300 Gallon in-wall build.

Hey all. My family and I moved back to the QCA from Virginia Beach a few months ago and I am finally getting ready to start a new system. Needless to say...we are pretty excited!!! Previous tank was a 220 that was sold prior to moving because I didn't want to move it across country. Most things for the new system have been ordered or have already arrived. This will be in the basement on a concrete floor so weight won't be an issue. I ordered a 300DD about 6 weeks ago (was supposed to take 2 weeks), but I guess Mainland is in the process of moving facilities and everything is slow right now. The tank is 72x36x27. I ordered a new 125 gallon for the sump and ordered glass from local company for baffles which I just finished installing last night. I am making a wood stand for it this weekend. Electrician is also coming this weekend to install a couple of 30 amp breakers for the fish room to have its own electrical system. He also has to move a some current outlets/light switches that are where the aquarium will go.

Pics are of:
1. Wall where aquarium will go.
2. The fish room area for all equipment.
3. Sump
4. A few goodies that arrived today.
-Reef Octopus Regal 300 INT DC skimmer with swabbie neck cleaner
-Theiling roller mat (decided to give it a try)
-Apex Fusion (had classic apex on last system and loved it)

Thanks for looking. Please feel free to make suggestions!
-Tom

 

The unfinished part of the basement is BIG, and I am only using a corner where the false wall (for the finished basement) meets the foundation corner. I am waiting until electrician finishes Saturday to put up the mold resistant dry wall to cover the insulation you see in the pictures. The electrician is going to put in 5 quad outlets. 1 above the tank, 1 below the tank, and 3 along the wall where the sump, RO, and most of the equipment will be plugged in.

 

We have an older dehumidifier, but it is small. I think I am going to get a new larger system. That was all I was planning to reduce moisture. I figure if moisture is still an issue beyond what dehumidifier can handle, I will address it as need.

 

The tall baffle is where I was going to have the returns go into and then flow over into filter sock setup. I installed that before I bought the role mat, so I thin I am going to take it out. Where do you have your fan vet to? I will ask the electrician tomorrow about installing one.

 

Tank finally came in yesterday and is currently in my trailer. I am going to have to carry it around back of house through the basement. That should be interesting! I have began to use the epoxy/cement to start building the aquascape. This is a time consuming process because you have to mix a small amount of cement, put a few pieces together, and then let it dry for several hours before continuing. I did get some moisture resistant drywall put up this evening and I also Put the skimmer together. This thing is massive. I thought it was going to be the same size as SRO 5000INT. Nope. It is way bigger. Takes up a lot more sump room than I thought it would. I have cleared my schedule this weekend and I am hoping to make the stand, cut the hole in wall, get the RO system/station set up, and hopefully get enough friends to help carry the aquarium in on Sunday.

Electrician came last weekend. He ended up installing 2 quad outlets on the wall, and an outlet above aquarium for lighting. All on 1 breaker. I figures since I will be running an apex, I wouldn't need a ton of outlets.

Joe form Coral Haven was good enough to come over and walk through my plans/layout with me last week. He gave me a couple of great idea's, especially about plumbing. As far as the moisture control issue, both Joe and the Electrician said that because the unfinished part of the basement (where equipment will be) is 1900 square feet, a dehumidifier would be sufficient. If it is not than I will put in an exhaust fan at that point.

I will update more as I make progress. As always, feedback is very welcome!

 

I am only going to run one overflow through the roller mat and the other directly into sump to see how I like the roller mat. If it works well I will get one for the other overflow.

 

Didn't get as much accomplished as I had hoped this weekend, but I did get the hole cut into the wall, stand built and painted, stand for RO containers built, and stand for roller mat built. I dod not get the tank moved in. I do have a question. I was planning on running an external pump with a series of valves between the 2 water storage tanks to transfer water and recirculate salt mix. However, once I built the stand, I think I can just gravity feed the sump for water changes and use a smaller internal pump to recirculate water in the salt bin. Any thoughts on either method?

 

Got the aquarium in the house! Hopefully have time to start plumbing this week.

 

Couple of new pics. Moving along, but still lots to do! Worked on the RO storage tanks/mixing station tonight and they are filling now.