Let there be....300 Gallon 's

[Bud8Fan]

Here is a few shots of the split canopy (two pieces so I dont need help removing it)

Very nice! I wish mine had doors, would come in handy for feeding time. I need to stand on a chair as it is now.

 

[sp33dstix]

Depending on your stock list, you might need two FX5 or a cheaper route would be a large sump. And someone correct me, but you might need more than two 300w heaters.


BTW, I've got (3) 5" Red Hook Silver Dollars if you want them(FREE), they will be store credit within the next month!


Oh, one ?........ how was your buying experience with glasscages? I'm sure you have heard the numerous amounts of bashing towards their ability to build tanks and work with customers. I'm just curious if they have stepped up to overcome their history.

Thanks

I would say he would need more heaters depending on where he keeps the aquarium. If it is in a heated room that is above 20 degrees Celcius I think it would be fine. If it was in a colder drafty room then more heaters would be necessary. Always best to see how well it heats with no fish in it first.

Wish I could grab those Silver Dollars from you though.

Take Care

 

[Nicksplosion]

you should build a nice sump for such a nice set up.

 

[sp33dstix]

Just wondering are you lining the space between the base of the aquarium and the stand with styrofoam? I always heard that if you get a tank bigger then 50G that you should do that to avoid warping the aquarium.

Awesome awesome aquarium. Too bad you couldn't use that poster as a background.

 

[seangtat2kc]

i didn't have time to read all six pages so forgive me if this sounds redundant. There is no way your going to be able filter a 300 gallon tank with 1 fx-5. Full with media it only cycles 600 gallons an hour which would be a turnover rate of 2x per hour. Not even close to sufficient. The tank size being 300 gallons, I imagine you will stock it with large fish which in return produce a huge bio mass. I would suggest a turnover rate of 10 times per hour or 3000gph. Plus have a huge surface area for bio. Bio balls are good but can be somewhat pricey. Try nylon pot scrubbies. you can pick them up at dollar general. They have more surface area don't clog easy and are inexpensive. The easiest way would be to build a sump. You can still use your fx-5 and the two hang as additional help. It's always better to have to much then to little. I use 7 250watt stealth heater in my sump to keep constant temp for 450gallons so you might need more heaters. If you have any questions on sump set up feel free to shoot me an e-mail.

 

[djdlemma]

Looking good!! Keep the picts coming!!!

 

[Bud8Fan]

Don't get carried away on the heaters. I have a 300 gallon tank and a 200 gallon sump. I use one 300w titanium and one 200w titanium and it heats the tank just fine. Room temp in Winter is 68F and water temp is kept at 79F. The controller shows the heaters are off much more often than they are on.

Here is a very accurate calculator for finding minimum wattage.
http://boonedocks.net/fishtank/ftweb.php

I'm not going to argue surface area for bio, the more the better.
But 10x turnover is not necessarily needed. I'm running a single Mag Drive 2400 through my sump setup and after head loss I'm probably only getting around 1000 gph out of it. Versus the tank that is 3 1/3x and versus the total volume it is 2x. My ammonia and nitrites are ALWAYS zero.

I do plan on adding a closed loop system with 2 Ocean Clears and a UV powered by a ReeFlo Barracuda pump soon to add another 1000 gph. This will be for water polishing only though.

 

[SeverumSeeker]

Thanks again for all the comments. Its nice to know your work and set up is appreciated.
Now to answer a few questions that have been asked.

Right now, I have three 250w Stealth Heaters.
I am going to give them a shot and see if I need anymore. I dont think I will, but if I do, I will buy them.

I am not going to use a sump because I just dont trust HOB overflows.
I wished a thousand times that I would of got my tank drilled, but I did not.
So Canisters is the way I am going.
I have already ordered a Eheim 2262 Canister that will be here on Friday.
That, with my two Emp. 400's will be enough filtration for a little while.
My stock will be small for a while. Some Severums and a few other South/Central American Chiclids.
After they get growing, and my pockets fill with some more Money, I will buy another Canister. So yes, two canisters are in my future for my 300g. Along with the two Emp 400's.

The question was asked if I used foam between the tank and stand...
Absolutely.
I have never set up a tank without foam. Usually half inch foam.
But I used 1 inch foam on the 300g.
It may not do a thing for tank. But it makes me sleep better at night because I believe it takes out stress that may be caused by a un-perfect stand.

I picked up some more driftwood today and some plants (fake), so hopefully after I get those in and the Eheim running, I will have more pics to post.

Man, I love my new tank... Its a MONSTER!!!!

 

[angelo21]

nice!

 

[svtim]

i love the canopy i want one on my 265 but not enough ceiling space left. Also i only use 1 500 watt titanium heater and does just fine my basement is at 65 in winter and the tank stays at 78.