Ambitious 300g project

OrionM · Feb 11, 2024

Hello all. Starting my journal on this project. I have had a couple of tanks before, but its been over 15 years and nothing as ambitious as this one. We have been renovating our house for years, and I restructured the living room to house an in-wall tank. The first picture is the display view from the living room, and the others show the "closet" i built behind it with access from the garage. I put two separate circuits in the room during electrical, and as you can see, added a utility sink for cleanup and so water supply and wastewater is near by. I built a powder-coated metal stand into the framing that I got from ECon Welding. There is an HVAC register in there so that there should be a general equality of temperature. I just added that piece of 3/4" Advantech subflooring for the decking, as we used it during the house build and that stuff is great.

I may need to add some thin Hardiboard where you can see the back side of the living room sheetrock exposed above and below, or paint it with some moisture resistant paint like we did the studs that are in black. Otherwise, hopefully I am done with the infrastructure.

So the rough opening is enough to house a 96l x24w x30h display. I have now been spending many hours reading this forum and watching BRS videos to develop the rest of the plan. Other than the tank size, I "know" that I want:

- Exterior overflow tank, probably on the side just above the sink;
- Fleece roller, probably the Red Sea one, for large particles;
- Protein skimmer;
- A refugium. I really like the idea of that being part of the ecosystem;
- The lighting on a hinged bracket that can be tilted up against the wall above for clear access over the tank.

Otherwise, I am still completely in research mode and open to different paths. I had read about various reactors, algae scrubbers, bio balls and the like, but I don't want to make a rookie mistake of adding too many different things right away. And as I have not yet developed what stock I want outside of stating generically a "mixed reef tank" I don't even know what extras I need, and from what I read, may not know for a couple of years while the tank matures. The only for-sure on stock, is the pair of clownfish I have in a 15g holding tank that I took from my step-son when he broke his tank down a while back to move, and they are desperate for better accommodations.

Right now my biggest concern is trying to understand and get the right amount of flow, and thus the sump. The carboard cutout on the floor in the 2nd picture is me trying to see if the dimensions of the Bashsea Pro Series 60 could be angled in (it can't

). Because it is a metal stand, there is no removing the brace, which leaves me with only about 43" from the back, a bit more with a much smaller amount of angle-ing. If I get a sump that is no more than 16" wide/deep (the Bashsea is 18"), I should be able get it in through the opening on the end, although then it will have to be angled upward, because the wall is only about 4" from the end, just outside the picture.

So I am on the hunt for the perfect sump that is large enough to handle that size of display but that I can get under the stand. I may have to get a custom one built. I am not going to skimp on this as I have been want to do this for years, so something like a Hmahli won't scare me off, but I am more afraid of not really knowing what to tell them I need that is "future-proof" enough for my inevitable mistakes.

Then my next step/worry is the tank itself, not necessarily the buying of it, but I want to hire someone to drill the holes for the overflow tank (and I haven't determined holes for the return), and deliver it and get it into place. But I don't want to hire a turnkey installer; I am excited about putting the puzzle together myself. The plumbing for example doesn't worry me, and as I am pretty handy, I know I could drill the holes, I just really, really don't want to. There is a video online of a guy drilling the holes on his tank and he pushes through with the bit too hard at the end and chips everything up. It gives me nightmares. So I need to source someone to prep the display and get it in place so I can take over from there.

So this is the start...thanks for reading. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

Gumbies R Us · Feb 12, 2024

Following along!

Devaji · Feb 12, 2024

Hell yeah!
I almost did a 300 gal. too. but for a few different reasons went with the IM 200. mostly because it came with a metal stand I like. anyway, thins is exciting.

maybe I missed this but is this going to be a reef or FOWLR ?
that 30" high might be a PITA to reach the bottom.

that is going to be one nice looking tank when it up and running!!

oh and for sump look in to life reef stuff. he custom makes all the stuff so you can get what you want. I hear great thinking about there skimmers. never used one but been thinking of one for many many years.

OrionM · Jun 1, 2024

Update:

So progress has been super slow due to other life obligations, but also I have been reading and watching videos endlessly trying to learn with all the moving parts to something like this, and so taking my time.

I finally decided the most logical starting point was at the beginning with clean water, so I got the BRS 7 stage RODI and set it up. I knew that my pressure is bad at my house, but when I went to run the RODI the first time found out it was a miserable 30 psi. So I ordered their booster pump kit and it appears to be working well now, coming in right at 88 psi. Tubes are just feeding into the sink right now while I sort out how to set up an ATO.

I have also gone ahead and purchased the ReefMat1200 and the Octo Regal 250SSS skimmer after doing a bunch of reading and deciding on those products.
After doing a bunch of searching on here, I came across Poseidon's Creations and like the look of their sumps. I talked to Yuri on the phone earlier this week about what I am trying to accomplish and he is putting a quote together this week for sump and matching ATO reservoir. His lead time is about 7 weeks so this will take a while, but hopefully we can reach agreement.

Tenecor Aquariums · Jun 1, 2024

OrionM said:
Hello all. Starting my journal on this project. I have had a couple of tanks before, but its been over 15 years and nothing as ambitious as this one. We have been renovating our house for years, and I restructured the living room to house an in-wall tank. The first picture is the display view from the living room, and the others show the "closet" i built behind it with access from the garage. I put two separate circuits in the room during electrical, and as you can see, added a utility sink for cleanup and so water supply and wastewater is near by. I built a powder-coated metal stand into the framing that I got from ECon Welding. There is an HVAC register in there so that there should be a general equality of temperature. I just added that piece of 3/4" Advantech subflooring for the decking, as we used it during the house build and that stuff is great.

I may need to add some thin Hardiboard where you can see the back side of the living room sheetrock exposed above and below, or paint it with some moisture resistant paint like we did the studs that are in black. Otherwise, hopefully I am done with the infrastructure.

So the rough opening is enough to house a 96l x24w x30h display. I have now been spending many hours reading this forum and watching BRS videos to develop the rest of the plan. Other than the tank size, I "know" that I want:

- Exterior overflow tank, probably on the side just above the sink;
- Fleece roller, probably the Red Sea one, for large particles;
- Protein skimmer;
- A refugium. I really like the idea of that being part of the ecosystem;
- The lighting on a hinged bracket that can be tilted up against the wall above for clear access over the tank.

Otherwise, I am still completely in research mode and open to different paths. I had read about various reactors, algae scrubbers, bio balls and the like, but I don't want to make a rookie mistake of adding too many different things right away. And as I have not yet developed what stock I want outside of stating generically a "mixed reef tank" I don't even know what extras I need, and from what I read, may not know for a couple of years while the tank matures. The only for-sure on stock, is the pair of clownfish I have in a 15g holding tank that I took from my step-son when he broke his tank down a while back to move, and they are desperate for better accommodations.

Right now my biggest concern is trying to understand and get the right amount of flow, and thus the sump. The carboard cutout on the floor in the 2nd picture is me trying to see if the dimensions of the Bashsea Pro Series 60 could be angled in (it can't ). Because it is a metal stand, there is no removing the brace, which leaves me with only about 43" from the back, a bit more with a much smaller amount of angle-ing. If I get a sump that is no more than 16" wide/deep (the Bashsea is 18"), I should be able get it in through the opening on the end, although then it will have to be angled upward, because the wall is only about 4" from the end, just outside the picture.

So I am on the hunt for the perfect sump that is large enough to handle that size of display but that I can get under the stand. I may have to get a custom one built. I am not going to skimp on this as I have been want to do this for years, so something like a Hmahli won't scare me off, but I am more afraid of not really knowing what to tell them I need that is "future-proof" enough for my inevitable mistakes.

Then my next step/worry is the tank itself, not necessarily the buying of it, but I want to hire someone to drill the holes for the overflow tank (and I haven't determined holes for the return), and deliver it and get it into place. But I don't want to hire a turnkey installer; I am excited about putting the puzzle together myself. The plumbing for example doesn't worry me, and as I am pretty handy, I know I could drill the holes, I just really, really don't want to. There is a video online of a guy drilling the holes on his tank and he pushes through with the bit too hard at the end and chips everything up. It gives me nightmares. So I need to source someone to prep the display and get it in place so I can take over from there.

So this is the start...thanks for reading. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

We make two part split sumps for applications like this.

Rjukan · Jun 1, 2024

OrionM said:
Hello all. Starting my journal on this project. I have had a couple of tanks before, but its been over 15 years and nothing as ambitious as this one. We have been renovating our house for years, and I restructured the living room to house an in-wall tank. The first picture is the display view from the living room, and the others show the "closet" i built behind it with access from the garage. I put two separate circuits in the room during electrical, and as you can see, added a utility sink for cleanup and so water supply and wastewater is near by. I built a powder-coated metal stand into the framing that I got from ECon Welding. There is an HVAC register in there so that there should be a general equality of temperature. I just added that piece of 3/4" Advantech subflooring for the decking, as we used it during the house build and that stuff is great.

I may need to add some thin Hardiboard where you can see the back side of the living room sheetrock exposed above and below, or paint it with some moisture resistant paint like we did the studs that are in black. Otherwise, hopefully I am done with the infrastructure.

So the rough opening is enough to house a 96l x24w x30h display. I have now been spending many hours reading this forum and watching BRS videos to develop the rest of the plan. Other than the tank size, I "know" that I want:

- Exterior overflow tank, probably on the side just above the sink;
- Fleece roller, probably the Red Sea one, for large particles;
- Protein skimmer;
- A refugium. I really like the idea of that being part of the ecosystem;
- The lighting on a hinged bracket that can be tilted up against the wall above for clear access over the tank.

Otherwise, I am still completely in research mode and open to different paths. I had read about various reactors, algae scrubbers, bio balls and the like, but I don't want to make a rookie mistake of adding too many different things right away. And as I have not yet developed what stock I want outside of stating generically a "mixed reef tank" I don't even know what extras I need, and from what I read, may not know for a couple of years while the tank matures. The only for-sure on stock, is the pair of clownfish I have in a 15g holding tank that I took from my step-son when he broke his tank down a while back to move, and they are desperate for better accommodations.

Right now my biggest concern is trying to understand and get the right amount of flow, and thus the sump. The carboard cutout on the floor in the 2nd picture is me trying to see if the dimensions of the Bashsea Pro Series 60 could be angled in (it can't ). Because it is a metal stand, there is no removing the brace, which leaves me with only about 43" from the back, a bit more with a much smaller amount of angle-ing. If I get a sump that is no more than 16" wide/deep (the Bashsea is 18"), I should be able get it in through the opening on the end, although then it will have to be angled upward, because the wall is only about 4" from the end, just outside the picture.

So I am on the hunt for the perfect sump that is large enough to handle that size of display but that I can get under the stand. I may have to get a custom one built. I am not going to skimp on this as I have been want to do this for years, so something like a Hmahli won't scare me off, but I am more afraid of not really knowing what to tell them I need that is "future-proof" enough for my inevitable mistakes.

Then my next step/worry is the tank itself, not necessarily the buying of it, but I want to hire someone to drill the holes for the overflow tank (and I haven't determined holes for the return), and deliver it and get it into place. But I don't want to hire a turnkey installer; I am excited about putting the puzzle together myself. The plumbing for example doesn't worry me, and as I am pretty handy, I know I could drill the holes, I just really, really don't want to. There is a video online of a guy drilling the holes on his tank and he pushes through with the bit too hard at the end and chips everything up. It gives me nightmares. So I need to source someone to prep the display and get it in place so I can take over from there.

So this is the start...thanks for reading. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

Very cool build. My only suggestion is to build in some access to the tank from the front. I know how nice the clean lines look of just the tank through the wall, since I had one myself many years ago. But.. doing all of the service of the tank from the back is miserable.

cilyjr · Jun 1, 2024

Rjukan said:
Very cool build. My only suggestion is to build in some access to the tank from the front. I know how nice the clean lines look of just the tank through the wall, since I had one myself many years ago. But.. doing all of the service of the tank from the back is miserable.

This is the same advice I got when doing my in-wall. I followed it and was very happy. I would highly recommend anybody do the same thing. Put some kind of cabinetry over the top that allows frontal access.

OrionM · Oct 23, 2024

Update:

Still slow going, but another achievement. I reached agreement with Poseidon's Creations on a sump and ATO reservoir. They turned out great. Took him (Yuri) a couple of months and then he had a setback with his equipment, but he asked various questions about the equipment during design, sent me all the drawings to approve prior, then sent video of the water test prior to ship. In all, pleased with his customer service.

I got them about 3 weeks ago and then messed around putting 1/4" Hardibacker and moisture resistant paint on the wall side, and then trying to decide how I wanted to hang some LED's over them for when I need to do maintenance, which I finally got done today. You can see on the side I had to remove some of the wall to get it under the metal stand from the side. It was a tight fit, but now that it is in, I am maximizing the space, especially a nice large refugium. I put some of those common gym foam locking mats underneath to give a solid sit on the concrete. There is a great corals shop here in town, Austin Aqua Farms and the guy there Matt has given me a recommendation for getting the DT built, drilled and put in place, so that should be the next step. We will see how long that takes with life getting in the way.

I appreciate the comments/ advice about access from the front. However, ran it by la jefa, and I was told "no." I guess since I did cut a hole in her living room wall, I will have to abide.

Devaji · Oct 24, 2024

OrionM said:
Update:

Still slow going, but another achievement. I reached agreement with Poseidon's Creations on a sump and ATO reservoir. They turned out great. Took him (Yuri) a couple of months and then he had a setback with his equipment, but he asked various questions about the equipment during design, sent me all the drawings to approve prior, then sent video of the water test prior to ship. In all, pleased with his customer service.

I got them about 3 weeks ago and then messed around putting 1/4" Hardibacker and moisture resistant paint on the wall side, and then trying to decide how I wanted to hang some LED's over them for when I need to do maintenance, which I finally got done today. You can see on the side I had to remove some of the wall to get it under the metal stand from the side. It was a tight fit, but now that it is in, I am maximizing the space, especially a nice large refugium. I put some of those common gym foam locking mats underneath to give a solid sit on the concrete. There is a great corals shop here in town, Austin Aqua Farms and the guy there Matt has given me a recommendation for getting the DT built, drilled and put in place, so that should be the next step. We will see how long that takes with life getting in the way.

I appreciate the comments/ advice about access from the front. However, ran it by la jefa, and I was told "no." I guess since I did cut a hole in her living room wall, I will have to abide.