Crow's 300 Deep Dimensions Build

[Crow]

Hello,
After being in and out of the saltwater reef hobby for more then 18 years, with my last system consisting of a 300g display and a 150g sump system, I figured it was time to get back in to the hobby.
When looking for a new tank I wanted something at least 6 foot wide and something deep, So I picked the Marineland 300 gallon deep dimensions tank. I placed my order with Pat at Amazon Stingrays here in Michigan on Sept 14th, 2011. After looking around for a stand and canopy for this tank, Marineland wanted like $1,500 for there setup (Stand and Canopy Only). Well screw that noise, So I planned on making my own, I mean, Hell how hard could it be?

Below are some pictures of the stand being built, I will be waiting till I get the tank to make the canopy, but for now this is what I have done so far.
Since I do not do any type of wood working, first thing I needed was to buy a Miter saw to make all my cuts, and all the cuts that would need a table saw such as the oak skin's I had Home depot cut all them.

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New Miter Saw:

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The top and bottom rails are done:

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Then it was time to work on the uprights that would hold the tank up, I decided to use "pocket" holes to secure all the lumber together. I picked up a pocket hole jig.

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I pre-drilled all the pocket holes I'd need, only to find out after that the holes were way too close to the end of the wood and not giving me much wood at the end, so this wonderful pocket hole jig I bought was a bust.

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So I modded the jig, this allowed me to place the jig at any height and allow me to get more wood at the end for a better grip, without splitting the wood.

[Crow]

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So now I have all my uprights done for the second time.

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Two images showing the framing, Yes there was two (2x4) uprights added to the back, and one (2x6) in the front.:

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Now its time to start skinning the stand, I am using 1/4th thick red oak sheeting.

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And here is the done product with all three sides done, I still need to cut the door openings, and add trim to make it look pretty!

[Crow]

Well over the past few days I have been working on the stand to finish it up before the tank gets here...

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Added the trim, nothing too fancy, just something to give it a nice look.

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All stained up and ready to go into the house, once it all drys..
(Tip, If you are going to silicone the bottom so that any water will stay in the bottom of your stand, caulk it after you are done staining.
I didn't think about this, as you can see in the picture above the stain doesn't stick to the silicone.. DOH!)

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All done and in the house. Just need to order some cabinet doors next week to finish the stand.

[Crow]

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Finished my stand, it turned out pretty good, I saved a ton doing the stand myself...
I ended up just making my own doors, I had the wood, and was having too much fun with my new power tools.

[Crow]

After seeing the prices of acrylic sumps and even glass sump systems I decided to make my own, and as this build goes on, I am doing more and more DIY projects.
And for the most part things are coming out pretty darn good if I do say so myself!, and I am saving tons of cash doing these projects instead of buying.

So I called a round and found a place not too far from my house called "Acrylic Specialties and Plastics" in Madison Heights, MI, and Ron hooked me up with a good price and even cut the sheets to size for me. If you are looking for a good price on acrylic contact these guys and tell them "Crow" sent ya..

The sump will be 60x24x18
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My pre-cut acrylic sheets.

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Placing the first panel, making sure it is square.

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Needing to make sure everything is square with both ends and sides..

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Sump box finished, next is to decide where I want to place the baffles, and get those in..

[Crow]

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Placing the first of nine pieces that I will be putting inside the sump..
I am using an old Bashsea pump from my old system to put some weight on the panels to get a good seem.

[Crow]

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Well the sump is now finished, tho I am thinking of adding a sock filter holder on the right side, now 100% if I want to just yet. What do you thing?

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I think I built it a bit bigger then I should of, the only way I was able to place the sump into the stand was to remove one of the uprights in the back and slip it in that way.

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Leak testing the sump in the house... Yeah I am that confident! lol

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Approx water in sump...

[Crow]

I ordered my skimmer and return pump from AquaCave, I got my return pump today, my skimmer is on back order, they are saying two weeks.
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I am going with a Reef Octopus Water Blaster HY-10000W, and for a skimmer I went with a Reef Octopus SRO-5000INT.

[crazyfizh]

looks good so far one thing that i noticed on the stand did you add a 2x4 in the cornor that goes from top to bottom and or a cross brace on the top for center support.the 2x4 in the cornor will make the stand a bit more riddged from front to back movement and the center brace is not 100 percent needed but just added support.

[Crow]

looks good so far one thing that i noticed on the stand did you add a 2x4 in the cornor that goes from top to bottom and or a cross brace on the top for center support.the 2x4 in the cornor will make the stand a bit more riddged from front to back movement and the center brace is not 100 percent needed but just added support.

Yes I do have a center support going from the front to the back, I did not add the extra 2x4 in the corners, I spoke with "RocketEngineer" and he stated that the extra 2x4 was not needed.
I know once you add the "Skin" to the sides and front, it will add support from front to back movement as well as side to side. Once the tank is placed on the stand I'll see if there is any movement, and if there is even the slightest, I'll add more supports, since once its full of water even the slightest movement will be amplified. :(

[crazyfizh]

Do you have your tank yet

[Crow]

Do you have your tank yet

Nope

Ordered it on Sept 14th, and still no tank... I was told it might be here this tuesday (Nov 1st).

[crazyfizh]

any news yet in your tank and did you oreder a standard tank or custom

[Crow]

any news yet in your tank and did you oreder a standard tank or custom

Yeah the news is that it didn't show up!
I ordered a standard 300g deep dimensions from marineland. It is now week 7, I guess I'll have to see if it comes in next tuesday.

[Crow]

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YAY! My skimmer showed up, It's been on back order for almost 3 weeks.

[Crow]

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My Reef Octopus SRO 5000INT

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In my DIY sump, I had to make a skimmer stand because this skimmer works best at a 6" water depth. But now I am a little worried that its to close to the bottom of the tank, Will have to wait till the tank gets here to see.

[crazyfizh]

i ahd mine on order for about 10 weeks before i got mine

[Crow]

I am so pissed right now....
My tank order was placed on Sept 12th, but marineland didn't get the order for the tank till Oct 28th, and it takes from 4-6 weeks for marineland to make the tank, then ship it out to the distributor, then it takes the distributor a week or so to send it out to the store..

So I am now looking at a total of 15 weeks (that is worse case, but even best case is a total of 13 weeks)!
I should get the tank by Dec 16th.

[Crow]

IT ARRIVED!!!
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The tank was delivered to the LFS today (Nov 23rd), and I hope to have the tank delivered to my house on sunday (Nov 27th).
I'm as happy as a fat kid with cake!

[crazyfizh]

Now you can have your cake and eat it too lol:d
congrats on the tank keep takeing pictures can not wait too see how it turns out.