300 gallon SA/CE community build thread!!

[Jc1119]

Wow that acrylic skin is pretty pro. It looks amazing and so does your tank and plumbing work! I love the controller you got and is probably what I will do with my future monster that I plan on setting up. I love all things tech and to mix it with my fish keeping hobby is a natural progression for me.. haha! Is your controller the Apex Lite? What other modules did you get? It looks like you got the 4 & 8 energy bar's.. anything else? Also if you dont mind me asking how much was the tank and stand from Midwest?

Yeah, it's the apex lite with 4&8 energy bars. Ph probe and temp probe. It's the basic setup for now would like to eventually add the dimmer module for the lights.

Tank was $1900 and stand was about $1300. Not cheap, but they were both done exactly how I wanted them, so in the end it was well worth it.

Thanks for the compliments!

 

[Jc1119]

I like the placement of your overflow boxes and the rectangular openings. Chris must have modified things (for the better) over the years. Our 300 gallon tank is nearly 6 yrs old, and the overflow boxes are close to the side wall, making it very difficult to clean the corners.

Thanks! Actually, Chris tried to get me to do it the way yours are but I convinced him otherwise lol. I had him move the boxes for a couple of reasons.

First, I wanted the inside edge of the boxes to line up close to the outside edges of the sump. Since I was running three holes per box, I wanted to keep the returns and emergency drains very short and mostly moving vertically as opposed to horizontally. The main drains run Herbie style wouldn't matter much because flow or the length of the runs would be a non issue. I swear my gate valve is only open about 10%.

Secondly, I knew ahead of time that I was only going to light the center of the tank with a 48" strip because I wanted the sides of the tank to be mostly in the shadows. Provides more of a natural reatreat for fish to chill in, out of the light. Plus, I wanted to try to build what eventually will resemble stumps with wood positioned around the boxes. Still working on it, but even now, you really can't see much of the boxes from the front view at all. It basically adds two more zones for the fish.

Chris told me it would change the shape of the lids, but I honestly could care less about them. I really only use the center one anyways. The outside two holes stay open. All in all, he did exactly what I asked him to and couldn't ask for a better job on the build. He'll be getting all my future business for sure. I'm a big fan of his work.!!

 

[pacu mom]

Your modifications are a definite improvement, IMO.

 

[Jc1119]

Your modifications are a definite improvement, IMO.

Thanks! I'm very happy for sure

 

[ThatKidCash]

Any updates brother?

 

[Jc1119]

Any updates brother?

Well, a few since its all up and running. I added the xp2 and phosban reactor filled with purigen. Seems to be working nicely. I also added a Tetra ap300 with a large arirstone. I have it set now to only come on at night just because I dont want to add any more noise to the system during the day. Eventually when I get the Aquacontroller setup, Ill have the airpump and fans programmed to kick on at about 84 degrees. Living in Orlando I battle heat more than I battle cold and the fans and air can drop my tank as much as 3 degrees. Ideally, Id like tank sit at about 80........

 

[Jc1119]

Lighting is starting to take a bit of shape as well. Originally I was only going to use a single 48"dual t5 strip in the middle and leave the outsides dark. The outsides are just a little too dark, so im adding a few 15w strips around the tank. One on ether end and two behind the t5's at the back of the tank. Colors and bulbs are just for reference since I havent decided on those yet. Right now I have dawn(dusk), midday and lunar settings and all off. Eventually, Ill add the dimming module to the Apex and Ill be able to fade in and out of everything. I think the software allows you to be able to simulate the seasons as well. Havent dug in that far yet, but the possibilties are pretty cool

7 days of stablity just to be safe and Im at about 10ppm nitrate. Been feeding pretty heavy to make sure the plecos are getting some food at night. Tank houses a 5" L204 thats super aggressive and a 5"L147 thats very laid back and spends alot of time out in the open during the day. The rest of the fish for now are:

1 6" Barred Midas
1 6"Parachromis Loisellei
1 5"Jack dempsey
1 4"Green terror
1 4" Firemouth
1 3" Convict
1 6" rainbow shark
6 3" silver dollars

The festae you see in a few pics has since been moved to a 60 gallon to put on some more size before joining the group. Shes almost the smallest (3.5") of the lot and was getting chased alot by the gt and firemouth. Too much chasing for longterm health to not be affected. Ill probably keep her in the 60 till the end of the year and see whos going to stay in the 300 and who isnt. Most likely Ill pull the con and firemouth out around then if things start to get weird. Everyone else gets along really well in the new added space. Midas runs the tank and everyone knows it and for now its pretty peaceful.

Also getting a new camera in a few weeks. Current camera is the worst. Ill be adding alot of pics when that happens of individual stock

 

[Columbian Shark Catfish]

Awesomeee

 

[Kyle_91]

Just read the whole build thread and this here, is amazing work man! The whole setup is amazing

 

[Jc1119]

Just read the whole build thread and this here, is amazing work man! The whole setup is amazing

Thanks man! I really appreciate it. Its been an awesome process seeing what works and what doesn't. The best thing, by far, about waiting for a custom tank is the time it gives you to think out and mostly assemble everything ahead of time. By the time the tank arrived, I was ready to roll and everything had been through a dry run for fittment and performance. it was pretty much plug and play.

August should be a blast getting the tank(controller) online. Ill be diving into the timers and lighting. I'll program heaters, fans and the airpump. Each can be set come come on and go off at certain temps. All accessible from my laptop or iPhone. Total control.

Might have to get a webcam........

And an autochanger so I can watch water changes from Italy...lol