RW09903 April 11, 2022 Share April 11, 2022 Hello All, For those who do not know me, my name Ron. As a WAMAS member for nearly 10 years, I've met many reefers who helped me navigate through the sea of information. Mike, @miggs76, introduced me to the forum after I met him on Craigslist ?. Several months later, I bought my first acropora from Tony, ridetheducatti. I was at awe with the 300 gallon setup, it quickly became my dream system. Fast forward to fall 2021, Tony reached out to me to see if I was interested in buying his entire setup. The deal was practically turnkey; I couldn't refuse! The only thing I had to do was build a stand. My dream of having a 300 gallon aquarium was finally in motion... or so I thought.... and this is where my journey begins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 That’s exciting! Looking forward to your build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 Prior to moving day, I had to build a stand that could support the weight of the aquarium filled (approximately 2600 lbs). I also needed to make sure there was enough room to fit the sump and equipment underneath. To do so, I copied Tony's blueprint for his DIY stand. He used a mixture of 2x4's and 2x8's. The stand was built to support two corner overflows. I had help from a family friend and fellow reefer, Ariel. I couldn't thank him enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 (edited) All the fun began on moving day. I enlisted the help of several family members and a few people friends on WAMAS. We meet at Tony's house and brainstormed a way to get the tank out! I rented an electronic stair lifter and the WAMAS suction cups to assist in the process. It took a little while but we managed to get the aquarium to the top step. Crack! No, not the tank, but a few of his ceramic tiles. The weight of the tank plus the metal frame of the stair lifter was too much, even with plywood between the floor and the lifter. Thankfully, Tony was handy enough to repair the tiles without any issues. Back to the tank move. After we loaded the truck, the aquarium was on its way to its new home. We pulled up to my backyard and worked the tank to the top of the basement stairs. The electronic stair lifter worked getting the tank up, why not use it to bring the tank down. We strapped the tank and began the decent. First step and CRACK! Yes, the tank this time. The tank shifted ever so slightly and placed all of the weight on a corner of the back panel. I was heart broken! ? Tank never made it in the house. Something about the possibility of 300 gallons of water on the floor didn't float well with me or the wifey. Edited April 12, 2022 by RW09903 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howaboutme April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 Wow! I was just about to ask how 300G became 280G. I think you just answered it. I remember that 300G. It was very impressive. Keep it coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 Ron! Amazing, was wondering what was going on with Tony and his setup. I remember he had this giant emperator that would grunt every time in was there. It was so cool! Can’t wait to see what you do with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 While cooking dinner a couple days later, my wife chuckled while staring at me. She says "Ron, it looks like a piece of your heart chipped away with the panel of the tank." ? Wifey has jokes! On a more serious note, she wasn't lying. I was still devastated ? She knew what the build meant to me and encouraged me to look into a replacement. Unfortunately, 300 DD were on backorder everywhere. At this point, I started looking at other options, including custom. During my search, I came across the Planet Aquariums Mega Matrix line of Aquariums. I decided to inquire about the 72x30x30, 280 gallon aquarium. It fit the 72" footprint and the 6" width difference allowed me to push the stand flush with the wall. I reached out to a buddy on mine who works as an Install Manager for an aquarium build company in Wellington, DE. The comany was able to work out a quote my wife and I were comfortable with (included was delivery and tank setting). The build was on again! Since my wife was supportive of this process, I decided to name the build after the both of us. ValaWan's reef! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 2 hours ago, Abe said: That’s exciting! Looking forward to your build Thanks! I'll try to keep the content light hearted to keep thread entertaining ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 1 hour ago, howaboutme said: Wow! I was just about to ask how 300G became 280G. I think you just answered it. I remember that 300G. It was very impressive. Keep it coming! 36 minutes ago, YHSublime said: Ron! Amazing, was wondering what was going on with Tony and his setup. I remember he had this giant emperator that would grunt every time in was there. It was so cool! Can’t wait to see what you do with it! I idolized his TOTM from WAY back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 The tank is here! After placing the order back in November, it took an additional 9-10 weeks to finally arrive. As previously mentioned, I didn't want to risk CRACK v 2.0, so I had my buddies comany do the hard work this time. Boy they made it look easy. In hindsight, let gravity work for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 Public Service Announcement: Rustoleum paint stinks! Use it in a well ventilated area. I added my first fish in the process as well. They were picky eaters so I had to trade them away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 Yo, Ron, I won’t accept the children pictures. That tank is big enough for YOU to pretend to be a merman. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flooddc April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 Congrats Ron on the new dream build. Looking forward to see it filled up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkiboy April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 thanks for posting and sharing. we can keep each other accountable with kids and new reef builds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn.reef.nerd April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 Following a long Ron! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 7 hours ago, YHSublime said: Yo, Ron, I won’t accept the children pictures. That tank is big enough for YOU to pretend to be a merman. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 7 hours ago, flooddc said: Congrats Ron on the new dream build. Looking forward to see it filled up. Thank you, Chuck! I hope all is well with you and your family. 6 hours ago, monkiboy said: thanks for posting and sharing. we can keep each other accountable with kids and new reef builds! Yes sir! Thank you for encouraging me to do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 4 minutes ago, lynn.reef.nerd said: Following a long Ron! I've got nothing on your Sea Shed! ? hmm. Did I just rename your build? ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn.reef.nerd April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 Just now, RW09903 said: I've got nothing on your Sea Shed! ? hmm. Did I just rename your build? ? Ha! It has been named many things .... Lynn's Dirty SheShed .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roni April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 (edited) Glad you started the thread and didn't let the cracked tank stop you! Can't wait to follow along. Edited April 12, 2022 by roni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcrazyjoker81 April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 Looking great man! Really sucks what happened to the original tank, but the 300DD has been known to split at the seams long term, so I think it was just meant to be. Plus the Planet Aquarium tank is a much much better tank in build and quality. I guess I need to sit down at some point and start my thread too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkiboy April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 1 hour ago, wildcrazyjoker81 said: Looking great man! Really sucks what happened to the original tank, but the 300DD has been known to split at the seams long term, so I think it was just meant to be. Plus the Planet Aquarium tank is a much much better tank in build and quality. I guess I need to sit down at some point and start my thread too Yes, sir you do! Come on and join the fun! Let’s get more builds on here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro April 12, 2022 Share April 12, 2022 Excited to follow along! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 2 hours ago, roni said: Glad you started the thread and didn't let the cracked tank stop you! Can't wait to follow along. Thank you. I was close to scrapping and waiting until the kids were older. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RW09903 April 12, 2022 Author Share April 12, 2022 2 hours ago, wildcrazyjoker81 said: Looking great man! Really sucks what happened to the original tank, but the 300DD has been known to split at the seams long term, so I think it was just meant to be. Plus the Planet Aquarium tank is a much much better tank in build and quality. I guess I need to sit down at some point and start my thread too Ben Stiller binge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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