was suppose to. they even made a very minor mistake with one of the overflow boxes and they sent the correct one out free of charge and i send the wrong one back with the suction cups. Bob is who i worked with and was always willing to talk things through. i would definitely go through them again in the future.

the tank was extremely well crated.

G~

Reefin Dude · Mar 21, 2018

minor picture update.

hoping to add water this weekend.

sump area.

closet area at end of tank.

minor issue with my light wiring to the dimmer control, but should be able to fix that when i have a bit of time and not sorting out more important issues like getting that silly RO/DI where it belongs in the end closet.

G~

Reefin Dude · Mar 27, 2018

Day 2 of filling.

G~

Will Milberger · Mar 27, 2018

Very nice!

Reefin Dude · May 1, 2018

Finally got it full of RO/DI water. lots of minor leaks as i learned how to glue with SuperFlex PVC. when i use SuperFlex again, i will wait until the summer when i can get the ends straight before glueing. Superflex is so flexible that it is real easy to not get perfect 90 degree cuts. if they are not perfect they can cause a gap in the end of the fitting.

plenty of dust and bubbles from playing with the skimmer in this shot.

i had to take the top trim off to get better access while i fixed one of the annoying leaks.

a quick freshwater skimmer test:

the skimmer is quieter than i thought it would be. quieter than other beckett driven skimmers i have used in the past. according to my flow meter i am moving 980gph through the skimmer. the return pump is moving 880gph. exactly what i was hoping. no water can go through the sump without getting skimmed. all water going through the sump will go through an 80W UV, filter sock, and then through the skimmer before being returned.

unfortunately the pump i have for the skimmer is a bit worn out. i have an iwaki Japanese motor on the way to replace it.

G~