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270 gallon build

Bryce.martin23

Bryce.martin23

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Just wanted to introduce myself along with my tank build. Bit of a slow build but nothing good comes from moving fast in a reef right lol. Anyways the tank is an Advanced Acrylics external overflow 70'' L x 32'' D x 28'' H custom made to fit the house we previously lived in. Just moved and if I would of known I would of opted for a 450 display....ohhh well. Sump is also Advanced Acrylics with a 36'' refugium section, skimmer section, return. Im a fan of natural filtration and no filter socks. I do have one sock in there for purposes of vacuuming the sand as much as I would like. To the right of the tank will be a cryptic sump that drains to fuge. Stand is a custom stand built by me over the months. I will warn yah its gonna be a slow burn till you see images of the tank wet but im very close to the finish line, just lots of work days ahead of me and I refuse to fabricate and build a system when im mentally tired as I cant put my best foot forward.

Day1: First batch of raw aluminum tubing ready to work with. Little did I know the stand will get way more wild than I expected so two more runs of aluminum stock had to be ordered.
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Cut and rough shape, all edges 45' and beveled so weld beads are flush to surface for minimal finish work.
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Super cool stand work! I'm a little confused though. Super cool stand work then your tank is filled with rock and sand sitting on 2 sawhorses?

I assume that's starboard underneath, but no concerns about the presumably temporary setup sagging and causing tank issues? I did a temporary setup with mine while our flooring was getting done, and found the support wood I was using sagged, and now I'm permanently paranoid about the implications from when it was sitting that way.

Excited to see the rest though!
 
richiev said:
Super cool stand work! I'm a little confused though. Super cool stand work then your tank is filled with rock and sand sitting on 2 sawhorses?

I assume that's starboard underneath, but no concerns about the presumably temporary setup sagging and causing tank issues? I did a temporary setup with mine while our flooring was getting done, and found the support wood I was using sagged, and now I'm permanently paranoid about the implications from when it was sitting that way.

Excited to see the rest though!
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It’s sorta hodgepodge of pictures through the journey. Stand had to go back in the garage to get the side cabinets put on. That’s why the tank is on saw horses. I highly doubt it will sag in the vertical plane. You got 4 walls with a one piece euro brace and it’s 1” thick. I thought about the sagging thing at one point but then I thought about how strong this material is and it passed. I might just get another to be on the safe side but who knows.
 
Bryce.martin23 said:
It’s sorta hodgepodge of pictures through the journey. Stand had to go back in the garage to get the side cabinets put on. That’s why the tank is on saw horses. I highly doubt it will sag in the vertical plane. You got 4 walls with a one piece euro brace and it’s 1” thick. I thought about the sagging thing at one point but then I thought about how strong this material is and it passed. I might just get another to be on the safe side but who knows.
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From my experience, I'd toss another one under. Minimal to zero cost to do and can't hurt. If however it was to have sagging and weird seam pressure, who knows the implications. Even just a basic 2x4 standing vertically in the middle, though obviously harder with the sump in place. However, if you just kinda wedge it in, if you're right that it won't sag at all and the force is on the edges, then wedging a board in shouldn't really put any pressure on that board. If however there is some center pressure, then that board would be difficult to get out; yet if it does get difficult to get out then the board did it's job and helped!

Might be fine either way, but especially with the sand and rock in there I'd guess at a minimum that's a non optimal and a warranty voider.

Everything looks super great, so would be unfortunate if something did go awry.
 
Bryce.martin23 said:
After months of staring at it now I wish I went larger....story of the average reefer right?
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I feel it...I told myself this throughout the whole build. Then after a few water changes, wished I went smaller..lol

That stand is crazy clean. I'm diggin it. Enjoy the building process. As slow or as fast as you go, enjoy the journey.

Be forewarned, here lurks some savage heathens that are relentless in seeing it wet...Ive been there.

Bryce.martin23 said:
Decided lighting will 3 metal halide 400w radium bulbs paired with 2 orphek amazona 960s
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That's some serious wattage..how'd you configure your electrical?
Bryce.martin23 said:
I had to think what you were referring to. My best guess is either the skimmer or the stereo gear. I’m putting money on stereo gear.
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@Kensington Reefer is an old school soul on here...my money is on the skimmer. You posting that is like pulling up in a 72 chevelle SS...just nostalgic for some of us.

Looking forward in seeing this build come together.
 
richiev said:
From my experience, I'd toss another one under. Minimal to zero cost to do and can't hurt. If however it was to have sagging and weird seam pressure, who knows the implications. Even just a basic 2x4 standing vertically in the middle, though obviously harder with the sump in place. However, if you just kinda wedge it in, if you're right that it won't sag at all and the force is on the edges, then wedging a board in shouldn't really put any pressure on that board. If however there is some center pressure, then that board would be difficult to get out; yet if it does get difficult to get out then the board did it's job and helped!

Might be fine either way, but especially with the sand and rock in there I'd guess at a minimum that's a non optimal and a warranty voider.

Everything looks super great, so would be unfortunate if something did go awry.
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I was driving to work today thinking about this and I def think you’re right. I have some scrap 4x4s that I’ll be tossing under the tank tonight just in case. These products are too expensive to take a chance.
 
finalphaze987 said:
I feel it...I told myself this throughout the whole build. Then after a few water changes, wished I went smaller..lol

That stand is crazy clean. I'm diggin it. Enjoy the building process. As slow or as fast as you go, enjoy the journey.

Be forewarned, here lurks some savage heathens that are relentless in seeing it wet...Ive been there.


That's some serious wattage..how'd you configure your electrical?

@Kensington Reefer is an old school soul on here...my money is on the skimmer. You posting that is like pulling up in a 72 chevelle SS...just nostalgic for some of us.

Looking forward in seeing this build come together.
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Thanks, yeah I got a few folks in my giving me crap about the tank being dry for so long.
finalphaze987 said:
I feel it...I told myself this throughout the whole build. Then after a few water changes, wished I went smaller..lol

That stand is crazy clean. I'm diggin it. Enjoy the building process. As slow or as fast as you go, enjoy the journey.

Be forewarned, here lurks some savage heathens that are relentless in seeing it wet...Ive been there.


That's some serious wattage..how'd you configure your electrical?

@Kensington Reefer is an old school soul on here...my money is on the skimmer. You posting that is like pulling up in a 72 chevelle SS...just nostalgic for some of us.

Looking forward in seeing this build come together.
Click to expand...
I wont lie after I thought about the entire system being 400 gallons and at 10% I was sorta thinking maybe this is large enough but I just love when the fish can swim freely and elegantly. Stresses me out to see fish only be able to swim back and forth in front of a wall of rocks. As for power I had electricians come in and wire up two dedicated 20 amp circuits and then I can tap into the house 15 amp circuit for smaller things. Ill have 55 amps available. As for the halides im only going to run them for about 4-5 hours a day to mitigate heat and bulb life. I was watching a seminar by Austin Lefevre and he was stating that corals only need a short window of peak stimulus so the idea is to ramp up with orpheks, have halides kick on all at once or even in stages then have the orpheks ramp the tank back down. As for that skimmer....im a sucker for old school gear. I like stuff that just works, I know the hobby has evolved but some things for me I dont care about the frills and thrills skimmers being one of them. Im still the guy that thinks birdsnest is extremely pretty. Im almost thinking about stocking the tank with nothing but OG pieces.
 
If you're comfortable answering, how much did that AL for the stand cost? I assume it's cheaper than buying an equivalent, but that the raw material isn't cheap. My only comparison point is trying to buy t-slot AL which is crazy expensive.
 
richiev said:
If you're comfortable answering, how much did that AL for the stand cost? I assume it's cheaper than buying an equivalent, but that the raw material isn't cheap. My only comparison point is trying to buy t-slot AL which is crazy expensive.
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I dont mind but ill be honest I kinda forgot. Im probably around 1800 into it. If I were to do it again I would T slot tubing....if design changes over time you can raise and lower shelving or move supports or if you tank grows you only have to purchase sticks needed....once your welded up thats it man. I have to really think about everything now and hope like hell I stick to that. I only welded and fabricated this because I have the means to and I enjoy making things.
 
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