pa1ntbru5h's 300+ Gallon Build Thread

[pa1ntbru5h]

Hello everyone!

Let's start with the specs..

Tank:
Crystal Dynamics
96" x 32" x 24" 3 sided Starphire (1/2" glass)
36" Modular Marine external overflow
Double eurobrace on top
Glass bracing on bottom
Stainless steel bracing on top and bottom
Reinforced corner seams
Full length Starboard bottom

Stand and Canopy:
Crystal Dynamics
96" x 32" x 36"
Custom steel stand with epoxy coating
Wood wrapped ("Shaker" style) in white
Electronic panel built in
Acrylic drip tray


Some of you may know me, some maybe not.
I'm not super vocal on here but I've posted from time to time.

I wanted to start a build thread for my new tank.
Mainly I just want to be able to look back on the tank's progress because this will be my biggest and craziest build and possibly my last!

Follow along if you can keep up! It'll be lengthy because I want to document my thoughts and why I chose certain companies/products.

I just recently put in my order with Crystal Dynamics and they gave me a lead time of approximately 3-4 months.

It took me a few months of talking to different tank makers to make my decision. Originally I was pretty set with Reef Savvy because I wanted the best of the best. In the end, I didn't go with them because I felt Crystal Dynamics' customer service was just on a completely different level.

Before I get into it, I want to make it clear that I have zero affiliation with any of these companies. This is just my personal experience.

Zoya from Crystal Dynamics was extremely helpful and always responds in a timely manner. 90% of the time I would get a response in a few hours. The thing that stood out to me most was that not only do you get a response, you get a thorough response! She answered all my questions and provided even more information that I didn't ask for which made me very confident with my decision to choose Crystal Dynamics as my tank maker. It was very easy to bounce ideas back and forth and not have to wait a week for a reply!

Okay so let's talk about the tank!
I decided to go with a 96 x 32 x 24 which is about 320 gallons.
This is honestly way bigger than I originally imagined.
When I first started planning out the tank I was thinking 72 x 30 x 24 which is approx. 225 gallons.
Once I marked the space where the tank would go in my house, I quickly realized that the 6 ft tank would look way too small.

To give some perspective, the wall I wanted to place the tank on is about 16 feet in length. It's a pretty big wall. The 6 ft against that looked out of place.
So I marked out an 8 ft space which looked much better! 8 ft it is!

I wanted a tank that would last me forever or at least as long as I'm living in this house. I mentioned to CD that I wanted the tank to be extra sturdy. The last thing I want is to come home to 320 gallons on my floor.

They gave me a few options: upgrade glass thickness to 5/8" on the two sides, upgrade glass thickness to 5/8" all around, use stainless steel bracing, or a combination of the above.

Zoya and Trent both assured me that they wouldn't build anything that they weren't comfortable with. They were perfectly confident in building the tank with 1/2" glass but I wanted to go a little further and add the stainless steel bracing for that extra rigidity and piece of mind. I was worried that the SS bracing would take away from the look of the tank but Trent said it would be hidden in the stand and canopy. Perfect!

[ycnibrc]

Hey Stephen I regret my tank with 24" height especially if u do Sps. My tank is only 2.5 years and it's already running out of space. if u running led go with 28" or 30" tall


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[ycnibrc]

Look at the Coral height unless u are only keeping zoa n bounce.


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[pa1ntbru5h]

Hey Anthony!

I actually like shallow look. I don't plan on having too many stags either hahaha.
I'm not a fan of tall tanks. For me the most important thing is having enough front to back depth for the rockscape.

I do plan on keeping mixed reef so I'll be putting softies and lps at the bottom.

[ycnibrc]

Cool


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[marfuerte]

Now that is a dream tank! I'm really interested in the steel bracing and look forward to pics. Thanks for the thread.

[pa1ntbru5h]

Originally Posted by marfuerte

Now that is a dream tank! I'm really interested in the steel bracing and look forward to pics. Thanks for the thread.

Thanks! I'll try my best to keep the thread updated! The updates will most likely come slowly since the tank is still being built. I'm still in the planning stage for the sump and equipment.

[ycnibrc]

I'm upgrade my Cal reactor by November if u want a geo 818 let me know.

[pa1ntbru5h]

Originally Posted by ycnibrc

I'm upgrade my Cal reactor by November if u want a geo 818 let me know.

Yeah keep me updated

[BeanMachine]

Awesome!

[hersheyb]

nice dimensions... since you're there already, u might as well go 36" width on the tank... guarantee you won't regret it.

[pa1ntbru5h]

Originally Posted by hersheyb

nice dimensions... since you're there already, u might as well go 36" width on the tank... guarantee you won't regret it.

I've definitely thought about it but 36" will stick out too much from the wall and block the walkway. 32" plus plumbing is about the furthest I'd want it to protrude from the wall.

[BeanMachine]

You would also have waited a year or more to get a Reef Savvy tank. Zoya is great.

What lighting are you going to go with?

[Cpeguero83]

Awesome! I just ordered my tank from CD last week. 84x30x24. I was originally planning an 8 foot tank, but my space actually dictated a smaller tank.

What are you planning for flow? Sump?

Zoya is awesome! Have exchanged several emails with her and got to chat with her and Trent at MACNA! That’s was actually the final deciding factor in going with them. Great conversations and thorough answers in person.


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[pa1ntbru5h]

Originally Posted by BeanMachine

You would also have waited a year or more to get a Reef Savvy tank. Zoya is great.

What lighting are you going to go with?

Yup. Reef Savvy quoted me a 7-8 month lead time.

For now the plan is 8 Radion XR30 G4 Pros plus T5 supplements in front and back.

[pa1ntbru5h]

Originally Posted by Cpeguero83

Awesome! I just ordered my tank from CD last week. 84x30x24. I was originally planning an 8 foot tank, but my space actually dictated a smaller tank.

What are you planning for flow? Sump?

Zoya is awesome! Have exchanged several emails with her and got to chat with her and Trent at MACNA! That’s was actually the final deciding factor in going with them. Great conversations and thorough answers in person.


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Congrats!!

Not 100% sure on flow yet but most likely 2 MP60QD on each side plus a few MP40 on the back wall behind the rocks.

Currently looking at Abyzz and Panta Rhei also lol

Not really sure on sump.. I definitely want something big with a large enough ATO reservoir to last me 1.5 - 2 weeks.
I know that's a lot especially with this large of a tank but I want to be able to go on vacation knowing whoever is tank sitting doesn't need to do anything but feed the fish.

I actually took a trip down to Oceanside to check out their shop and talk to them in person. I really wanted to see some of their tanks and talk to them in person. Zoya and Trent are very knowledgeable!

[tom7434]

CD must be on a roll. I too ordered a CD tank, 72x24x24. I ordered mine at the show.


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[pa1ntbru5h]

Originally Posted by tom7434

CD must be on a roll. I too ordered a CD tank, 72x24x24. I ordered mine at the show.


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Awesome! Congrats!

[BeanMachine]

Originally Posted by pa1ntbru5h

Yup. Reef Savvy quoted me a 7-8 month lead time.

For now the plan is 8 Radion XR30 G4 Pros plus T5 supplements in front and back.

That will be killer. I blew my budget up otherwise I'd had gone with Radions as well.

[vuqchu]

Woah...baller. Just posting so I can get the notification for updates.

[ycnibrc]

Originally Posted by vuqchu

Woah...baller. Just posting so I can get the notification for updates.

Lol go back to your nano hahaha

[Jamie1210]

Beautiful tank! Thanks for sharing!

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[rorroreef]

Congrats Stephen!!! This is gonna be an epic build. Following along.....any idea on fish wish list and coral stocking list?

[pa1ntbru5h]

Originally Posted by rorroreef

Congrats Stephen!!! This is gonna be an epic build. Following along.....any idea on fish wish list and coral stocking list?

Thanks!! I have a few fish that are definitely on my wish-list.
Borbonius Anthias, Sunburst Anthias, Hybrid Gold Rim Tang, Gem Tang, Lennardi Wrasse to name a few.

It'll be an SPS dominant mixed reef. Just a mixing pot of my favorites that I don't get tired of looking at. Doesn't necessarily need to be ultra high end, just needs to stand out and look cool! =D

[yeah]

Nice!! Can't wait to see some pics.